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- Cert:
- Cat.no: 0349705000-2
- Pressing: 2005
- Region(s): 2,3,4,5, PAL
- Running time: 418 mins
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Stereo
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish
- Fullscreen: 4:3
- Disc Format: 3*DVD 9
- Price: £29.99
- Rating: Entire Package 10/10
Join together with the band as The Who turn back the clock across 3 DVDs.
During troubled personal times, Pete Townsend took some sound advise,reformed the band and hit the road in spectacular style.
It was suggested the band could amass between 75 and 100 million dollars asthe music climate had changed in their absence in the mid 80s. Rather thando another reunion tour, Townsend revived two previous musical concepts Tommy at Universal Amphitheatre LA in 1989 and Quadrophenia from theirUSA tour of 1996/7.
Away from public gaze, Townsend was experimenting with musical narrativesin the mid-60s. Encouraged to expand his horizons by manager Kit Lambert,he worked extensively on mini-operas or conceptual pieces, as they were alsoknown.
Neither had been performed live in their entirety. Now you can see, hearand almost feel the extended band romp through the very first rock-operaTommy followed by Quadrophenia and a hits show. Going from a straightforward RnB / Blues outfit from the short-lived Mod sub-culture, theygradually morphed into a genuine progressive template.
Also, they set the blue print for generations of rebellion and pop art(Entwhistle called it snob rock). It took the band from a group releasinganthemic mod songs into another dimension of credibility.
First an album in 1969, then a film by Ken Russell and Broadway musical (1994),Tommy (Walker) the story of the deaf, dumb and blind boy who becomes apinball wizard hits the DVD format for the first time along with Quadrophenia.With guests Billy Idol, Phil Collins and a show-stopping performance by PattiLabelle as the Acid Queen, we get the benefit of new MX Technology (as anoption) to hear Daltrey and Townsend giving revealing background info andsong by song commentaries throughout both shows.
Quadrophenia, released October 1973, is considered to be The Who at theirmost cinematic, symmetrical and most maddening, as they portray Britishyouth mentality from the mid-60s. Its hero, Jimmy the young scooter Mod isin the throws of alienation and self doubt.
Consisting of few hits 5.15, it many seem far less appealing than enormousblasts of Pinball Wizard, but the angst ridden lyrics were enough to resonatewith the sixties generation up to today.
Star guests include PJ Proby and Billy Idol.
Guided by musical director Billy Nicholls the band broke with traditionalRocknRoll rules – no guitar smashing, though Daltrey swings his mic – itwas more of an all bells jangling experiment which brought them back tolife, particularly Townsend.
Quadrophenia also includes unseen footage of the band playing at a London pubshortly before releasing first hit single I Cant Explain.
After a stirring Live 8, and a new album on the way, The Whos statusis higher than ever as it enters its fifth decade.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.