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| Mel Belli |
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/24/arts/music/24MADI.html
Who Knew: Rolling Past Collective Memory
By BEN RATLIFF
Published: May 24, 2004
ne imagines the opus of the Who, represented in Pete Townshend's own ears, as a sharp mosquito buzz: his evergreen anxieties, his sense of competition, his drive to organize songs into concepts, his tinnitus. In the ears of anyone who has encountered them after the 1970's, that same work is an elephant stampede, broad-stroked and booming, the epitome of high-starch classic rock.
Don't forget that the Who, in 1965, were a kind of art band. Mr. Townshend's influences were amphetamines, anger, pop art and American R&B. He wasn't a soloist and didn't want to be, so when pushed into the role of lead guitarist, he resisted and negated. His high-concept lead style was all about volume and violence, scraping strings with the edge of a pick, thumping them with a fist, slashing them upward with a windmilling arm; the amplifier became an instrument, too, reacting in distress. Jimi Hendrix eventually scooped up his ideas, transforming Mr. Townshend's tantrums into a giant act of love, and made them look amateurish, but Mr. Townshend was then, and is still, good for a beautifully compressed antimelodic solo.
He did it a few times on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, where the Who played on its current tour. (There is something to promote: a new greatest hits album from Universal called "Then and Now.") The best time came early on, in "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere": his solo bumped and skidded through brief shardlike ideas, with feedback peeking out at the edges.
The set proceeded through 13 of the 20 classic-rock radio staples on "Then and Now," with a few rarities, "Drowned" and "It Don't Happen That Way at All," performed by Mr. Townshend and his longtime band mate the singer Roger Daltrey, alone with acoustic guitars.
One of the two new songs appended to the new compilation disc — offerings that qualify the "Now" of the title — is Mr. Townshend's "Real Good Looking Boy." The band played it on Saturday, and it is dreadful. The narrator meditates on his own childhood ugliness and his admiration of a rock star's glamour; it's probably Elvis Presley, as the song interpolates "Can't Help Falling in Love." Finally love redeems the ugly boy. It extends Mr. Townshend's trope of self-examination; it also sounds, with its moral corniness and melodic narrowness, like something at the worst end of commercial country music.
Mr. Townshend and Mr. Daltrey can't pretend: they're a 59- and a 60-year-old, half of a beloved band, scoring points off collective memory for an overwhelmingly middle-aged male audience. There is both modesty and vainglory in this pose. (Zak Starkey, on drums, rigorously avoided playing Keith Moon's famous drum fills, as he did for the band's last tour two years ago. Pino Palladino played bass, replacing John Entwistle, who died in 2002. Mr. Townshend's brother, Simon Townshend, provided all but inaudible rhythm guitar and backup singing, and Rabbit Bundrick played keyboards.)
Cheerfully Mr. Townshend joked about persevering. "I have an expensive racing program in the Mediterranean to pay for," he said, smirking. At another point he grew serious, thanking the audience for its loyalty; it has stuck with him, after all, through his recent arrest in England for possessing child pornography. (He was cleared of the charges in May 2003 but was formally cautioned by the police.)
Mr. Daltrey, who played acoustic guitar for several songs, spoke much less but gave the fans what they wanted, and a bit more: during one of his patented microphone-as-lariat moments, the cord flew out of his hands and into the audience. He ran to the lip of the stage, registering embarrassment and concern.
Mr. Townshend and Mr. Daltrey could be writing more new songs, but this band has been breaking up, each time theoretically for good, since Moon died in 1978. They could change their sound, or find new stimuli, or be more elegant and stop publicly calling it quits. But having problems with being in a rock band has always been the Who's chemistry. Once they were uncool in a way that worked. Now they're just uncool.
[Edited by Mel Belli] |
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| Joey |
" Mr. Townshend and Mr. Daltrey could be writing more new songs, but this band has been breaking up, each time theoretically for good, since Moon died in 1978. They could change their sound, or find new stimuli, or be more elegant and stop publicly calling it quits. But having problems with being in a rock band has always been the Who's chemistry. Once they were uncool in a way that worked. Now they're just uncool. "
This makes Joey very sad.
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| jb |
I sorry that someone with that last name would write something so hurtful to you Joey... |
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| Joey |
quote:
jb wrote:
I sorry that someone with that last name would write something so hurtful to you Joey...
