[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

NY Times Article About TKAA



==========
THE WHO: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

For plenty of rock 'n' roll fans, on every third day the Who are the
greatest band in the world. (On alternate days, the honor might go to 
the Stones or the Beatles; the Kinks get the occasional Tuesday, although
they deserve more.) 

Until now, "The Kids Are Alright" (Pioneer), Jeff Stein's exhilarating
pastiche of Who interviews and performances, has been available only on 
faded video, with some of the performances marred by technical glitches 
on the soundtrack. 

This two-disc DVD restores the Who to glory, and it is capped off by the 
last performance of the original band, at Shepperton Film Studios in May 
1978 (the drummer, Keith Moon, died three months later). 

During that performance, Mr. Stein's camera is waiting, like a catcher 
with a mitt, to capture Pete Townshend as he leaps into the air, lands on 
his knees and slides clear across the stage: it's one of the most exuberant
moments in rock 'n' roll. 

Meanwhile, Roger Daltrey preens and prances, as if he were actually the 
star of the show - but then again, that's always been the great joke of 
the Who. 

"The Kids Are Alright" also shows us lots of Moon in action. There has 
never been so joyous a rock drummer (or one so outstandingly goofy). 

The extras feature two quizzes, one relatively easy and the other pretty 
much killer, as well as my favorite extra of all: performance footage of 
the late and, yes, great bass player John Entwistle, with his audio track
isolated so you can hear every elegant, improvised fillip, every sonorous
burr and thrum. Turn it up loud enough, and it could float you away, as 
if it were a velvet cushion with wings. (Sept. 30.)
==========


- SCHRADE in Akron

To pursue science is not to disparage the things of the spirit. In fact, to
pursue science rightly is to furnish the framework on which the spirit may
rise. 
   - Vannevar Bush, 1953

He that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.
   - Ecclesiastes 1:18