[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Variety review of The Who
- Subject: Variety review of The Who
- Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 08:16:19 -0400
By Kevin Zimmerman
NEW YORK (Variety) - Billed not as a Who reunion but a
performance by its surviving principals Roger Daltrey, Pete
Townshend and John Entwistle, the current version of
"Quadrophenia" mixes a large band, narration, illustrative
videos and somewhat quizzical "guest stars" Billy Idol and Gary
Glitter.
"Quadrophenia" has always been the most difficult work in
the Who's canon. Musically intricate -- Townshend establishes
four major themes variously representing the lead character's
four distinct personalities, the four original members of the Who
and the four elements being just the tip -- "Quadrophenia"
sports a relatively simple storyline that occasionally rushes
onto tangents.
Basically, it's the story of mod teen Jimmy, who in a brief
period loses his home, girlfriend, motor scooter and faith in his
lifestyle, not to mention society at large. Grandly ambitious,
and arguably the best-performed and produced Who album,
"Quadrophenia" has forever been bogged down live by Townshend's
insistence on describing the story to fans: the original 1973
tour was marked by long-winded explanations.
That problem remained in this production: actor Phil Daniels,
who played Jimmy in the fine 1979 "Quadrophenia" film, read
narration between nearly every song that was mercifully brief if
still momentum-sapping. As in '73, the crowd wanted, first and
foremost, to rock.
At 51, Daltrey has lost some of his range, steering clear of
many of the high notes and apparently running out of gas toward
the end before rallying for a spine-tingling "Love, Reign O'er
Me."
Townshend stuck with acoustic guitar and was notable mainly
while exhibiting his famed wrists of rubber on a solo "Drowned'
and trading vocals with Daltrey on a fiery "Helpless Dancer."
Entwistle characteristically stayed well in the back, delivering
a thumping bass solo during a roof-raising take on "5:15."
Glitter made a perfectly buffoonish rocker, while Idol
appeared as a Sting clone, assaying the same role played by the
latter in the film -- Ace Face, the top mod who is exposed as
nothing grander than a bellboy. The juxtaposition of the four
main vocalists during a rousing "I've Had Enough" was nearly
brilliant, while Idol's "Bellboy," originally Keith Moon's
singing showcase, was adequate.
A 30-minute encore was highlighted by mostly acoustic
versions of "Behind Blue Eyes" and the inevitable "Won't Get
Fooled Again," as well as a pleasantly surprising "Magic Bus."
Apparently a tuneup for the inevitable Broadway production,
"Quadrophenia" nevertheless retains much of its nimble,
muscular brilliance. More to the point, perhaps, is the fact tha
there's clearly life yet in this particular brand of rockers.
Presented by Metropolitan Entertainment. Band: Roger Daltrey
Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, Zak Starkey, Simon Townshend,
John "Rabbit" Bundrick, Phil Daniels, Gary Glitter, Billy Idol.
Opened and reviewed July 16, 1996; runs through July 22.
Reuters/Variety