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Rocky Mountain News review of Fiddlers Green



On line at:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/music/article/0,1299,DRMN_54_1428710,00.html

Townshend, Daltrey reign o'er Green
Even without Entwistle, The Who's creative core is
fantastic at Fiddler's

By Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News
September 20, 2002

The hip, cynical view to take on The Who's 2002 tour
is that it's a money-grab that Pete Townshend and
Roger Daltrey are ripping off the fans and making
money off the death of bassist John Entwistle, who
passed away just before the tour started. 

That opinion falls to pieces when you see them play. 

Entwistle was certainly an irreplaceable part of the
band's sound, just as late drummer Keith Moon was. 

But Daltrey and Townshend are comparable to Robert
Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. 

When the latter two toured together, it may not have
been everything Zep was, but its essence was captured
in Plant's voice and Page's guitar. 

Likewise, Daltrey's voice and Townshend's guitar are
the essence of The Who's creative core and sound. 

And they've still got John "Rabbit" Bundrick on
keyboards, who has formed the sound of the band for
more than two decades himself. 

For my money, this was The Who. 

While Thursday night's show had its rough moments, it
was a stunning rock show overall far better than
anyone had the right to expect. 

Many fans balked at the $100-plus tickets. But if you
care for the band at all, be sure to pick up the live
CD they'll be selling online soon of this show:
amazing versions of equally amazing songs. 

Townshend played more guitar than most fans have ever
seen him play, and Daltrey was flat-out nailing high
notes that he dodged on the last tour. 

They blasted through high-octane versions of Who Are
You and 5:15 and dug out semi-rarities such as Another
Tricky Day and Eminence Front. 

No one in the packed house looked like they wanted a
refund. 

Even tired songs such as Love Reign O'er Me were
invigorated. 

The most personal note was new, autobiographical
verses added to The Kids Are Alright, where Daltrey
and Townshend took turns reminiscing on their
childhood and lives. 

Replacement bassist Pino Palladino not only had
Entwistle's notes down perfectly, but his moves as
well - that is, like The Ox, he stood stock-still
throughout the performance, his flying fingers one of
the few indications he was even awake. 

What could have been bittersweet moments were instead
a joy. 

Before the show the band ran video of tour rehearsals,
featuring touching interview footage with Entwistle.
The segment of 5:15 that was filled with his bass
improvisations last tour was instead filled with fiery
Townshend guitar solos. 

Counting Crows opened the show with a set that started
with the lethargic Goodnight Elizabeth. 

Ever the pros at digging themselves out of holes,
however, the band built up steam until fans were left
screaming for an encore on the final song, a
twisting-together of signature songs Rain King and
Round Here. 


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