The Who: Live at the Royal Albert Hall commemorates a remarkable charity gig in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Roger Daltrey does allow himself a smirk as he declaims his famous hope that he'll die before he gets old, but other than that, The Who are to be commended for playing their reunion entirely straight. Their souped-up rhythm'n'blues was always propelled by a self-belief as fervent as it was absolute; had any irony been allowed to impinge on proceedings here, the spectacle of three men well into their 50s delivering a set of what remain definitive hymns to youth and its attendant furies would have been wholly preposterous. As it is, the three surviving members of The Who (Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Jon Entwhistle) combine with keyboardist John Bundrick and drummer Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) to altogether engaging effect. There is, obviously, nothing wrong with the songs "Pinball Wizard", "The Kids Are Alright", "You Better You Bet", and they all get the treatment they deserve here. In fact, the only downsides are the many guest performances, which are either redundant, like Noel Gallagher's rhythm guitar on "Won't Get Fooled Again", or actually detrimental, like Kelly Jones' dreadful braying of "Substitute".On the DVD: The widescreen DVD is enhanced for 16:9 TVs. The second disc of extras includes backstage and rehearsal footage, the option to watch the performance of "Pinball Wizard" from a variety of angles, and an interview with Roger Daltrey, which he devotes principally to his work for the Teenage Cancer Trust, who were the beneficiaries of the concert. Also included is a derisory booklet of hopeless out-of-focus photos of the show taken by Bryan Adams, who would be well advised, on this evidence, to stick with the day job. --Andrew Mueller
Even by the standards of a genre not characterised by restraint, the 1974 rock opera Tommy is endearingly barmy, a bizarre combination of Pete Townshend's disturbed inspiration and director Ken Russell's wildly eccentric vision. Even if you gamely try and read allegorical meaning into it, the story is frankly odd: a child becomes psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind after witnessing the murder of his father by his stepdad and goes on to become rich and famous as the world pinball champion (since when was pinball a world-class competitor sport?), before setting himself up as a latter-day messiah. It's about the travails of the post-war generation, the disaffection of youth, the trauma of childhood abuse, the sham nature of new-age cults, and many other things besides. At least, that's what Townshend and Russell would have you believe. But what's really important is the many wonderful, utterly bonkers set-pieces--effectively a string of pop videos--that occur along the way, performed by great guest stars: Tina Turner as the Acid Queen, Eric Clapton as the Preacher, Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, Elton John's mighty rendition of "Pinball Wizard", even Jack Nicholson doing a turn as a suave specialist. Roger Daltrey is iconic in his signature role, and Oliver Reed makes up for a complete inability to sing with a bravura performance as his sleazy stepdad, but best of all is Ann-Margret as Tommy's mother Nora: her charismatic presence holds the loose narrative together and she richly deserved her Academy Award nomination; the sight of her in a nylon cat suit being drenched in baked beans and chocolate from an exploding TV set is worth the price of admission alone. On the DVD: Tommy comes to DVD in a two-disc set, with the feature on disc one accompanied by three audio tracks: Dolby Stereo or 5.1 surround, as well as the original "Quintaphonic" surround mix--a unique experience with effectively two pairs of stereo tracks plus a centre track for the vocals. The anamorphic picture adequately recreates the original theatrical ratio. The second disc has a series of lengthy and illuminating new interviews with the main (surviving) players: Townshend, Russell, Daltrey and Ann-Margret, in which we learn among other things, that Daltrey wasn't Townshend's first choice for the role, that Stevie Wonder was the original preference for the Pinball Wizard, and that Ken Russell had never heard of any of these rock stars before agreeing to helm the movie. There's also a feature on the original sound mix and its restoration for DVD. All in all, a satisfying package for fans of one of the daftest chapters in the annals of rock music. --Mark Walker
Ken Russell's flamboyant treatment of The Who's rock opera about a deaf dumb and blind boy who develops an extraordinary ability at pinball. Under his sinister stepfather's influence he achieves fame and a cult following but his almost messianic status also spells the beginning of his destruction... Featuring musical contributions from a host of rock stars including Elton John Eric Clapton and Tina Turner.
