Globe & Mail on Toronto

[Brian Cady]

http://tinyurl.com/yaoft9 

THE WHO: ODD MODS ROCK HARD 
BRAD WHEELER

WHO'S LEFT

This is the "old" that the Who had hoped to avoid. Two originals of the London legends have died their rock 'n' roll deaths -- drummer Keith Moon in 1978, bassist John Entwistle in 2002 -- so only Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, with sidemen, show at the Air Canada Centre on Monday. The pair possess a "volatile chemistry," a euphemism for their incompatibility. The "band" has an album out (Endless Wire, with the "mini-opera" Wire & Glass), and Townshend says the remaining duo is more fit than anyone to perform the group's formidable back catalogue. Okay then, let's see action.

WHO CARES

They aren't booing, they're bellowing "Whooooo." Woman and children are seen, but more of the crowd are men. Old men.

Old men with prostate glands older than opening act Chrissie Hynde, no spring chicken.

The audience politely appreciates the new material, reacting more strongly to reliable versions of classics (Baba O'Riley, Won't Get Fooled Again). The fans' huzzahs are genuine: The hypnotized, they never lie.

WHODUNIT

Archival footage of the Who in its four-strong avant-art youth are shown as the band begins with Can't Explain, The Seeker and Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere. No way, no how -- it is no more appropriate for Townshend (61) and Daltrey (62) to recite Mod anthems than it is for Mary Poppins to sing Mannish Boy. Daltrey sings about being dizzy in the head; he thinks it's love, but more likely he's just not getting enough iron in his diet. The Shepherd's Bush geezers have all rights to My Generation, but why not roll out the swaggering My Generation Blues instead? The rambling Cry If You Want, bluesified beyond recognition, is a highlight. As is the triumphant Tommy-medley encore, and tautly grand new ones Mike Post Theme and Black Widow's Eyes.

WHO'S NEXT

People try to put them down, just because they get around. After disbanding in 1982, the Who's reunion tours have met with media scorn -- "hey, wasn't that last tour supposed to be the last tour?" With its first album in 24 years, and with Daltrey (solidly fit, with a thick, guttural voice that is passable) and Townshend (17 windmills at one point), the band is in sturdy form. The two principals close the show as a duo, with Townshend on acoustic guitar and Daltrey reminiscing about jumping every wall and playing a thousand songs. My guess is that isn't over yet. But who knows? 

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


 
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