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The Beach Boys had the presence of mind to film rehearsals and backstage patter as well as performances while in Nashville making
Stars and Stripes, Vol. 1 in 1996. The resulting film,
The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds, features the Boys with some of country music's heaviest hitters, including Willie Nelson (who croons "The Warmth of the Sun" with gentle ease), Rodney Crowell (who rocks with "Sail On, Sailor"), and Lorrie Morgan (who delivers a cheerleader-peppy "Don't Worry Baby"). Performing with the other artists seems to focus the Boys, whose harmonies sound better here than they have in years. Many of the country singers, while enthusiastic, give performances on the bland side, though one segment stands out as particularly moving: an obviously frail Tammy Wynette valiantly tackling "In My Room," voice cracking, with harmony from Brian Wilson, himself appearing unfocused and fragile. And fans will appreciate the last significant footage of Carl and Brian Wilson singing together.
--Anne Hurley
Additional features
Selections include:
- Don't Worry Baby--Lorrie Morgan
- The Warmth of the Sun--Willie Nelson
- Little Deuce Coupe--James House
- Sail On, Sailor--Rodney Crowell
- Caroline, No--Timothy B. Schmit
- 409--Junior Brown
- Sloop John B--Collin Raye
- Long Tall Texan--Doug Supernaw
- I Get Around--Sawyer Brown
- Be True to Your School--Toby Keith
- Help Me, Rhonda--T. Graham Brown
- In My Room--Tammy Wynette
- I Can Hear Music--Kathy Troccoli
- 1996 International Country Music Fanfair
- End credits