Review and Photos by: Craig Hunter Ross
In 1973, The Who introduced us to a troubled English youth by the name of Jimmy Cooper. His struggles with drugs and schizophrenia, within the violent Brighton and London Mod scene, came to life through the band’s second “concept” album, Quadrophenia.
On more than one occasion, The Who has attempted to tour and perform the seminal masterpiece with less than successful results. Be it with orchestra, pre-recorded tapes or whatever the technology of the day would avail, it just never seemed to click…that is, until now.
Like a fine wine, Quadrophenia continues to get better with age, as does the band’s treatment of it. The two surviving members, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have brought the music to a level that can only be described as a live multimedia musical tour de force.
Accompanied by a stellar supporting cast of musicians at the Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. (November 13) multiple video, LED screens and even tastefully incorporated past live performances by both John Entwistle (bass solo during “5:15”) and Keith Moon (lead vocals on “Bell Boy”), Daltrey and Townshend seem to be having fun and enjoying the music as never before.
Though there were a few mistakes musically and lyrically, both seemed to smile, laugh and move on. It also seemed that these minor incidents were quickly wiped away by a well place windmill from Pete, much to the near capacity Verizon Center crowd’s approval.
The Who performed Quadrophenia in it’s entirety without pause. Then, after some band introductions and departures of players from the stage, they tore into several classic Who favorites, sans intermission.
Now, almost forty years after its original release, concert technology has caught up to the musical concept. With the notes ringing through the venue and the visuals overwhelming the senses, it’s as if Quadrophenia is seen and heard as originally intended, almost as if the piece itself is asking the audience “Can you see the real me…Can ya, Can Ya?”
GALLERY
