and Rodriguez? Tell me he hasn't been overlooked again..

The oldest of the three Wilson brothers and the only one still alive

Rodriguez did his set by himself. Like Wilson, he had to be helped to his seat but, like Wilson, once he got going he was pretty good. He was very loose and kept saying "merci beaucoup" even after telling us twice that his was Mexican. His voice was a bit ragged but most in good form. He talked about Michigan, pot (he was happy that Washington passed its pot law and noted that he knew not all the audience partook), and talked about emotions. He said that, "Hate is too powerful an emotion for people you don't like." He also said, of his song, Sugarman, that it was "descriptive, not prescriptive" and said "be smart, don't start." He only played maybe six songs but got a standing ovation, coming and going. He praised Brian Wilson multiple times but Wilson never mentioned him.

I was very surprised that Wilson did so much Beach Boy material; I had read he had stopping performing those songs. His voice was slight but his enthusiasm great. His original band member, Al Jardine, was there as well and was in good voice. The backing band was fantastic and worked very hard (one guy playing the french horn, trombone, and other instruments). I liked his newer stuff.

As for who was there, the guy next to me? 91 plus his wife (his son and his wife had brought them). They were very happy to be there. As for Rebecca Brown's assessment about being "thick around the middle" that's true but you can't blame people for liking music that makes them happy and makes them feel young.

Listening to the music, you felt like you knew both Rodriguez and Wilson - the former more political, the latter more a dreamer - cared about their audience.

Both men are 73 and shouldn't we all be doing this well when we get there.

@1, 3: Thank you.

I saw the beach boys on Later with Jools Holland. Brian Wilson looked embalmed - its more disconcerting than watching Ozzy stammer.

I enjoyed Rodriguez but thought he talked too much. I would have loved more music. I did though think he used the specialness of Benaroya better. The venue has amazing acoustic quality. Too many times the Brian Wilson backing band, though excellent, was overpowering -- I concluded the arrangements were designed to mask Wilson's voice. After the show I listened to Brian Wilson's Shine and wish he'd played more from that masterpiece. I think so far Rebecca Brown has nailed it.

Man! 3'c comment were better than this incomplete article itself!

I was at this show, and it was a great evening. The performance of "Good Vibrations" was phenomenal. The entire audience stood during it, and I felt the floor bouncing up and down with the audience's enthusiasm. Wilson's somewhat ragged performance of "God Only Knows" inspired a heartfelt standing ovation, which obviously delighted Wilson.

I've heard rumblings that this could be Wilson's final tour. I was honored to have been there.