SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BRIAN WILSON – LIVE AT THE ROXY (25th ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)

BRIAN WILSON
LIVE AT THE ROXY (25th ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
OGLIO RECORDS

It is hard to believe that Brian Wilson’s first live solo album was released 25 years ago, following his successful tour for his 1998 solo album, Imagination. This tour featured a brilliant backing band and a very energetic (and often funny) Brian Wilson. His voice was in top form, and the backing band provided him with the perfect foundation. It was only fitting that his first live album was recorded at an iconic venue (Los Angeles’s The Roxy), and the resulting album, Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy. When it was released 25 years ago, it was critically acclaimed but not the commercial success that Wilson and the record label had hoped for. There were also different versions released in the U.K. and Japan, which no doubt confused and frustrated collectors and fans. But now, to celebrate Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy, Oglio Records has released the definitive version of the album.

He actually performed two concerts at the venue, on April 7th and 8th of 2000, in front of two sold-out crowds. He treated the audience to a lot of Beach Boys’ hits, some solo material, and some very interesting covers. The shows were well recorded and sound fantastic. While Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy is really the best of both shows, it gives the impression of one concert. Wilson makes a few light-hearted comments throughout, and thankfully, they are kept in. “We are going to slow it down, unplug and do some unplugged songs,” he told the audience. “And then, maybe later, we can rock out,” he said enthusiastically. You know he is going to rock out on some classics later.

There are some lost gems, like Wilson’s solo song “The First Time,” which is perfect, with backing vocals that bring the song to a whole new level. The same can be said for “Back Home,” a lesser-known Beach Boys song, which pulls on the heartstrings. It also demonstrates that Wilson was a genius in performing and writing. The Beach Boys’ hits are here, but some less obvious choices, like “Do It Again,” rival the originals. There is an energy here that is not present on the original studio recording. “Let’s get cooking here,” Wilson said as he got the audience to participate. It is so fantastic hearing him really embracing the song, and the audience having so much fun.

Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy is a beautiful souvenir of Wilson performing live. His voice is not always perfect, but it is honest, and the slight imperfections make the album even more enjoyable. He is clearly having fun, and once he knows the audience is on his side, he lets loose. The same can be said for “All Summer Long,” which explodes with those The Beach Boys-esque harmonies; it sounds incredible. I am pretty sure there was not a dry eye house when he launched into “God Only Knows.” It is sublime. Wilson also covers a portion of Barenaked Ladies’ “Brian Wilson” (to wild appreciation from the crowd) and “Be My Baby,” which is just fantastic. “Johnny B Goode” is also fun to listen to.

We lost Wilson this year (June 11th, 2025), and it was a huge blow to the world of music. Thankfully, we have Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy – 25th Anniversary Expanded as a brilliant way to remember him and his music. This is the most complete version of the live album to be released. Oglio Records has added some material from that tour as bonus tracks, but the star of Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy – 25th Anniversary Expanded is ultimately Brian Wilson, his piano, and his voice. It delivers what is promised, and it is an incredibly well put-together live album. It is available, for the first time, on vinyl, and the overall sound and presentation is absolutely astounding. This is the side of Wilson that is loved. He rolls out numerous hits from The Beach Boys, and you’re frequently reminded of just how iconic Wilson was as a writer. Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy – 25th Anniversary Expanded is a brilliant album and one that, no doubt, Wilson would have loved.

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