Producer: The Beach Boys.

Reissue producer: Cheryl Pawelski, Paul Atkinson.

Recorded live in 1972 & 1973. Includes liner notes by Paul Williams.

Digitally remastered by Andrew Sandoval & Ron McMaster.

Personnel: Billy Hinsche (guitar, keyboards); Blondie Chaplin (guitar); Ed Carter (bass guitar); Mike Kowalski (drums, percussion); Ricky Fataar (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Ron McMaster.

Recording information: Summer 1973 Tour (1972-1973); Winter 1972 Tour (1972-1973).

Photographer: Ed Caraeff.

Arranger: Brian Wilson .

This vintage recording of the early-1970s Beach Boys captured live in concert highlights both their extensive songbook and the creditable job they did of reproducing complex studio arrangements live. Augmented by South African musicians Blondie Chaplin (replacing the incapacitated Brian Wilson) and drummer Ricky Fataar (Dennis Wilson had torn a ligament in his hand), the band bridges the artistic gap between its early surfing songs and its later iconic material like "Good Vibrations" and "Heroes and Villains." Its early-'70s opus, HOLLAND, is also well represented by "Sail on Sailor," "Trader," and "Leaving This Town."

Although somewhat unimaginatively titled, Beach Boys in Concert (1973) is significantly more than a hastily compiled live collection of hits. To the contrary, the set includes highlights from the band's earliest sides ("Surfer Girl") through to the groundbreaking Smile era ("Good Vibrations" and "Heroes and Villains") as well as more concurrent material ("Sail On Sailor" and "Marcella"). These are complemented by a generous representation of deeper cuts including "You Still Believe in Me" from Pet Sounds (1966), "Let the Wind Blow," which originally appeared on Wild Honey (1968), as well as later tracks "Leaving This Town" and "Funky Pretty." The song "We Got Love" was recorded and penciled in for inclusion on Holland (1973). However as the final product suggests, this laid-back rocker didn't make that release and instead makes its debut here. This incarnation of the "touring" Beach Boys captured circa 1972 and 1973 does not include contributions from founding member and spiritual leader Brian Wilson. By this time the band's personnel had expanded, featuring Blondie Chaplin (guitar/vocals) and Ricky Fataar (drums). Carl Wilson (guitar/vocals) stumbled upon the pair during their tenure in the band Flame, eventually procuring them for this harder-edged version of the group which Carl had begun molding in the absence of brother Brian. He also steps in vocally for Brian on standout renditions of "Caroline No," "Good Vibrations," and a co-lead vocal with Al Jardine (guitar/vocals) on an absolutely breathtaking "Don't Worry Baby" that easily rivals the original. Other notable performances include a poignant reading of "The Trader" as well as the upbeat driving rocker "Darlin'." Although present, Dennis Wilson (electric piano/backing vocals) offers no solo. Sadly, his most notable contribution is the brief spoken introduction to "Surfin' USA." Beach Boys in Concert was the final live album to be issued -- excluding archival vault releases -- capturing the seminal American combo as a viable, hard-working rock & roll band with timeless material instead of the parody that Mike Love so perfectly embodied during their final years. This is the way the Beach Boys deserve to be remembered. ~ Lindsay Planer