Brian Wilson brings iconic sounds to Mid-State Fair
Brian Wilson playing at the Mid-State Fair. Photo by Brittany App.
Turning 50 has never felt better as Paso Robles helps celebrate Pet Sounds
–As the headliner of the California Mid-State Fair’s annual Evening of Music & Wine concert, Brian Wilson delivered a nostalgic, fun-filled night to the crowd that filled the Chumash Grandstand Arena on Friday night. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys’ 11th studio album, Pet Sounds, Wilson and his band, including special guests Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, had fans singing and bopping along to a slew of hits.
Opening act, local talent Inga Swearingen, and her band filled the start of the evening with their melodies as the wine flowed and guests mingled with one another, many dressed in themed attire at elaborately decorated tables. When Wilson took the stage, the beach party kicked into full gear. Starting off with “Heroes and Villains,” the band soon had the crowd clapping along and bouncing colorful beach balls in the air with their next song, “California Girls.”
The fans were out of their chairs, up on their feet, and dancing along to “Dance, Dance, Dance” and “Do You Wanna Dance” and, when the band played “I Get Around,” a conga line could be seen moving through the crowd. “Surfer Girl,” written by Wilson at the age of 19, “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Wild Honey,” and “Sail on Sailor,” with Chaplin tackling vocals and delivering extended electric guitar solos on the latter two, were spectacular.
As the band moved into their Pet Sounds hits, Wilson introduced Matthew Jardine, “he’s part of the band and he’s family.” Al Jardine’s son, he provided outstanding vocal accompaniment, high falsettos, and took over lead vocals on several songs including “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Ranked No.1 in MOJO magazine’s Greatest Albums of All Time and No. 2 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Pet Sounds was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
The night continued with “Sloop John B,” couples slow-dancing to “God Only Knows,” and rocking out to “Good Vibrations” and “Help Me Rhonda.” The rock and roll sounds continued with “Barbara Ann,” “Surfin’ USA,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Ending the evening with the love song, “Love and Mercy,” Wilson and the band gave the Paso Robles crowd a concert to remember.
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