Bristol Evening Post on Bristol

[Brian Cady]

http://tinyurl.com/m6plv

THE WHO 
10:40 - 29 June 2006 
 
You've got to take your hat off to any band that can
play a set full of 40-year-old songs and still make
them sound stunningly "of the moment". Previous Who
shows on this current tour featured almost half an
hour of new material from their upcoming Who2 album,
due out in September.

But there was no airing for the Wire and Glass "mini
rock opera" at Ashton Gate last night - it was
greatest hits all the way.

The difference between The Who and all those other
veteran rock acts is the dynamic way they attack their
back catalogue.

Kicking off with I Can't Explain, all the trademarks
were there from the off - Roger Daltrey's mic-whirling
antics and the windmill-armed guitar of Pete
Townshend.

The Seeker, an undervalued gem in their catalogue, was
next and Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, showcased their
fledgling mod pop to fine effect.

It goes without saying that the band are without two
key members. Drummer Zak Starkey - the son of Ringo
Starr, no less - may not have the frantic energy and
wild abandon of Keith Moon but he more than holds his
own.

He eats these stadium gigs for breakfast - after all,
he's been filling the drum stool for Oasis for the
last couple of years.

Veteran sessioner Pino Palladino has taken the place
of John Entwistle to form, with Starkey, an
impressively muscular-sounding rhythm section.

By Who Are You? Townshend was in full flight. There
were even a few scissor kicks at the end - a little
more restrained than 30 years ago - but still
impressively committed.

We also got a rockingly-raw Bargain, from Who's Next -
although Townshend was a little tentative on his first
solo vocal of the night.

The guitarist took a solo spot for a typically
rhythmic acoustic version of Let's See Action.

Baba O'Riley - the band at their stadium-rock zenith -
came complete with a frantic harmonica solo from
Daltrey.

A superb elongated version of My Generation preceded
Won't Get Fooled Again - perfectly timed as the sun
went down to accompany their traditionally dazzling
light show.

For an encore they wheeled out Substitute with a riff
from heaven and one of Townshend's wittiest lyrics.
Then it was full steam ahead through the pick of their
rock opera Tommy, including a powerhouse Pinball
Wizard, Amazing Journey and Sparks.

The Kids are Alright, they sang - and the old geezers
are doing pretty well for themselves too.

Rating: HHHHH


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