As a founding member of the Beach Boys, Al Jardine can pick from a lengthy list of hits. But “A Postcard from California” from a solo album of the same name is personal. As he begins to recite one of the stanzas, however, Jardine falters.
“God, I can’t remember the lyrics to my own song,” he says.
It’s understandable, given the wealth of words and music logged in his memory – “Good Vibrations,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “God Only Knows” and countless others. Jardine begins to hum and the words come to him. “Now I got it,” he says in triumph.
“The music helps you remember the lyrics,” Jardine explains. “It’s your companion. I haven’t thought of it like that, but it’s true.”
The longtime Big Sur resident is excited to return with his Endless Summer Band for back-to-back concerts at the renovated Golden Bough Playhouse in Carmel, in part because it allows for some musical freedom.
Typically the band picks from the Beach Boys’ lexicon. But there is a familiarity here.
“We can do some deeper cuts,” he says. “The local audience might know some of my songs.”
Taking the Beach Boys’ exquisite harmonies to a live performance would seem a daunting task. Jardine admits that it takes the right group of vocalists and says the Endless Summer Band, which includes his son Matt, is that group. Matt Jardine, a graduate of Carmel High School, developed a pitch to his voice that suits the music.
“He does the Brian Wilson parts,” Al Jardine says. “That’s an artform in itself.”
While the Beach Boys need no introduction, one honor strangely eluded them. They received Grammy nominations for “Good Vibrations” but were edged out. “We should have won a Grammy for Pet Sounds, but that’s OK,” Jardine says, his voice brightening as he recalls the time “Help Me Rhonda” – on which he performed lead vocals – bumped the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” from number one. “I talk too much, I’m told,” he adds with a laugh. “There are so many stories you don’t know where to finish.”
And so much music.
“You can’t miss with a Beach Boys set,” Jardine observes, chuckling again. “Come on out.”
AL JARDINE’S ENDLESS SUMMER BAND performs 7:30pm Tuesday, Dec. 17 and Wednesday, Dec. 18. Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $95-$150. 622-0100, pacrep.org
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