Double bill of films featuring the Who. 'Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who' (2007) details the highs and lows of the career of British rock band The Who. The film-makers speak with surviving band members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend who discuss the group's origins and influences and how they have gone on to become rock legends in spite of the excesses and tragedies which have plagued them over the years. 'Quadrophenia' (1979) follows Jimmy (Phil Daniels) a young Mod looking for pills thrills and a sense of identity in 1960s London. His increasing reliance on the buzz provided by the gang mentality of his friends reaches its height in the Brighton Bank Holiday confrontations with the Rockers. An inevitable comedown follows when he is expected to return to the plodding banality of everyday life.
In 1970 600 000 people came to the Isle of Wight to attend a music festival. 2 A.M. August 30th The Who appeared and gave one of the most memorable performances of their career. Tracks Included are : Heaven & Hell I Can't Explain Young Man Blues I Don't Even Know Myself Water Shakin' All Over Spoonful/Twist & Shout Summertime Blues My Generation Magic Bus Overture It's a Boy Eyesight to the Blind Christmas The Acid Queen Pinball Wizard Do You Think It's Alright
This new edition of Murray Lerners film of The Whos legendary performance at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival features newly restored pictures and remixed sound along with exclusive bonus features to finally give this amazing concert the quality release it deserves. Accept no substitute and play it loud! Tracklist: 1. Heaven And Hell 2. I Can't Explain 3. Young Man Blues 4. I Don't Even Know Myself 5. Water 6. Medley: Shakin' All Over / Spoonful... 7. Summertime Blues 8. My Generation 9. Magic Bus 10. Tommy Overture 11. It's A Boy 12. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker) 13. Christmas 14. The Acid Queen 15. Pinball Wizard 16. Do You Think It's Alright 17. Fiddle About 18. Go To The Mirror 19. Miracle Cure 20. I'm Free 21. We're Not Gonna Take...
From the makers of acclaimed documentary films 'Riding Giants' and 'Dogtown And Z-Boys' comes Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who the authorized portrait of the defining live act in popular music history told in their own words. Discover in this two disc DVD set how four diverse Londoners - Roger Daltrey Pete Townshend John Entwistle and Keith Moon - combined to create their own style of rock music built a dedicated fan base the world over and how The Who has survived at the top for over forty amazing years. Crammed with masses of never-seen-before footage rare concert performances and exclusive interviews in which the band and those close to the band share their thoughts and memories of The Who their music and their history. From their roots as a 1960s pub cover band through all the fascinating ups and downs twists and turns stops and starts successes and failures follow them as they evolve through four decades of rock.
One of the most exciting bands of the '60s British Invasion The Who took the American music scene by storm. While Roger Daltry Pete Townshend and Keith Moon stole the spotlight with their on-stage antics John Entwistle affectionately known as the Ox quietly stood in the shadows supplying some of the most kick-ass bass lines in rock and roll. An Ox's Tale takes a rare look at this passionate and talented musician. The film chronicles Entwistle's entire life from his first public performance at the age of 14 through his turbulent days with The Who and then The John Entwistle Band to his final big dream of a Who reunion tragically cut short when John passed away in his Las Vegas hotel room on the eve of the first show. An Ox's Tale which includes the last footage and interviews ever shot with John is a chance for fans to discover the real man behind the bass the powerful force that was the Quiet One.
The Kids Are Alright celebrates the phenomenon of the Who. More than a retrospective the film is a visual exploration of the great performances and maniacal events that constitute The Who legend. This special edition of the film includes the one musical omission from prior editions of this film: a video version of the classic song The Kids Are Alright. Tracklist of 24 songs includes: My Generation ; I Can't Explain ; Substitute ; Won't Get Fooled Again and many more.
