The Beach Boys created some of the most endearing pop music ever made and this 50th anniversary show finds them playing a good selection of the tunes that made them an American icon. Original group members Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson have both passed away but founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine appear in this incarnation of the group along with longtime members Bruce Johnston and David Marks. The first half of the 21-song set includes "Do It Again," "Catch a Wave," "Sloop John B," "Heroes and Villains" and a take on "I Get Around" where their famous harmony vocals sound magnificent. The roar of a hot-rod revving its engine washes over the crowd as the band launches into "Little Deuce Coupe" and then two other car-loving sing-alongs: "409" and "Shut Down." The somewhat obscure "Marcella" and "All This is That," both from the 1972 album Carl & the Passions: So Tough, are included as are recent tunes like "That's Why God Made the Radio" and "Isn't it Time." The generations-spanning crowd eats up every note but they're obviously hungry for the signature tunes and the band closes out the show with a half dozen of them: "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Help Me Rhonda," "Rock and Roll Music," "Kokomo" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." With band members all 70-ish, the Beach Boys are likely near the end of the road when it comes to performing live, making this film all the more precious.

Wilson Phillips
Live from Infinity Hall
Sony Masterworks

Considering that the three members of Wilson Phillips are all descended from rock royalty you would think that they would have honored the music made by their parents a long time ago. But Carnie and Wendy Wilson, daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson, and Chynna Phillips, daughter of Papa John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, only recently recorded Dedicated, an album of Beach Boys and Mamas & Papas covers, many of which are included here. Recorded in Connecticut in 2012, this show finds the girls laying down some sweet harmonies of their own with versions of "Dedicated to the One I Love," "Wouldn't it Be Nice," "Monday, Monday," "California Dreamin'," "God Only Knows" and a very impressive rendering of the tender Beach Boys tune "In My Room" performed with only softly-played acoustic guitar for backing. A cover of Elton John's "Daniel" is included as are the group's own "Hold On" and "You're in Love." Bonus track "Good Vibrations" is a winner too; the girls stay faithful to the song's arrangement and Carnie in particular has a blast with it, even dropping her voice into a much lower register at points to mimic the vocal sound of the original.