Times review

["L. Bird" <pkeets@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here's the Times review, courtesy of Kim and Lester on Relayers:

The Who
By David Sinclair
Pop
Forum, NW5


WHAT does it take to finish off a rock'n'roll band these
days? Not even the death of half the group prevented The Who from stepping 
back into the ring on Monday for their first show in England since the 
demise of the bass player John Entwistle two years ago. Age does
not seem to bother them much; it is 39 years since their first hit, and 
singer Roger Daltrey turned 60 this month. Nor has infirmity stopped them in 
their tracks  the guitarist Pete Townshend, 58, is so deaf he cannot hear a 
telephone ring at three paces. Other troubles have been similarly brushed 
aside  turned to
their advantage even.Townshend's reputation was not exactly enhanced when he 
received a caution after he admitted paying for child porn by credit card, 
but the trauma seems to have provided him with new creative life.

Finding himself with extra time on his hands when the police confiscated his 
computer, he returned to songwriting, and has apparently composed enough 
material for The Who to be planning an album. Next year may see the release 
of their first collection of
new songs since It's Hard in 1982.

Unlike previous Who reunions, which have been strictly one-off, their return 
at the Forum this week marks the start of a full 18-month schedule of 
touring and recording. The level of commitment seemed to have been ramped up 
accordingly, and as they started with
a lean, powerful version of Who Are You they sounded like a band that has 
rediscovered its sense of purpose.

With Entwistle replaced by the session bass player Pino Palladino, and Zak 
Starkey continuing to inhabit the drum stool left vacant by the late Keith 
Moon, the line-up was completed by the group's longstanding, semi-detached 
keyboard player John Bundrick and
Townshend's younger brother Simon on rhythm guitar. But it was Townshend Sr 
whirling his arm in that familiar windmilling motion, and Daltrey twirling 
his mike like a cowboy lassooing a steer, who dominated as they reeled off a 
string of hits from their 1960s heyday including I Can't Explain, Substitute 
and Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere.

With Entwistle gone, the chemistry between these two old stagers has 
changed, and while there was little eye contact, it was noticeable how close 
they stayed together onstage. But the new blood played its part in 
reinvigorating a set which was comprised mostly of old
favourites. Starkey negotiated the twists and  mountainous crescendoes that 
Townshend's songwriting demands with surefooted grace, particularly on Baba 
O'Riley. Daltrey forgot the words to
Love Reign O'er Me. "It's one of those moments that comes with the bus 
pass," he joked. But the performances of Behind Blue Eyes, 5.15 and You 
Better, You Bet were tidy, economical and all the more dramatic for the 
avoidance of too many barnstorming heroics.

After so many years of winging it for the odd big occasion, they seemed 
determined to get it right at last. And yes, they played The Kids Are 
Alright.

The Who play the Forum tonight and tomorrow, and the Albert Hall on Monday

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