It's alright my Brother ..............Whenever I feel sad , I just listen to this :
" John-Denver's Lyrics - Leaving On a Jet Plane Lyrics "
" All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go
I’m standin’ here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin’
It’s early morn
The taxi’s waitin’
He’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome
I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
Because I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing
Ev’ry place I go, I’ll think of you
Ev’ry song I sing, I’ll sing for you
When I come back, I’ll bring your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
Because I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time
Let me kiss you
Then close your eyes
I’ll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times, I won’t have to say
Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
¡®cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
But, I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go.............. "
" Stones Rule You Bastards ! "
Spurzee !
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[Edited by Joey] |
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| jb |
What did you do on your day off? Did you get laid? |
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| Joey |
quote:
jb wrote:
What did you do on your day off? Did you get laid?
No , I had to spend the entire day doing " yard work " at my girlfriend's home ...............you know the drill : Cutting the lawn , trimming , fertilizing , mulching , edging the walkways and sweating profusely .
Luckily , the weather was absolutely gorgeous ( May is a Beautiful month here in the MidWest ) and later on in the evening we met up with some friends at a bar/restaurant called " M's Pub " in the " Old Market " district near our brand spanking new , twenty thousand seat , state-of-the-art ( But not quite ' Gold Standard ' like the American Airlines Arena in Dallas , TX ) Qwest Center Arena .
..................and then Saturday , woke up and did it all over AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!
For Kit : " Stones Rule You Friggin Bastards ! "
Spazzy !
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| jb |
I didn't know you had a girlfriend....I'm kinda jealous. Is she aware of this board?
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| Joey |
quote:
jb wrote:
I didn't know you had a girlfriend....I'm kinda jealous. Is she aware of this board?
No , she HATES the Stones and many of the artists I am quite fond of like Steely Dan , etc .
However , she " Digs " THE WHO !!!!!!!!
Go figure .................
" Stones Rule You Bastards ! "
D. J. Jazzy Joekins and the Fresh Prince of Boca Raton ! |
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| Bloozehound |
I thought The Who's audience was primarily made up of males. |
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| Joey |
quote:
Bloozehound wrote:
I thought The Who's audience was primarily made up of males.
Primarily.................. |
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| Gazza |
>"It Don't Happen That Way at All," ????
Lesson one in reading a review of a concert.
Never trust or respect the opinion of anyone who doesn't know the correct song titles of the band he's paid to slag off. |
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| Joey |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
>"It Don't Happen That Way at All," ????
Lesson one in reading a review of a concert.
Never trust or respect the opinion of anyone who doesn't know the correct song titles of the band he's paid to slag off.
Agreed ! Someone needs to tell him it is called " Naked Eye " ................
J. |
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| sirmoonie |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
>"It Don't Happen That Way at All," ????
Lesson one in reading a review of a concert.
Never trust or respect the opinion of anyone who doesn't know the correct song titles of the band he's paid to slag off.
First thing I saw too. What a dope. I wonder what he thought of "Teenage Wasteland" and "The Best I Ever Had."
He sure saw a different band than Nellecote and Savage. |
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| mac_daddy |
quote:
Gazza wrote:
>"It Don't Happen That Way at All," ????
Lesson one in reading a review of a concert.
Never trust or respect the opinion of anyone who doesn't know the correct song titles of the band he's paid to slag off.
ack - you and sirmoonie beat me to it...
did anyone tape? joey, with all the who-fluffin' you do, you must have a source that flows you the shows... send a few copies out and let us hear 'em...
the tape NEVER lies. |
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| BILL PERKS |
quote:
Joey wrote:
D. J. Jazzy Joekins and the Fresh Prince of Boca Raton !
PERFECT |
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| corgi37 |
Hey, that is great. They are doing both Drowned and Naked Eye. Fingers crossed they do it here in Melbourne. Fingers double crossed another one doesnt croak before they get here!
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| Joey |
" did anyone tape? joey, with all the who-fluffin' you do, you must have a source that flows you the shows... send a few copies out and let us hear 'em... "
Just got a most excellent DVD of " THE WHO -- CHICAGO , DECEMBER , 1979 " . This gig took place five days after the Cincinnati tragedy and features an outstanding performance by Pete ( complete with his soccer hooligan look ) & the boys .
YES !!!!!!
Corgi , you make Joey giggle .
" Stones Rule You Bastards ! "
Spazzy !
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| Jumping Jack |
Another reason to dislike the NYT.
Joey,
I would be VERY greatful for a copy of the 79 DVD.
