roadhse ma Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Review by Lee Zimmerman of Palm Beach Broward TimesAbridged ...The truth is, Roger still looks remarkably vibrant these days, still tousle-haired, tanned, and boasting a youthful flush that belies his age. Ever agile, he's still a confident front man, able to twirl a microphone without fumbling it and wail away on harp, competently strum a guitar and even pick away on ukulele when he has to. If his voice doesn't quite pack a youthful bluster or muster the bravado it once did, it still comes close to hitting the high notes and expressing an undiminished authority. Besides, any lapses are more than made up for by the way he tempers his tone with sentiment and sensitivity. The Tommy track list and its added material span more than two hours and demand both force and nuance, traits that Daltrey still seems to possess. That's fortunate because it was apparent that those who filled the nearly sold-out auditorium were devoted Who fanatics that expected no less. And on that score Daltrey didn't disappoint. He tore through Tommy with a veracity that rivaled his performances of old, turning signature songs like "Pinball Wizard," "I'm Free" and the soaring conclusion, "We're Not Gonna Take It" into the obvious anthems that Townshend had always intended them to be. The crowd erupted at the first strums that signaled "Pinball Wizard" and by the time Tommy reached its conclusion with the famous "Listening to you" refrain, the audience was on its feet and cheering along. Likewise, when Daltrey augmented the Tommy tunes with Who classics like "Baba O'Reiley," "Who Are You," "I Can See For Miles" and "Going Mobile" (mostly sung by Simon Townshend, who replicated his brother's vocals to a tee), the audience was equally inspired, responding with a frenzy that matched the reactions the Who once received in their heyday. A few unexpected entries were also slipped into the set list, among them "Giving It All Away," the Leo Sayer-penned song that appeared on Daltrey's initial solo album and a track which he claimed he had never sung before in concert. A Johnny Cash medley found him effective in a lower register, while a take on Taj Mahal's "Rider" practically became an opus all its own. And when he turned a lilting read of another of his solo standouts, "Without Your Love," into an appreciative thank you for fan devotion, Daltrey's tender touch prevailed. Still, it was that hoary rock opera that all had come to witness, and the reward was a reading that was both credible and compelling. If Daltrey and his deaf, dumb and blind boy alter-ego are no longer as inseparable as they once seemed, he proved he's still adept at slipping back into character. And for him, it's a lot less awkward than it would be for any of us who might opt to reclaim our former selves from 40 years before. Unlike our old bellbottoms and tie-dyed tees, in Daltrey's capable hands, Tommy still wears well. Critic's Notebook Personal bias: I'd rank the Who among my top five favorite bands of all time, and having caught several concerts by the group's original foursome, a performance by only one of their members might pale in comparison. Still, seeing one quarter of that combo is better than seeing none, and in his role as front man, Daltrey carries the legacy well. Random detail: Since this was the first date of his new tour, it was only natural that there were a few flubs, mainly in terms of some occasional false starts. "There were a few senior moments," Daltrey admitted at Tommy's conclusion. By the way: Having guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete's brother) on board lends further credence to this revival. The rest of the band was equally impressive. In fact, Daltrey's backing band -- Townshend, Frank Simes (guitar), Scott Deavours (drums), Jon Button (Bass) and Loren Gold (Keyboards) -- is the best Who cover band one would ever want to see. Kudos to Deavours in particular for ably replicating Keith Moon's reckless, relentless technique. Set List Tommy OvertureIt's a Boy1921Amazing JourneySparksEyesight to the BlindChristmasCousin KevinThe Acid QueenFiddle AboutPinball WizardThere's a Doctor I've FoundGo to the Mirror BoyTommy Can You Hear MeSmash the MirrorSensationI'm FreeMiracle CureSally SimpsonWelcomeTommy's Holiday CampWe're Not Gonna Take ItI Can See For MilesWho Are YouBehind Blue EyesGiving It All AwayDays of LightRiderGoing MobileJohnny Cash MedleyYoung Man BluesBaba O'RileyWithout Your LoveBlue, Red and Grey Footnote Saw him w/this Band 18 mo's Ago ; Money Well Spent (Seeing again Sat.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 hopefully i get approved for this show in Boston this saturday. the show i caught @ House of Blues two years ago was a lot of fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roadhse ma Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 hopefully i get approved for this show in Boston this saturday. the show i caught @ House of Blues two years ago was a lot of fun.I was there as well Loved the Band we chatted it up w/ another Townsend Brother milling about and Setlist of other tunes looks similarim in Some deals to be had on other websites.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Not a bad setlist at all. Wouldn't mind seeing him, but there's no show near me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I was there as wellLoved the Band we chatted it up w/ another Townsend Brother milling about and Setlist of other tunes looks similarim in Some deals to be had on other websites.. Simon Roger did not sound very well on the shows I have heard. Maybe it is hit or miss. He is also selling live cds of each show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 He is also selling live cds of each show.The Who have done that for years now. And I think it's an amazing idea. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 The Who have done that for years now. And I think it's an amazing idea. I have one of the early ones - Blues to The Bush (2 cd set, 1999). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Muzzle of Dan Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I'm getting pretty excited for this show with all the reviews starting to float around! I'm seeing it in LA in October. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.