Surf's Up

[11maebelle]

Brian mentions in the liner notes to the newly released SMiLE Sessions that he absolutely adored Vince, Jimmy, and David's rendition here, and it played a major role in him believing that he could release the SMiLE sessions and people would love it. I see Vince Gill in a whole new light after hearing this, and am so happy that Van Dyke Parks was acknowledged as well. Brian is other worldly. Anything he's ever done is gold.

[rppvt]

The transition into the child is the father of the man is as always Sublime. Angelic.

[Baribrotzer]

Interesting - on the high notes, Vince sounds a bit like Roy Orbison.

[betterdays105]

As, Albert Einstein said after heading the then 16 year-old violinist Yehudi Menuhin play, "Now I know there is a God in heaven."

[stormbird06]

Wow...and wow again. I always thought Vince Gill was some lame country singer. I never heard any of his music before. Vince Gill's rendition of Surf's Up is awesome. This guy can sing.

[SuperAde1974]

this is a difficult song to sing, and no one on Earth could ever do it like Brian did. Kudos to Vince for pulling this off. I need to go listen to this on vinyl now...

[deconstructionist67]

who's that loser singing?

[lejoe48]

Great version. Great work. GREAT PERFORMANCE BY VINCE GILL !! Jimmy Webb, David Crosby and Brian Wilson are 3 of my heros. Thanks a lot.

[krittysdad]

so amazingly beautiful! Brian was and still is a musical genius! You dont hear harmonies like this anymore and its a damn shame!!!

[jla00]

What a vocal range Vince Gill has. And that is nothing compared to his amazing guitar playing and song writing, let alone producing, He is a true music lover's dream!

[jpaparozzi]

As a Beach Boys' fan from the beginning, I applaud these guys for doing such an incredibly beautiful song so well, and I applaud Vince Gill's falsetto; it's awesome! And remember, Brian approved this rendition of Surf's Up, so let's give Brian and Van Dyke Parks the credit to allow their song to be performed by three talented men.

[TumblingDice1972]

shows what brian could have been in the seventies and eighties and nineties if he didnt do drugs,he could have continued performing beyond this level that we see here

[mangoshakess]

@TumblingDice1972 he lost his voice cause he went crazy and "didn't want to sound like a girl but a man". not the drugs. oh and who used to beat into his head to be a man? his dad. hmm.

[moonscore]

(0:13) "Hand handem' summed along, oh.." Haha, that is a mouthful.

[idic5]

wow, we get to see dennis hopper at the end in this clip in an interesting statement about BW and survivoring. the 60s did not kill dennis - his prostrate did.

[idic5]

who is singing here and when was it recorded? who is on the piano?

failed falsettos. failed surf's up hmm hmm. 1966 is still the best.

the last part , however, with the bass and the layered voices IS good and , lazurus like , makes this version.

[MrCountrypop]

@idic5

Jimmy Webb is on the piano.

[hyperguy61]

This song is impossibly beautiful. Brian Wilson is pure genius.

[TheAcquistocialis]

cool music, I liked

[64bbfan]

I find that they're rushing the song and losing the essence and stillness of the phrasing; extremely difficult to perform though give them credit for the attempt!!!

[farmaciaitalia]

meglio vedere una volta di sentire rendering!

[luvmusic1977]

This song is more then music, it's art

[jakeleroi]

How could anyone not appreciate the difficulty of singing this song live - and not recognize that Vince Gill did a masterful job? Is there anyone else on the stage that night who could have done it? No! Beautiful harmonies with David and Jimmy, but Vince stands out as the star of the show. And I am not a fan of his country stuff.

All you haters need to find something else to do.

[papadoorunrun]

@jakeleroi Actually, yes, there is someone else on the stage that could do as fine a job as Vince - Jeffrey Foskett. He's singing background and playing the bells. Jeffrey is the music director for Brian's band and also performs with Papa Doo Run Run, when Brian's not performing. But you are right - Vince Gill did a masterful job.

[luvmusic1977]

perhaps, the greatest song, ever

[moonscore]

@luvmusic1977 Yes, you're right. I often wonder, if I had to choose between being the one who wrote this one song or the entire beatles catalogue, what I would choose.