Gratitude could include:
The Who Woodstock b/w (1 DVD) Video A Audio C
The Who “Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970” (1 DVD) A
The Who Tanglewood 7/7/70 Pro Shot (1 DVD) B-
The Who Cow Palace 11/20/73 b/w Pro Shot (1 DVD) B-
The Who 5/18/74 Charlton Athletic Football Field UK (1 DVD) A
The Who Pontiac Silverdome 12/6/75 Partial 2nd half of show Pro Shot (1 DVD) A-
The Who Cleveland 12/9/75 (1 DVD) B-
The Who “Tommy” Official (1 DVD) A+
The Who “Another Tricky Night” Rockpalast Essen 3/28/81 (1 DVD) A PAL
The Who 12/17/82 “The Who Rock America 1982” movie (2 DVDs) A
The Who “Prince Trust 1996” Quadraphenia, Clapton, Dylan (1 DVD) A-
The Who “Who's Better, Who's Best” great compilation of live songs(1 DVD) A
The Who 9/26/00 Tampa, FL Audience-Shot (2 DVDs) B
The Who 7/27/02 Camden, NJ Pro-Shot (1 DVD) A+
The Who 9/14/02 Hard Rock, Las Vegas Audience Shot (1 DVD) A-
The Who 9/17/02 Greek Theater, Los Angeles Audience Shot (1 DVD) A
The Who “Quadrophenia” official movie (2 DVDs) A+
The Who Toronto 9/28/02 Aud Shot (1 DVD) A
Coming:
Who Charlton 74 – 2 DVD NEW UPGRADE!!!
Who Max R & B – 1 DVD
Sfenner1 at bellsouth.net
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| Gazza |
You can buy official soundboard recordings of all of the new shows (plus the 2002 shows)online here:
http://www.themusic.com/encore/thewho2/ |
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| Joey |
" Joey,
I would be VERY greatful for a copy of the 79 DVD. "
I don't have a DVD Burner or else I would SURELY send you a copy .
Word !
J.
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| jb |
quote:
Joey wrote:
" Joey,
I would be VERY greatful for a copy of the 79 DVD. "
I don't have a DVD Burner or else I would SURELY send you a copy .
Word !
J.
Maybe one of your friends at H-P could lend you a burner... |
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| Joey |
quote:
jb wrote:
Maybe one of your friends at H-P could lend you a burner...
www.Hackwriters.com |
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| Jumping Jack |
Perhaps a friend of yours could burn an extra copy or you can point me to someone who could help me out?
Your tease is driving me crazy!!! |
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| steel driving hammer |
For My Baby............................................
http://www.oddsandsods.imdanet.com/whophotos.htm |
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| Joey |
" Perhaps a friend of yours could burn an extra copy "
I will work on it as I have forgotten just who sent it to me and they have shut down the message board over at www.PeteTownshend.com ( They also shut down the Steely Dan Message Board on me too ....................)
WTF ?!?!?! Perhaps it is the Weather or Something -- Hah !!!!!!! I tell ya , thanks to Bushie43's America , everyone is so damn Moody that I can not WAIT for the election to get over with ( five months to go ) .
Word !
Here is the set list from that 1979 performance :
http://www.thewholive.de/1979/
" Stones Rule You Bastards ! "
Jerski ! |
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| Joey |
quote:
steel driving hammer wrote:
For My Baby............................................
http://www.oddsandsods.imdanet.com/whophotos.htm
Bless You My Baby Steelie ( the one I love so much )
" STONES RULE YOU BASTARDS ! "
Jersey ! |
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| wkoetke |
I'd still like to see the Who in concert for all the classics, but jeez...I have to agree with the NY Times article that Real Good Looking Boy is horrendously awful. It's so bad I can hardly believe it, and I like the Who. The first time I heard it, I kept expecting it to pick up, change, and start rocking, but all I got was the "wise men say..." elvis tribute. Oh my gosh. Indefensibly terrible.
I'll never bitch about the quality of the four new Forty Licks tracks again. |
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| glencar |
Old Red Wine (or whatever the fuck it's called) is even worse! The NY Times ahsn't got much right altely but someone I know went to this concert wasn't too thrilled either. |
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| Joey |
quote:
glencar wrote:
Old Red Wine (or whatever the fuck it's called) is even worse! The NY Times ahsn't got much right altely but someone I know went to this concert wasn't too thrilled either.
You make Joey very sad . |
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| glencar |
Cry to me. |
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