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Oceanic Concerts review in Boston Phoenix



On line at:
http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/otr/documents/02046180.htm

3 and a half stars

Pete Townshend & Raphael Rudd 
THE OCEANIC CONCERTS 
(RHINO) 

Heres a bouquet for Townshend fans: live recordings
from a pair of acoustic duo performances from 1979 and
80, when Pete was in peak form, before he broke his
strumming hand in a bicycle accident. He teamed with
then-19-year-old piano and harp prodigy Raphael Rudd
for these by-invitation shows that were played for his
guru Meher Babas Oceanic group at Townshends Eel Pie
studios. And his solo renditions of "The Seeker" and
"Bargain" rival anything on the Secret Policemans
Ball and Scoop recordings: his singing is clean and
nuanced in his light-falsetto head voice, and the
guitar chords blaze, authoritative and quirky in their
rhythmic command.

If it wasnt obvious before that this material, from
"Let My Love Open the Door," which hed soon record
for his solo debut Empty Glass, to the furious and
delicate wish "Drowned," is spiritual, this
stripped-down context puts the focus on Townshends
lyrics. Rudds contributions are primarily solo
instrumentals that presage new-age music or else
colorful textural canvases behind Townshends voice
and guitar. The pair also collaborate on a few
instrumental arrangements that concentrate on beauty
and spareness. The disc concludes with
"OParvardigar," which Townshend describes as a
universal prayer. Its quite lovely, and like this
entire concert it offers insight into a major source
of inspiration for one of the rock eras greatest
songwriters. 

BY TED DROZDOWSKI
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