Fwd: Benefit Show Review

[thewho rocks <leb905@yahoo.com>]

Repost from O&S:

>  HI All:
> I don't usually do reviews for 2 reasons:  1) I am one of the most
> biased WHOfans I know-these boys can't really do anything
unforgivable, and 2) I am not that good at details, other fans reviews
are a much better read. But thanks to a special spirits' kindness, I
was able to attend the Robin Hood Benefit show on Tuesday, and since I
am under the impression no one else from the list was as fortunate, I
will try to share as much information as possible. This affair was
attended by many wealthy and famous people, but I couldn't tell you who
they were besides Robin William's and Gwenyth Paltrow...I was so
psyched to be there to see the band, I could have tripped over Malcom
Forbes and not known it.  One other attendee, for you sports fans, was
none other than Hank Aaron, who handed a personalized baseball bat to a
woman who won it by bidding $375,000.00.  A bit nauseating to think of
a baseball bat being purchased for that much, but at least the money
went to charity.  This charity actually seems to have their act
together, I will definitely be contributing in the future.  For more
info see www.robinhood.org.  The guys began their show a few minutes
past 10:00.  The set list has been posted, I believe, so I will only
comment on outstanding moments.  The vocals were strong throughout,
although because I was on Pete's side,  MY WIFE consisted more of
Roger's vocals than John's.  The PA was above and behind where I was
(about 6 bodies from the stage) so most banter was unintelligible. 
Can't Explain and Substitute were played very straight, they are
feeling more and more like warm up songs to me every time I hear them. 
The 4 WHO shows (Chicago and SBE) I have attended have had virtually
the same set, and it seems like the energy doesn't really kick in until
My Wife.  Perhaps they are just concentrating on feeling out the
audience, seeing what kind of reactions they are going to get from us. 
We all are pretty much aware what happens when they get a lukewarm
reception (i.e. Pete  on the folks in the front row at PNC Bank for
Quad in '97, screaming "GET UP!!!!!!!" as they sat on their lazy fat
asses like they were watching TV or something).  My Wife yielded some
really nice leads from Pete, very melodic, nothing too squeaky or fast.
 He looked very happy  through out the show, actually.  The only one
not seeming too thrilled was John.  He looked a bit more bored than
usual.  Pinball Wizard got a really loud reaction from the audience,
everyone singing "How Do You Think He Does IT???!!" at the top of their
lungs.  There were about 6 or 7 women down at the front near where I
was, and most of them were as
> enthusiastic as the guys.  Anyway Anyhow Anywhere had the following
intro from Pete:  "This is the only song that Roger and I have written
together *so far*" with a little maybe-I-will-maybe-I-won't smile. 
Quite a few windmills on this one, too, with very aggressive solos, and
even a knees-up leap.  Pete is either in love or working out like
crazy; he is very thin and looks the healthiest I have seen in a long
time.  Baba O'Riley (this set list is not in order, as if you couldn't
tell -I am just trying to pull up details from my not-so-great memory)
got a great response as well...This was just about all I heard from
Rabbit all night, besides the piano on 5:15, he was completely buried
in the mix.  I love his piano playing, but I am adverse to the cheezy
roller-skating-rink  organ sound that he uses on TBTTB.  So I was kind
of pleased with the sound....  Of course, the same energetic singing on
"Don't cry..." Beautifully done lead from Pete before the "teenage
wasteland" verse.  Right up at the front of the stage, eyes closed,
head tilted back, completely into it.  Really nice.  (this is the kind
of stuff that sticks in my memory)  I have gotten quite used to hearing
Gaby Lester on violin so the harmonica doesn't do it for me anymore,
sorry Roger.  Everyone managed to end at the same time, anyway! 
Another jump from Pete helped I am sure.  I bet his ears are still
ringing, as he turned up about 12 times.  I can't imagine what his back
and knees must have felt like yesterday!  I know all I did was stand
there and wave my arms around (not much room to dance) and I was
exhausted!!
Magic Bus was a nice groove, even though I thought Simon seemed a
little unsure of where to take it.  Everyone was watching Pete for the
'explosion' and I think there was a bit of miscommunication there
and it felt a bit sluggish.  It is such a great groove, though, and I
am
> really looking forward to this summer's shows and lots of hot sweaty
Bus.  Who Are you was another hilight, well received and wonderfully
done, with Pete playing spectacularly on lead and windmilling
fequently.  They even managed to sing the right words!  5:15 was a
crack up because 2 intoxicated women joined the band on stage to dance.
 The expressions on John and Pete were something to behold.  Especially
John.  Usually stage invaders are removed quickly, but for whatever
reason (are these ladies too wealthy to piss off, I wonder) they were
permitted to dance about for quite some time.  Once they were assisted
off the stage, John did his solo.  It seemed he was a bit tense, I
don't think he enjoyed having his space invaded.  You Better You Bet
was a good, straightup version, nice vocals.  In one of the other
reviews, I believe it was mentioned that Pete played this song
differently....perhaps it was all the rum I had to drink, but I didn't
see anything out of the ordinary.  I am guessing perhaps the other
reviewer hadn't seen any of the more recent shows??  I don't know, and
please forgive me if I am incorrect.  For WGFA, Pete played his most
aggressive leads of the night, banging the shit out of the guitar (gold
strat), turning his amp up at least 3 or 4 times.  By the end of the
song, his jacket was all askew and his shirt collar poking out at an
angle from all the movement.  I sure hope some of this show shows up on
the MTV tape of the Robin Hood Foundation, or at least a DAT from an
audience member. It would be worth having for many of us.  The energy
of the show was consistent from AAA to the end, encores being TKAA and
My Generation.  MG was a extended a bit, with a spectacular ending very
similar in sound to the original studio version, if you could imagine
that.  It had a more aggressive flavor than the one on TBTTB, no pauses
for breath there.  The hugs given by Pete to both John and Roger were
real hugs, not that solicitous bullshit everyone is watching type that
sometimes happen.  All in all everyone seemed really happy (even Simon)
and in great form.  Like I warned you all at the beginning, I am not
one to criticize this band, so take it for what it's worth when I say
it was a really lovely show.  I will be attending Chicago in a few
weeks, and it has put me in a frame of mind that has me wishing the
days away.  I will never ever get tired of this band.  If anyone had 
told me as a devistated 14-year-old sitting in my WHO wallpapered room
crying because I was missing the 3/11/76 show that I would someday be
able to see them as much as I could afford to, I would have thought
they were being crazy or cruel.  The fact that they are touring,
healthy and seemingly happy working together pleases me to no end.  I
have said it before and I will say it again, I only wish Keith were
here to see how far they have come in their relationships with one
another.


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