Denver Post Review

[Brian Cady <brianinatlanta2001@xxxxxxxxx>]

On line at:
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E78%257E871119%257E,00.html

Who are they? An enduring pop force  
Daltrey, Townshend shine sans Entwistle  
By G. Brown
Denver Post Popular Music Writer
 
Friday, September 20, 2002 - How many members can The
Who lose and not be "Who the ...?" 
On the eve of the legendary British rock outfit's
latest reunion tour, bassist John Entwistle was found
dead in his Las Vegas hotel room of a cocaine-induced
heart attack. Surviving original members Pete
Townshend and Roger Daltrey decided to go ahead with
the tour amid much criticism and skepticism about
whether they could truly be the same without
Entwistle, whose complex, beautifully melodic bottom
lines were considered an indispensable component of
the group's sound.

But at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre on Thursday night,
hard-core fans had to give Townshend and Daltrey
credit. They led their backing musicians through a
greatest-hits set as if they had something to prove -
that The Who could be greater than the sum of its
parts.

As the band took the stage, Townshend cracked wise:
"Tonight is going to be the worst gig we've ever
played." Then the players plunged through a trio of
early teen-energy classics, "I Can't Explain,"
"Substitute" and a terrific "Anyway, Anyhow,
Anywhere."

Townshend windmilled his hand across the strings of
his red Stratocaster, assaulting the instrument like
it owed him money. Daltrey whirled his microphone
around, still the consummate rock god in his late 50s,
and while his voice broke up on a few high notes, he
hit all the rest.

Drummer Zak Starkey, son of former Beatle Ringo Starr,
flailed away at his kit, conjuring the feel and fury
of the late, great Keith Moon. He seemed like a
veteran member, since the group was absorbing pickup
bassist Pino Palladino, who filled in for Entwistle.

There was no grandiose tribute to Entwistle (a few
photos of him were projected on scrims before the
encore), and Palladino politely stayed out of the
spotlight - he didn't try to replicate the Ox's fluid,
busy bass lines, instead offering a muscular style.

Rounding out the band were frequent keyboard
accompanist John "Rabbit" Bundrick and Townshend's
brother Simon on acoustic guitar and backing vocals.

"Who Are You," "Another Tricky Day," "5:15," "Love
Reign O'er Me," "Eminence Front," "Baba O'Riley,"
"Behind Blue Eyes," "The Kids Are Alright" and "You
Better You Bet" were all touchstones to the
classic-rock generation in attendance.

Other highlights were "Bargain" (kids knew it from a
recent Nissan commercial), an angry "My Generation"
(Palladino earned cheers for his solo) and "Won't Get
Fooled Again" - Daltrey's jarring scream was just as
spine-rattling in spirit if not execution as it was
during the band's early-'70s heyday.

The group also offered "Sea and Sand," a lesser-known
nugget from the 1974 rock opera "Quadrophenia." And
the boys nailed an encore of material from "Tommy,"
including a fantastic version of "Sparks" that
showcased Townshend's most electrifying chops of the
evening.

The Who has gone on before, following the 1978 death
of Moon, whose distinctive style was even more crucial
to The Who than Entwistle's. As Daltrey said, "Life
goes on," and the Fiddler's show was a fine way to
celebrate the lives of both Entwistle and Moon, and
for devotees to just accept The Who for what it is
now. Townshend and Daltrey both recalled the good
times they've had in the Mile High City - and with new
viable players, they can continue indefinitely, as
long as the drive, determination and desire are there.


=====
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com
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