[timmeehhhh12]

@moonscore that's funny, for a second i just thought that too

[adwolf16]

To those criticizing the bassist's work in the outro, it really isn't his fault. He's definitely loud in the mix, but the part he's playing is almost the exact same part Brian wrote for the piano. It's not as clear on the album because of the sea of vocals on top, but listen to the left hand part on Brian's demo of the song. FYI, I met the bassist after a concert a few years ago, and he was (along with the rest of the band, including Brian) very gracious and deeply admired the Beach Boys' music.

[TaylorConrad8098]

i agree he's following the left hand part, it would be hard to interpret what to do with a full band.

[waterswheel]

""Without Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper wouldn't have happened ... Pepper was an attempt to equal Pet Sounds."

- Sir George Martin"

In its willingness to abandon formula in favor of structural innovation, the introduction of 'classical' elements in the arrangement, production concepts in terms of overall sound ... when it first appeared Pet Sounds became an instant classic." - Philip Glass

"That ear of his should be in the Smithsonian." - Bob Dylan

[denniswilsonfan]

now this was a tribute, the best I've heard well except when Jeff Beck played this song in tribute to Brian as well, but vocally no one can touch this. I never knew vince gill could hit high notes like that, I just wonder if perhaps he clamped his balls with a vice, thats a joke don't hate on me lol. I thought it was funny, DC looked like he wanted to say "lemme sing dammit" lol love it ty for the post. lol

[tindrum]

That was pure art.

[taylor8492]

WOW !!

[lisagaryk]

Vince GIll is one of the four or five best voices in all of popular music. His performance of this incredibly difficult melody and the arcane lyrics is breathtaking. And how incredible is that band???? They're the same folks on the SMiLE DVD release -- Brian Wilson's long-time touring band -- and they are spectacular, both vocally and instrumentally.

[Parrambusties]

Very, very, very beautiful song... Greetings from Barcelona, Spain

PS: I see that no one can pronounce "adieu" ;)

[jackhillty]

I defy any of you to sing "collumnated ruins domino"

one of the most beautiful and numinous songs ever written

[Cataclysm135]

That is a pretty high note on "domino". I am able to do it now but I have to belt it out or else my voice cracks if it's too quiet.

[ErleMichael]

True, beautiful and challenging

[sinmike1]

I have been a fan of this song from the early bootleg to the Beach Boys "Surf's Up".

It is a masterpiece.

Vince Gill is the best vocal EVER.

Jim Webb playing piano, who wrote

McArthure Park (mispell) , By the time I get to Phoniex,Wichaca Lineman, Galverson and so much more.He could never sing , but what a song writer.

And the great David Crosby, raspy voice-yes- but all these men salute Brian so well

[GlAsSaRm]

great song nice tribute well done all

[dvs1572]

The bass player got way to funky there towards the end. I think it takes a lot of ego for a musician to show off their skills instead of playing whats best for the song.The bass player here is prime example of that. It nearly canceled those gorgeous harmonies there at the end.

[danjugle]

Actually he was just about note-perfect relative to the versions of this song that I know. To me, that repeating bass / left-hand piano figure is probably the most striking part of the tune, angular and powerful under the flowing harmony of the vocals. I don't hear any overplaying here at all.

[hasbeenshaken]

@dvs1572 thank you for pointing a finger to the bass, which in deed comes in too funky. That makes the performance more like a cover than like a tribute. Anyway, I love this tribute, and especially because of the spirit that mister David Crosby brings to it.

[at0miklust]

jimmy webb plays a mean piano

[caithnesscath]

Vince Gill was great with this one - Yes, Jimmy Webb was on the piano... and that harmony '...A CHILDREN'S SONG... WAS absolutely SPECIAL - Look at the body language ...David Crosby new it! Thanks, Brian Wilson tribute - Live at the Roxy was stunning. cc

[ch473]

ugh, what a horrible cover.

[artizhan]

i want david crosbys mustache

[epicmeade]

that was a Fabulous rendition of Surfs Up. i remember watching this tribute when it first aired and thinking that most of the acts were butchering the songs. and then Vince Gill and David Crosby came out and really did justice to this beautiful song. i think the only other performers who came close that day were Amie Mann & Michael Penn.

[Mikemaniax]

No sorry, Vince Gill ruins it. His voice doesn't sound right for this.

