“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” if on every given Saturday night, we could drive to a local club, have a great afternoon on a terrasse in the sun, mere feet away from classic cars reminding us of yester-years, have a grand meal, a drink or two, and then bear witness to not just a tribute to Franki Valli, but to the live music of the Beach Boys.
This past Saturday night was that given night, courtesy of Maddie’s Place.
Patrons of all ages and tastes, all gathered to take in the talent, reputation, personality, and memories that the Beach Boys provide.
Songs that have carried us through the last 5 decades, taking us to sand and surf in our mind’s eyes whenever we hear any one of their songs.
Having recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, and in the process of launching a new career-spanning, six-CD collection (of which they performed the 1st single), their concert showcased the talents of their original, and newer members.
Mr. Ken Doran took the stage and introduced the crowd to the evening that was to be:
Mike Love (vocals) and Bruce Johnston (vocals & keyboards), original patriarchal Beach Boys, along with fellow members Scott Totten (guitar, vocals, and Musical Director), Randell Kirsch ( bass, vocals) Tim Bonhomme ( keyboards), John Cowsill ( drums, vocals) and Christian Love (electric & acoustic guitars, vocals), all proved the sincerity and longevity of the telltale songs that have tugged at our smiles for years.
From “Little Deuce Coupe” to “Help Me Rhonda”, from “Good Vibrations” to “Kokomo”, the Beach Boys started the evening with the crowd and fanfare of Maddie’s transfixed in their seats, but after some 40 minutes of performance, feet wanted to do more than tap, and people wanted to be up and grooving with their surf music.
And so they did.
The evening progressed with each song being like a wave, with the crowd catching each, then lax between songs, and each song got bigger and more enjoyable, and you craved the next ride.
Musically sound and true to the originals, with minor modern twists and embellishments, all band members contributed their very special tributes to pleasing and inspiring the audience into remembering the music that has brought us through their celebrated 5 decades of memories. Resonant vocal harmonies, crisp guitar tones, tight drumbeats, pulsating keyboard rhythms and pumping bass, all the things that make a Beach Boys song, oh yeah; forgot the ever present hook, the chorus that sticks in your mind and just drives you to sing along.
Songs with an ebb and flow.
That final “killer” wave had more than the crowd on the floor. It was impressive to see the Beach Boys invite Maddie’s guests on stage to dance and sing with the group. Pure audience interaction that brought smiles to everyone’s eyes, and put an extra kick in their step. Smiles carried through the end of the show, into a much merited encore, and into the talk that had couples holding hands and cuddling into the night.
Maddie’s rewarded their patrons with a bevy of fireworks after the show, that just put the whole evening over the top. They gave you the candles after the cake this time, and everyone enjoyed their cake, and then some.
Maddie’s Place does indeed Rock!
