Al Jardine breaks out the hits at Sony Hall

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Mar 19, 2022

Jardine was joined by his son Matt, as well as Wendy and Carnie Wilson on his ‘Family & Friends Tour’ to perform classics by The Beach Boys and Wilson-Phillips.

It was a chilly weeknight in New York City, but it was all smiles and sunshine at Sony Hall on March 8. Al Jardine brought a little slice of California to the Empire State on the last night of his “Family & Friends Tour.” Jardine was joined by his son Matt, as well as Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson-Phillips fame. The backing band included former mainstays of The Beach Boys’ touring band, Ed Carter and Bobby Figueroa, as well as Probyn Gregory who plays with Brian Wilson’s band, and Debbie Shair who is a former member of Heart.

When Jardine spoke to The New School Free Press earlier this year, he was still crafting a setlist for the trek which, to the crowd’s delight, consisted mostly of hits by The Beach Boys, a group that Jardine co-founded 60 years ago with Brian Wilson. Wilson-Phillips songs, back wall fan favorites like “Wake the World” and the title track from Jardine’s only full-length solo album, “A Postcard from California” were sprinkled throughout the show.

The audience wined and dined seated at tables that packed the underground venue, often abandoning their seats to dance to Beach Boys mainstays like “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” In typical Beach Boy fashion, the group delivered their harmonies in pristine condition.

The band and the concertgoers were in good spirits. In between songs, Jardine shared banter with the crowd.

“This place reminds of The Cavern Club,” Jardine remarked, comparing Sony Hall to the famed underground venue in Liverpool where The Beatles cut their teeth.

Richie Cannata, who runs the Monday night open jam at The Bitter End and most famously played saxophone on several Billy Joel albums, joined the group for a rendition of The Del-Vikings’ “Come and Go with Me” and The Beach Boys’ 1965 classic, “Help Me Rhonda,” which celebrated its anniversary on the night of the performance.

At the performance’s conclusion, I had the opportunity to chat with Jardine before the group headed home.

“Hey Al, did you know it’s been 56 years since you guys released Help Me Rhonda?” I asked him.

“57,” the Beach Boy corrected me.

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Carnie Wilson, Al Jardine, Wendy Wilson and Matt Jardine (left to right) delivered Beach Boys classics to the crowd on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Probyn Gregory, Carnie Wilson, Al Jardine, Wendy Wilson and Matt Jardine (left to right) delivered Beach Boys classics to the crowd on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Carnie Wilson, Probyn Gregory, Al Jardine, Bobby Figueroa and Wendy Wilson (left to right) delivered Beach Boys classics to the crowd on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Carnie Wilson, Al Jardine, Ed Carter, Wendy Wilson and Matt Jardine (left to right) delivered Beach Boys classics to the crowd on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Richie Cannata, Al Jardine and Wendy Wilson and (left to right) pictured on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Richie Cannata joined the group on renditions of The Beach Boys classic, “Help Me Rhonda,” and “Come and Go with Me,” by the Del Vikings. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” The Wilson sisters, Carnie (left) and Wendy (right) pictured on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood

Al Jardine stopped by Sony Hall on his “Family and Friends Tour.” Probyn Gregory, Carnie Wilson, Al Jardine, Ed Carter, Wendy Wilson and Matt Jardine (left to right) delivered Beach Boys classics to the crowd on March 8. Photo by Johnny Knollwood