[zzzzTomzzz]

Not true - Paul Simon did a great version of 'Surfer Girl' -Brian's very first song

[jbartz]

what does this have to do with Paul Simon?

[zzzzTomzzz]

I took issue with the comment "most of the acts were butchering the songs". I recommend the DVD - Tribute to Brian Wilson" to anyone who likes the music

[zzzzTomzzz]

Paul Simon, Elton John, Billy Joel among others were part of this tribute for Brian.

[Picardy]

That was really lovely. Thank you for sharing this footage. Love and peace to you.

[gary32080]

Close, but not quite there ....A gutsy attempt however.

[IainB1511]

Vince Gill does an amazing job of singing this, if you want Vince Gill and David Crosby to do Brian and Carl Wilson, sorry it just is not going to happen. These 3 men did a good job of making the song their own but remaining faithful as possible to the original, however How I wish Smile had been released as a Wilson Brothers Symphony.

[streyper]

@IainB1511

You are so right. If anyone could have even attempted to do this song, it's Vince Gill, just for his range alone. That being said, there is nothing, NOTHING like the original with Carl's incredible lead vocal. Carl's voice can never be imitated. I too wish that Smile had been released as a Wilson Brother's Symphony. I am a huge fan of the three Wilson brothers, and the two voices I loved the most (Carl and Dennis) are gone. It's not right.

[runnersdialzero33]

Vince Gill very much did not nail this. At all.

[uscgccampbell]

What could be more beautiful than a stunning musical piece by Brian Wilson, sung to perfection by one of the most beautiful voices in the universe. This is absolutely one of the prettiest songs I have ever heard.

You really need to see this entire tribute at Radio City Music Hall.

[BeachBoysGuy]

' The laughs come hard in Auld Lan Syne'

Indeed they do. JHP

[falcon652004]

Vince Gill the voice of an angle

[tajto]

ooh alto flute

[tpv525]

Oh, man, this is mesmerizing. One of Vince Gill's best performances. Thanks for posting this.

[newyorktown]

nice to this song again.

brian great whriter.

[Birkebine]

No, I agree totally with BillyMacQ. I've been following the BBs for five decades, and have little time for country music, but Gill aces this.

[Animainiac85]

Who's on the piano? He looks familiar but I can't remember his name.

[crimsonrush]

The very wonderful and brilliant Jimmy Webb. Nice guy too! He wrote to me!!!!! :)

[uscgccampbell]

I believe the guy on the piano is Jimmy Webb....im not certain...

[cgarofani]

meaning that vince gill is a country singer, of course.

[cgarofani]

I'm not really into country, but Vince Gill's voice is something out of this world. So tight, so smooth and pleasant.

[ratbasket]

Big Ups to Vince! Not only did he do a good job singing but he memorized those totally obscure lyrics.

[msa1985]

vince sucks

[GAEBASTA]

thank you brian...

[Plato12345]

what a difference a DAYvid makes

[marktshark6]

What an amazing song. Vince is no Brian but who is? It's about a good a cover as it can be. David Crosby is always great.

[chefjk]

MMMMMMMMMmmmmTHANKS!

[sharbohemia]

Beautiful video... very moving.  Incredible. Thanks for posting. ~S

[shawnuel]

I love Vince's vocal too. I think his vibrato is very even and tight. Crosby has a more pronounced vibrato when he employs it. Still sounds good. Also...someone earlier said that Carl sand the original version of this. That isn't true. Carl's appeared on the Surf's up album in 1972. Brian cut the "smile" sessions version.

[ollbe976]

This is a pretty good cover, does not really do the song justice, but it gets better after 02:50.

[Iowahawk7]

Brian Wilson deserves compliments for any number of reasons, but how about a mention for brother Carl? It was he, after all, who sang the lion's share of the incredible original Beach Boys version.

[greekpoet1]

Can't tell you how swept away we were by Surf's Up then. Popular music had not heard music attempting to be higher art. You want to play me a better live version of this - I'm listening!

[caraphyllis]

Vince Gill hits some beautiful notes here, but it only underscores how incredible Brian Wilson's voice was when he originally sang this song. And what a piece of art it is.

[jaredgetsacookie]

This a hard song to sing, especially LIVE. I gave it a go myself (look on my channel for the video). Vince did a great job though.

