Brian Wilson says that with time, he’s become a stronger performer.
“It’s gotten better. We’ve had a little practice... The musicianship, the vocals have gotten better,” he said in a recent interview.
Wilson is on a joint tour with Jeff Beck. It wraps up on October 30 in Milwaukee and includes Al Jardine and David Marks.
Wilson, the 71-year-old singer and songwriter, even said he’s improved since the Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary tour last year: “It was a very sentimental experience, but the vocals are even better now.”
Wilson wouldn’t talk about the drama with Mike Love surrounding the band or what the future of the group entailed. Wilson and Love, cousins and founding members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band that helped crystalise the California sound of the 1960s, have been embroiled in a series of divisive lawsuits.
Close to three hours long, Wilson and Beck’s collaborative concert kicks off with traditional Beach Boys hits, Beck’s set and then an encore together. At one point, 17 people are onstage.
“I was totally and utterly mesmerised — the sound and the performance, all the harmonies, just mindboggling,” the English guitarist said of watching Wilson and the others perform. Beck first performed with Wilson at his MusiCares Person of the Year tribute in 2006.
Wilson also said he’s working on a new album, which he said is half-done and includes contributions from Beck.
“So far it’s mellow music, medium rock, slow rock,” he said.
