The Beach Boys - Nashville Sounds: The Making of Stars and Stripes

The legendary Beach Boys are once again led by their founding genius, Brian Wilson, in a once-in-a-lifetime all-star concert. Joining with many of country music's finest musicians, the Beach Boys revisit a number of their most famous hits, bringing a new magic and personality to these classic songs. Songs (and collaborators): 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. Schmidt), 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).

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