[jpaparozzi]

As a Beach Boys' fan since I started surfing 40+ years ago, I have always loved this song, and when I heard that Vince Gill was going to sing it in this tribute, I was thrilled because he has a perfect voice for this difficult song. Only he and Brian Wilson can do the first part justice. I love David Crosby but he was asked to sing what he does best: the harmony at the end. It's just a great cover and I am glad someone put it on You Tube.

[RonPal1017]

Vince Gill's performance on this song is amazing! He has such a beautiful voice, which seems to be made for this song as well as for "The Warmth of the Sun". For all you critics out there, even David Crosby said (on the DVD) that Vince's voice was the best in the business and that he handled the most difficult parts of this song brilliantly.

[Holdenon3]

I thought Crosby did okay. He seemed like the only one there who actually understood the lyric.

[hasbeenshaken]

agree - from the moment he comes in I felt the song gets it's meaning back

[dvs1572]

what does it mean? seems the song could mean lots of things. It's such a heavy song in that sense.

[Treguard]

Sambles! That singer's comically terrible. Kudos to whoever said it sounds like English isn't his first language- made me smile :)

[futuredoowoper]

the singer uses to much vibrato. sounds like shit. but the song was played well. nothing against the singer but this is not the right song for him.

[kranzgebaeck]

Totally agree. Quite nice, though.

[slvrbac326]

Awsome. One and all did an incredible job. And Wilson and Parks, if you see this, you two are and always will be the MEN! You make me cry, Brian!

[betterdays105]

I have always loved this song and this version was beautiful. (Can the critics give it a break.)

[warnakey]

i hate this version.

[annarrr]

I'm just so glad that this song exists. Although not this particular version! I agree that the phrasing is mainly what's wrong. Too many vocal warbles makes it sound like it's part of some stage musical. The whole point of this song, and with many great songs, is that it's sung plainly. The simplicity of the vocal is what makes the original so powerful and beautiful. Vocal gymnastics don't convey any emotion at all, in fact, quite the opposite.

[coperblu]

sorry but this is a horrible rendition of one of the greatest songs ever written. it's kinda' cabaret surf's up. i do believe only brian can do it and he can't even do it properly now as his voice is shot, but the original...stunning!!! something about vdp and brian wilson together always makes me cry. hopper is great!

[macknife1]

posts dissing Vince Gill on this entry should be dismissed..great job by all involved

[Fluidvirgo]

Vince Gill should can it with that awfully exaggerated vibrato. I agree with the critical listeners above, awful choice for a lead vocalist.

[ascrodin]

David Crosby should have sang the entire song himself.

[ledbeachbeatle]

Really great version

[jla00]

Beautiful. Vince Gill amazes me. This song is next to impossible to cover, and he did an incredible job. His voice is a pure as anything I have ever heard!

[clemzzz]

he's singing like english is not his first language ..

a lesson on how to turn one of the greatest songs ever into something that sounds like it should be in an andrew Lloyd webber musical

BEYOND BELIEF A BROKEN song !!

[JoshSitar]

Yep, I agree. They took the life out of the song and slowed it down and phrased things poorly; even David Crosby messed it up.

[BillyMacQ]

You're all out of your f*cking minds. These guys took on a song that is almost impossible to sing like the original and did more than a credible job of it. No other singer in the world could come close to what Vince Gill does here.

[ascrodin]

who is this guy singing? really bad version of a great song

[filmschool614]

I agree with floatingdebris.

even tho the guys voice covers the range, his phrasing really sucks. the worst.

[floatingdebris]

What a pitiful voice to choose for a tribute. How to ruin a beautiful song.

[xlouhx]

nothing but beauty being rehearsed

[Tonysharpe121]

I have the DVD, "TNT Tribute to Brian Wilson" - it's superb! A great souvenir for all fans of Brian Wilson / Beach Boys.

[jackkieo]

what's the song done by amiee mann in the dvd?...all i remember is that is was awesome!

thanks,

[RonPal1017]

That song was "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times", from the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" album. I love Aimee's version of that song too. Pretty awesome performance!

[cdmaven]

I've seen this clip a few times and I am still amazed at Vince Gill's astonishing vocal range. A stunning performance. Thanks for the post!

[thegouster]

this is beautiful