Live From Abbey Road (Show 12, Series 2 - 12/09/2008)

Time for another Live From Abbey Road... this week the line-up looked more interesting than it probably could be. Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson is a strange prospect - I went into the show with as open a mind as possible, and two solo artists from wonderful musical families: Martha Wainwright and Teddy Thompson. And at last the show breaks the usual mould with a special duet to end.





The set:

Brian Wilson

• Sloop John B.
• Southern California
• God Only Knows

Martha Wainwright

• Bleeding All Over You
• You Cheated Me
• Comin' Tonight

Teddy Thompson

• In My Arms
• Don't Know What I Was Thinking

Martha Wainwright and Teddy Thompson

• We Can Work It Out

I am not sure where to start with Brian Wilson. The man is a legend but why he continues to ply his trade is frustrating. He is obviously full of energy and love for music but he is not the fighting force he once was. Not by a long shot. His voice is a real problem and a noticeable weak link in his new band. The band is a credible well-intentioned group of individuals designed to simulate the former sound and not be The Beach Boys. The result of all this, I am sad to say, is a pale imitation. Wilson sits calmly in the middle of the fun loving, banter filled room staying focused but looks like he is lost in his own nostalgic world. 'Sloop John B' has a bad start so the huge entourage start again. It is a decent enough version with a great arrangement but the vocals are weak. Much better is non-BB song and plug for Wilson's new album 'That Lucky Old Sun' called 'Southern California'. It is better because there is nothing to compare it to. The end is a bit of a let down as it seems to build up to a vocal outro but just stops. They finish with the classic 'God Only Knows', again a massive disappointment with Wilson doing his best to hit the high notes and the band providing the harmonies. The introduction of a female singer in the band helps this but it is not what it should be. In some brief interview footage Brian explains that Rubber Soul influenced the Pet Sounds album and that people are more sensitive to art than Americans, trying to explain the success of his former band around the world. The fact that Brian Wilson is still alive, let alone making new music, is a considerable feat. But you can't help feeling that he is slowly losing his grip on the few skills he still has.

Martha Wainwright is becoming a successful brand. Living in the shadow of a successful father and mother and brother and forever being referred to as the fourth musician in the family, it has been a difficult road. I think she is better than Rufus but that is just my acquired taste. In between getting her nails retouched and a make-up session, and after restringing her guitar, she proficiently performs three songs from her difficult second album: 'Bleeding All Over You', 'You Cheated Me' and 'Comin' Tonight'. A decent set but she introduces the latter as an old song reworked for a new album - and that she needed strong songs. But the arrangement of the song is terrible with a weak thin piano. So it is all a bit dull. What doesn't help is she messes up at the start and they begin again (the second of the show). This just highlights again that this isn't a live performance show but a recording session with a number of different takes. What they gain by showing the screw ups I'm not sure. A poor end to an otherwise good set.

Like Wainwright, Teddy Thompson has to live up to his famous parents: Linda and Richard. He hold his own very well and describes his folks as 'two of our finest' with earnest pride. He performs latest single 'In My Arms' and then 'Don't Know What I Was Thinking'; the latter a much better vocal. He has a great voice and his music has a very Americana feel. He refers to The Beatles as a huge influence even though he is a London boy. Only two songs which is a shame but a quick preview before an Ad break reveals a surprise encore for both Thompson and Wainwright...

The two prodigies are re-introduced practising 'We Can Work It Out' at a piano - which is strange as Thompson is playing a guitar and no piano is involved. Martha tells him she feels at home leaning over a piano, back to the family days. They are good friends so the collaboration works incredibly well. Thompson lifts the key of his voice a touch and the two sing well together. If anything MW is a bit rushed at the end but a simple arrangement and a solid performance shines through. A great bonus even if the choice of song is a bit predictable.

A very entertaining show and lots to write about which is always a good thing. More new duets would be great but I suppose an entire show of Beatles covers would be too obvious and yield mixed results. Something between the two is an acceptable compromise?