The Oklahoman on Oklahoma City
bria...@bellsouth.net
Review: The Who hit all targets
By most laws of nature and rock 'n' roll, The Who should not sound as
powerful, elegant and full of life as the band did Friday night at the Ford
Center.
Roger Daltrey spent most of the previous week flat on his back with
bronchitis and the flu, but there he was, 63 years old, swinging his
microphone and belting out "Baba O'Riley" like he did in his 20s, with Pete
Townshend executing those perfect windmill guitar chords at his side.
There was no need to grade this performance on a curve: The Who hit all its
targets.
After a fun and loud set of retro boogie-rock from Rose Hill Drive, a
Boulder, Colo. trio that looked and sounded like an American band opening
for The Who in 1975, Townshend, Daltrey, bassist Pino Palladino, drummer Zak
Starkey and rhythm guitarist Simon Townshend launched "I Can't Explain,"
followed by another great Mod classic, "The Seeker."
Whenever Townshend and Daltrey dug deep into the catalog, the four
Jumbotrons showed classic imagery from the band's early days, boldly
illustrating the group's glorious history. But the two surviving members of
the original lineup never suffered much from comparison to their youthful
selves. They played "Fragments," from last year's reunion disc, "Endless
Wire," with as much passion as they did its stylistic forebear, "Baba
O'Riley," even if the fans were more familiar with the '60s and '70s
anthems.
Fortunately, The Who found a good balance and the near-capacity audience
cheered for the new songs and thunderously sang along on the classics. But
Daltrey and Townshend never sounded like they were just rolling out
warhorses: both men looked and sounded inspired, having fun with their
legacy and playing "Substitute" and "The Kids Are Alright" with unusual
freshness.
Nearly 30 years after his death, drummer Keith Moon's shadow still looms
large, but without a doubt, Starkey is the next best thing. The son of Ringo
Starr, Starkey received his first drum set as a gift from Moon, and he
clearly models his style after him. Palladino, a longtime sideman for
Townshend, maintained the same low-key stance as Entwistle, and capably
spooled out the monstrous bass solo on "My Generation." Simon Townshend
filled out the sound both on guitar and vocal, his harmonies closely
matching those of his older brother.
The Who closed out its main set with a superb rendering of "Won't Get Fooled
Again," and Daltrey sounded completely recovered and full of fire on the
song, knocking the signature scream to the back of the arena.
The band took a brief break, then returned for an encore dominated by their
1969 classic, "Tommy," including "Pinball Wizard," before closing with "Tea
& Theatre," a the bare-bones closing track from "Endless Wire" that
references the The Who's long, difficult but ultimately triumphant history.
With Daltrey in fine voice and Townshend fully engaged with both his
instrument and the audience, The Who proved that the men are better than
just alright.
-- George Lang
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com