Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Experiencing Al Jardine at the intimate and elegant City Winery sure was a lot more personal than when he appears in larger halls alongside The Beach Boys or Brian Wilson. And while so many of those beloved songs by America’s leading band were surely on the program, “A Postcard From California” also gave the singer/guitarist/bassist an opportunity to share behind the scenes stories, scroll through a vintage slideshow and revisit footage from a prosperous career that began in the early 1960s.

Other memories with varying degrees of familiarity included the psychedelic archetype “Good Vibrations,” the Bessie Smith-inspired, Al Jardine-penned “Lookin’ At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)” and the “Smile” session oddball “Vegetables” (whose sound effects were gleaned by the musicians stomping on actual fruits and vegetables in a tarp-covered studio).

In fact, it was that very era where Jardine, his son Matt and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Alan Ross (Peter Asher, Badfinger) cracked open the two-hour time capsule with “Surfin’,” “Surfin’ Safari” and “Surfer Girl.” While those selections made it seem like The Beach Boys were on the trail towards being a one-trick pony, their evolution was indeed astounding throughout “Don’t Worry Baby” (sung by a sky-high Matt), “California Girls” (the headliner’s all-time favorite) and the “Pet Sounds” masterpiece “God Only Knows” (cited by Beatle Paul McCartney as possibly the greatest song ever written).

Other memories with varying degrees of familiarity included the psychedelic archetype “Good Vibrations,” the Bessie Smith-inspired, Jardine-penned “Lookin’ At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)” and the “Smile” session oddball “Vegetables” (whose sound effects were gleaned by the musicians stomping on actual fruits and vegetables in a tarp-covered studio). He also recalled being visited by fellow Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison at a London hotel where they presented the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who after meeting with the guru himself, sparked the tune “Transcendental Meditation.”

From his solo album of the same name, “A Postcard From California” was accompanied by praises of its primary collaborator Glen Campbell and his versatile abilities as a session musician (who filled in for Brian on tour decades earlier). It was followed by a triple encore of “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Barbara Ann” and “Help Me, Rhonda,” which was by far Jardine’s most memorable lead with the group and further emphasized his integral contributions to this ongoing “California Saga.”

For those who may have missed the performance (or couldn’t get enough), it was just announced that Jardine will return as the guest of Brian Wilson on November 30 when he comes to The Venue At Horseshoe Casino (on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, April 6 on Ticketmaster.com). In addition to a complete rendition of “The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album,” the entirely different set promises other holiday classics and fan favorites, which based on the noteworthy City Winery engagement, already puts this at the top of any pop/rock lover’s holiday wish list.

Click here for more photos of Al Jardine at City Winery.

For additional information on Al Jardine, visit AlJardine.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include António Zambujo (Apr. 3); Karla Bonoff (Apr. 4); Storm Large (Apr. 5); The English Beat (Apr. 6-7); Jake Shimabukuro (Apr. 8-9); Ana Moura (Apr. 10); The Baylor Project (Apr. 11); Berlin featuring Terri Nunn (Apr. 12); Jimmy Webb with Robin Spielberg (Apr. 13); Willie Nile (Apr. 14); Candlebox Acoustic Duo with Lullwater (Apr. 15-16); Whose Live Anyway (Apr. 17); Max Weinberg’s Jukebox (Apr. 18); Delbert McClinton (Apr. 19); Kevin Nealon (Apr. 20-21); Wasabassco Burlesque (Apr. 21); Jazz Brunch with Rajiv Halim Quintet (Apr. 22); Tommy Castro & The Painkillers (Apr. 22); Ryan Bingham (Apr. 23-24); Tyrone Wells (Apr. 25); Keb’ Mo’ (Apr. 26-27); A Toast to George Freeman featuring Billy Branch with Joanie Pallatto & Sparrow (Apr. 28, 12pm); Dave Barnes (Apr. 28); Red Molly (Apr. 29) and Simrit Kaur (Apr. 30). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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