Tag: Pete Townshend

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Roger Daltrey – As Long As I Have You

Roger Daltrey commands a unique presence as a rock vocalist. His vocal range is striking and dynamic. Of all the rock and roll lead vocalists I have seen perform live and I’ve seen my fair share, he created the strongest stage impact I’ve ever witnessed. He’s the real deal and his voice reaches deep inside of my soul.

My son and I saw The Who eight row center at The Webster Arena in Bridgeport, CT on November 28, 2006. It was an electrifying evening for both of us. I was blown away by Roger’s singing that night. As he sang The Who classics my respect for who he is, increased dramatically.

My favorite moment was during the second encore when Roger came back out with a cup of tea and joined Pete Townshend to do, “Tea & Theatre” from  Endless Wire. It was a touching, intimate segment that is etched upon the music of our heart these past 12 years.

Here is a video from their 2006 tour filmed a few nights before at The Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ.

I was encouraged to see that Roger Daltrey has recorded a new solo studio album, As Long As I  Have You.  I think this offers a point of continuity from “Tea & Theatre”, as the album features Pete Townshend’s inimitable guitar on seven tracks.

As Long As I Have You will be available in a number of formats including CD, 180g Black Vinyl, Limited 180g Red Vinyl housed in Polydor Disco Bag (available exclusively via thewho.com) and Digital.

His album is available for pre-order and will drop on June 1, 2018. I’m eager to own the red vinyl edition 😉

“This is a return to the very beginning, to the time before Pete started writing our songs, to a time when we were a teenage band playing soul music to small crowds in church halls” ~ Roger Daltrey 2018

“It shows Roger at the height of his powers as a vocalist” ~ Pete Townshend, 2018

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Classic Quadrophenia

Pete Townsend has that unique talent to reinvent himself with his music. Imagine you write, score and deliver two major rock operas in your life. That is an amazing feat. The evolution of Quadrophenia into “Classic Quadrophenia” adds dimensionality and superb texture. For the last three years Townshend has worked closely with his partner Rachel Fuller on brand new arrangements for orchestra, soloists and choir. The results add a greater meaning to our existence through love, sea and life’s epic journey.

Classic Quadrophenia will be released by the esteemed classical label Deutsche Grammophon. It features the London Oriana Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The world premiere will take place on July 5th, 2015, at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Would love to attend that event.

Here is the first taste of the bountiful summer harvest, “Love Reign O’er Me”. British tenor Alfie Boe is stellar as lead vocalist!

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Sound Man by Glyn Johns

I have many music books and never enough time to read them all. I am thankful for my extensive music library.

I have been reading and reflecting on the best music books of 2014. One book title that really stands out is Sound Man by Glyn Johns.

Glyn Johns has been behind the soundboard recording dozens of monumental recordings in the annals of rock music.  His work evidences the midas touch of Sir George Martin, Eddie Kramer, Rick Rubin and T-Bone Burnett.

If I had to name my favorite Glyn John’s recording it would be Who’s Next. Every time I hear the songs from this album I understand unequivocally why rock and roll resonates in my soul.

“Sound Man opens with a declaration: A record producer has to have an opinion and the ego to express it more convincingly than anyone else. So Glyn Johns has stood his ground with a few big headed rock stars? I must be the exception. I’ve only had transcendental moments in the studio with Glyn. Returning to the control room after a studio take I often felt like running: the joy of hearing what Glyn had created out of the glue-and-string that was The Who was like a drug. He is an artist himself of supreme talent and experience.” —Pete Townshend

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The Who Quadrophenia, Live In London – My Next Blu-Ray DVD!

The Who, Quadrophenia, Live In London 

This is without question the next live music concert for my collection. It will play brilliantly on the Sony Hi-Def TV and through the Sony Blu-Ray Home Theatre.

I was unable to catch The Who Quadrophenia Live concert tour in 2012 so let Love Reign O’er Me this way 😉

 

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Going Mobile – The Who

This song by The Who from Who’s Next underscores my renewed energies for education, technology and life. Now all we need is that camper and the open road 😉

I don’t care about pollution
I’m an air-conditioned gypsy
That’s my solution
Watch the police and the taxman miss me!
I’m mobile!
Songwriter – Pete Townshend 1971

File:The Who Behind Blue Eyes.jpg

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I Can’t Explain

Pete Townshend Autographed book Who I Am The Who

I am thoroughly enjoying the audio CD edition of Pete Townshend‘s biography, Who I Am, A Memoir. