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October 29, 2008
The Who at Mohegan Sun Arena
After seeing The Who twice on the group’s 2006 tour, the worry was that Tuesday night’s concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena would feature the same set list, equally as heavy on the classics as on material from the latest record, “Endless Wire.”
And through the first seven songs, it just about was.
Sure, “The Relay” was substituted for “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” but the other six songs were in the same running order as the group’s Madison Square Garden show of 2006. Not that this is a complaint, because the opening one-two punch of “I Can’t Explain” and “The Seeker” still caused goosebumps the third time around, even though the band seemed to be a little off to start the show. And how can any self-respecting fan of The Who whine about hearing “Who Are You” and Behind Blue Eyes” again?
Still, I wanted to see and hear the band mix in a few different tunes into the two-hour show.
I was soon rewarded with songs that weren’t played two years ago. An unexpected “Sister Disco” led into the must-play “Baba O’Riley,” which still elicits the most reaction from the crowds. “Getting in Tune” preceded “Eminence Front,” another concert staple that’s always well-received.
Fans of The Who’s “Quadrophenia” were then treated to the back-to-back hits “5:15” and “Love Reign O’er Me” from that album, also both absent in 2006.
The set ended with two more Who standards, “My Generation” and a terrific version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” complete with Roger Daltrey’s trademark scream and Pete Townshend’s trademark windmill guitar playing.
The encore was the same as my previous Who concerts, heavy on songs from the “Tommy” record. “Pinball Wizard” was followed by the medley of “Amazing Journey” and “Sparks,” which Townshend used to show off his considerable skills as a guitar hero.
The concert concluded with “Tea and Theatre” from the “Endless Wire” record. I didn’t like the decidedly low-key ending the first two times I saw it and my opinion hasn’t changed.
This is The Who, for Pete’s sake. Send the fans home riding the wave of an up-tempo rock song, not an insignificant acoustic trifle.
On the whole, it was another great evening spent with Townshend and Daltrey and their backing musicians — guitarist-singer Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother), drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son), bassist Pino Palladino (a member of The John Mayer Trio) and longtime keyboardist John Bundrick (who missed much of the 2006 tour to be with his dying wife).
The band was tight, as can be expected, and that allowed Townshend many opportunities to go off on a few musical tangents. He really is one of the most underrated guitarists, never quite getting the respect afforded peers such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards. But Who fans know the deal.
Townshend was terrific Tuesday, as was Daltrey. Now both in their 60s, they provided more evidence — as if any were needed — of why The Who is such a special band and why they have earned the dedication of their fans.
The set list
I Can’t Explain/The Seeker/The Relay/Fragments/Who Are You/Behind Blue Eyes/Real Good Looking Boy/Sister Disco/Baba O’Riley/Getting in Tune/Eminence Front/5:15/Love Reign O’er Me/My Generation/Won’t Get Fooled Again
Encore: Pinball Wizard/Amazing Journey/Sparks/See Me, Feel Me/Tea and Theatre
Posted by Sean on October 29, 2008 5:52 PM
