SECTION: Pg. 16
LENGTH: 582 words
HEADLINE: An All-star Tribute to Brian Wilson
BYLINE: PHIL GALLO
BODY:
(Concert special; TNT; Wed. July 4, 8 p.m.)
Filmed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City by TNT, Radio City Entertainment
in association with Rachlin-Leaf-Ramone Prods. Executive producers, Brian
J. Diamond, Sandy Shapiro; producers, David Leaf, Chip Rachlin; co-producer,
Frank Garritano; director, Bruce Gowers; writer, David Leaf; pre-taped packages
producer, John Hoffman; production designer, Bruce Rodgers; art director,
Joseph Kale; lighting, Simon Miles; musical director, Darian Sahanaja. 2
HOURS. Performers: Harlem Boys Choir, Ricky Martin, Paul Simon, Go-Gos,
Carly Simon, David Crosby, Jimmy Webb, Vince Gill, Evan and Jaron, Aimee
Mann and Michael Penn, Billy Joel, Darius Rucker, Matthew Sweet, Wilson
Phillips, Elton John, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Jubilant Sykes, Brian Wilson.
Presenters: George Martin, Dennis Hopper, Cameron Crowe, Rachel Hunter.
Host: Chazz Palminteri.
Taken back to back, the performances of "I Just Wasn't Made for These
Times" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn and "Help Me Rhonda"
by Billy Joel telegraph the genius of Beach Boys brainchild Brian Wilson.
Mann and Penn invest their own emotional response to the Wilson/Tony Asher
work and, without altering the melody, tempo or tenet of the tune, they
make it singular and personal. Joel tries to duplicate the record and doesn't
quite hit the mark --- but there's no way to stop the sentiment or the energy
of the number. While one has to wonder what sort of audience TNT will attract
on the Fourth for "An All-star Tribute to Brian Wilson," the cable
web has outdone itself with this marvelous package.
The only weak spot comes at the beginning as Ricky Martin does a rickety
rendition of "California Girls" that seemingly draws its inspiration
from anonymous theme park performers across America. After that, it's clear
sailing: Performances are consistently sharp; pre-taped packages get to
the heart of the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson saga, rightfully including brothers
Carl and Dennis as well as the dark periods; and the presenters give honest,
heartfelt speeches that illuminate Wilson's contributions to music and fuel
the Wilson fetishists, of which there are many these days, in the TV audience.
Filmmaker Cameron Crowe says he gives a copy of "Pet Sounds" to
cast members whenever he makes a movie. "Here's what it's like to live,
here's what it's like to grow up," he says, recalling the speech he
has given to actors whenever he presses the album into their hands. The
concert does a pretty good job of reflecting what he sees in Wilson's greatest
work.
While most performers appear solo, one pairing makes for particularly compelling
viewing. Vince Gill and David Crosby, both in wonderful voice, do a marvelous
take on "Surf's Up" --- wouldn't it be nice if Crosby got Nash
to take over the high parts and add it to a CSN set down the road?
Quality perfs are enhanced by Wilson's backup band featuring L.A. pop-rockers
the Wondermints and Beach Boy emeritus Jeffrey Foskett on guitar and vocals.
Wilson, himself, continues to have that distanced look in his eyes and it
can be disarming to those who haven't seen him perform over the last three
years. Regardless, he does a fine job on "Heroes and Villains"
and then leading sing-alongs of "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Barbara
Ann," "Surfin' USA" and "Fun Fun Fun."
John Hoffman's historical packages are loaded with stellar footage and stills
that complement the concert and commentary. Sound quality is on par with
the perfs.
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