The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
18th September 2009
The Indian summer evening provided the perfect backdrop to the sublime and mesmerising harmonies of Beach Boys Smile, the leading tribute to the seminal californian collective led by Brian Wilson, along with brothers Carl and Dennis, Mike Love and Al Jardine. Reproducing the perfect pitch and vocalising can be a prohibitive factor in any appreciation of such musical aristocracy, but BBS have been plying their craft for five years now, and the accuracy is there for all to hear straight from the outset as the band launched into "California Girls". The sound just got better and better as the first set progressed chronologically through all the major 60s hits including "Do It Again", "Fun Fun Fun", "I Get Around", and an inspired version of Brian Wilson's own favourite, the beautiful "Surfer Girl". The first set ended with a stunning a cappella telling of "And Your Dream Comes True" leaving the audience bathed in soaring classical harmony.
The now warmed up crowd were treated to a second set opener of "Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring", and the later hits begun to flow with "Sloop John B", "Darlin", "Heroes and villains", and a glorious, emotional version of the magical "God Only Knows", said to be Paul McCartney's all time favourite song.
The trademark surf numbers came along in the shape of "Surfin' USA" and "Surfin' Safari", which had the whole auditorium on their feet and joining the band in a singalong, spirits keeping high for "Barbara Ann" and "Don't Worry Baby". The set was almost through, the artists not being allowed to exit until Wilson's six-months-in-the-making-masterpeice "Good Vibrations" was aired as a well deserved encore. As perfect a vocal as has ever been heard in this theatre as all who were there will attest to, Beach Boys SMiLE encapsulated the look and sound of the ultimate summer group. You really could not tell the difference. A performance of perfection in a class of its own. Peerless.
Steve Miller, Banbury Guardian