helliott
October 24th, 2008, 11:23 AM
Took my wife, son and his girlfriend to see them at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton Wednesday night. Didn't have huge expectations, fully aware of the criticism and their endless series of farewell tours. But they were in our town, and are on my son's list of acts you gotta see before they retire or check out.
Well, they blew my expecations across Lake Ontario and into downtown Toronto. Yes, they've certainly aged, and don't quite have the fire they did. But they still rock harder and with more passion and energy than many younger acts. Daltry's voice was very strong, though he doesn't have the range for some things -- his iconic scream on Won't Get Fooled Again wasn't strong. But he nailed all the other classics, Baba O'Reilly, Behind Blue Eyes, Love, Reign Over Me (not the right title, I'm sure), The Kids are Alright, See Me, Feel Me and others. Townsend's lead playing was shaky, but worked well, and his rhythm is as powerful and nasty as ever (custom Strat through a Fender amp farm and what looked like a Vox Tone Lab -- I have one). Pete's vocals are pretty much all growl, but again, they worked in the context. And his stage presence is still wonderful, moving as if he was 40 not pushing 70.
The band was great, especially Ringo's son Zak Starkey on drums, who did a very credible Keith Moon feel and added his own power and finesse.
There were a couple of new songs, Good Looking Boy and Tea and Theatre, which were also very good, especially the latter, which was just Pete and Roger on stage with an acoustic. Song's a retrospective about their lives together, just the two of them left now, what they've been through and the mutual affection that is quite apparent live.
All that would have been quite enough to make it a great night, but then throw in that they were probably the most gracious and appreciative performers I've seen (at least at their level). They repeatedly thanked the crowd for coming out, and Daltry closed the night with a short speech about how awesome it is that so many people would come out to see them after all these years.
Their performance wasn't geezer length either. From the opener to the encore (about four songs from Tommy, starting with Pinball Wizard) it was a solid two hours. We were wearing huge grins, and not because of the ambient pot smoke, and my son in particular was shaking his head in admiration and appreciation.
My point is, if this tour comes near you (and this does appear to be their last time around, based on the vibe from them that night), and if you have any interest at all, don't be put off by the geezer-rock stereotype. This is a damn fine show, period, and pays homage to some of the greatest rock music ever written in a very compelling way.
Well, they blew my expecations across Lake Ontario and into downtown Toronto. Yes, they've certainly aged, and don't quite have the fire they did. But they still rock harder and with more passion and energy than many younger acts. Daltry's voice was very strong, though he doesn't have the range for some things -- his iconic scream on Won't Get Fooled Again wasn't strong. But he nailed all the other classics, Baba O'Reilly, Behind Blue Eyes, Love, Reign Over Me (not the right title, I'm sure), The Kids are Alright, See Me, Feel Me and others. Townsend's lead playing was shaky, but worked well, and his rhythm is as powerful and nasty as ever (custom Strat through a Fender amp farm and what looked like a Vox Tone Lab -- I have one). Pete's vocals are pretty much all growl, but again, they worked in the context. And his stage presence is still wonderful, moving as if he was 40 not pushing 70.
The band was great, especially Ringo's son Zak Starkey on drums, who did a very credible Keith Moon feel and added his own power and finesse.
There were a couple of new songs, Good Looking Boy and Tea and Theatre, which were also very good, especially the latter, which was just Pete and Roger on stage with an acoustic. Song's a retrospective about their lives together, just the two of them left now, what they've been through and the mutual affection that is quite apparent live.
All that would have been quite enough to make it a great night, but then throw in that they were probably the most gracious and appreciative performers I've seen (at least at their level). They repeatedly thanked the crowd for coming out, and Daltry closed the night with a short speech about how awesome it is that so many people would come out to see them after all these years.
Their performance wasn't geezer length either. From the opener to the encore (about four songs from Tommy, starting with Pinball Wizard) it was a solid two hours. We were wearing huge grins, and not because of the ambient pot smoke, and my son in particular was shaking his head in admiration and appreciation.
My point is, if this tour comes near you (and this does appear to be their last time around, based on the vibe from them that night), and if you have any interest at all, don't be put off by the geezer-rock stereotype. This is a damn fine show, period, and pays homage to some of the greatest rock music ever written in a very compelling way.