Brian Wilson at Ipswitch Regent

BBC Suffolk's Gerald Main reviews Brian Wilson's 'Smile' concert at the Ipswich Regent on Tuesday 20th July 2004.

There's a wonderfully still moment at the start of every concert.

It's that couple of seconds just between the end of the welcoming applause for the artist and the first note of the evening. A middle-aged bloke, sitting six rows from the front, filled the void with a shout of "We love you Brian," and the Ipswich leg of Brian Wilson's World Tour had begun.

Wilson and his 10-piece multi talented band, The Wondermints, spent the first 20 minutes of his Ipswich gig in a closely-knit huddle in one corner of the stage. Opening with Hawaii, In My room and Wendy, the band passed the Beach Boys credibility test with flying colours and flying harmonies.

Brian doesn't say much these days and at times looks devoid of any emotion. However, he positively beamed when he announced he was going to play the title track from his latest CD, Gettin' in Over my Head. He's right to be proud of the new material. The songs we heard, especially Soul Searching, dedicated to his late bothers Dennis and Carl, were very good indeed.

The second half was dominated by a performance of the entire "lost" album. Smile should have been to the Beach Boys, what Sgt Pepper was to the Beatles. The album was never released but will appear later this year.

Smile begins with Heroes and Villains and 35 minutes later concludes with Good Vibrations. Brian Wilson throws everything into the production including a further eight musicians from the wonderful Stockholm Strings and Horns.

I have to admit to having not the faintest idea what the Smile concept is about. However, it's as rich and as moist as my granny's Christmas cake and I loved it.

The evening rounded off with Barbara Ann, Darlin' and Fun, Fun, Fun all of which had them rocking in the Regent's aisles.

For most of Brian Wilson's 62 years his mind has danced with demons. Last night, for two and a half hours, his voice (and his band) soared with the angels. Was I the only one to shed a tear during the gig? I think not. The bloke in the stalls was right; we still love you Brian.

PS. Brian Wilson is a world class act and The Regent has become an embarrassment. Smelly loos, peeling paint and the lack of air conditioning are unacceptable. Ipswich Borough Council is soon to take major decisions about the venue's future. One thing's for certain, the status quo is not an option.