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
At the height of dynamic power, Pete Townsend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon combined to produce some of the most revered rock music of all time. The Who built their reputation as concert performers, setting standards by which all other rock bands will forever measure their worth. Jeff Stein's 1979 'rockumentary' classic, The Kids Are Alright, captures the band in the studio, delivering their most infamous interviews, showcases some of their finest performances and is universally acclaimed as one of the best documentaries of a rock group ever made. Includes full length audio commentary and collectable, 32-page booklet.Tracklist:1. My Generation2. I Can't Explain3. Russell Harty4. Baba O'Riley5. Shout And Shimmy6. Russell Harty7. Young Man Blues8. Melvin Bragg9. Drum Kit Mayhem10. The Keith Ringo Knows?11. Tommy, Can You Hear Me?12. Ringo And Keith: On Roger13. Pinball Wizard14. Ummm... Jah?15. See Me, Feel Me16. Melvin Bragg17. My Generation18. Anway, Anyhow, Anywhere19. Russell Harty20. Success Sto21. Pete: On The Beatles22. Substitute23. Pictures Of Lily24. Magic Bus25. Happy Jack26. Melvin Bragg27. A Quick One, While He's Away28. A Circus Act?29. Ringo And Keith: Joining The Who30. Cobwebs And Strange31. Russell Harty32. Ringo And Keith: On Pete33. Pete: On Doing His Job34. Sparks35. Barbara Ann36. Road Runner37. My Generation38. Pete: The Power Of Volume39. Russell Harty40. Who Are You41. Russell Harty42. My Generation43. Final Words44. Won't Get Fooled Again45. Long Live Rock46. The Kids Are Alright
The songs and story of The Who's classic album. Who's Next is viewed by many as the greatest testament to the songwriting talent of Pete Townshend and the musical power of The Who. When the album was released in 1971, it climbed to the Top Five on the Billboard chart and remained in the Top 40 for five months. The story of how The Who came to record the album is told by group members Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, together with contributions by those who were close to the group during this recording, also providing insight into the importance of the late great Keith Moon to the success of The Who. The songs recorded for the Who's Next album are featured here, including such classics as "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Riley" and "Behind Blue Eyes". Included in this documentary programme are previously unseen performances of songs from the album that prove the longevity and lasting appeal of Who's Next, a true classic album. (61 minutes.)
For the first time the legendary Hot Licks classic video titles are available on DVD making it even easier to learn with top players - right in your own home. These brilliant new DVD transfers make them look better than ever giving you improved navigation many extra features and some newly recorded introductions. The Who's legendary John Entwistle gives a personal bass lesson that covers fingering licks octave styles chords hammer-ons pull-offs picking techniques harmonics soloing concepts walking bass lines string-bending and phrasing - all in the famous Entwistle style. You'll never miss a note! You see the music and the tablature on screen as it's being played. All right and left-hand techniques are shown in close up and with helpful split screen effects to make learning easy.
This performance filmed in 1999 captures the infamous Who bassist John Entwistle and his own band performing live in an outdoor setting at twilight hour. The concert features numerous original John Entwistle songs never before filmed or released. This program also includes never-before-seen footage of John at home on the road and behind the scenes with his own band mates.Tracklisting:1. Horror Rock2. The Real Me3. Had Enough4. Success Story5. Trick o
Voted bass player of the millennium the late John Entwistle tell his story for the first time on DVD! Including an interview with Gordon Giltrap where the two of them discuss John's revolutionary style his influences his 'Who' band members and his amazing guitar collection.
The godfathers of Punk? Certainly one of the most heavily cited influences of all time The Who continue to wow audiences and gain fans to this day. This is the most complete overview of the band to date with a complete indepth look at their own opinions interviews and media announcements. With the help of a leading team of critics we follow the band from their beginnings as The High Numbers through studio and television performances to the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970 and beyond. We look at the scene behind the success as The Who struggled to maintain some kind of cohesion with the tragic death of Keith Moon; one of the most infamous of rock-legends. Whether it was their instrument destroying finale their controversial interviews or the tensions between the band members themselves; The Who Videobiography was written by serious music fans for serious music fans. Included in this fantastic set is a 48 page biography of the band with a critics analysis of every studio album to date.
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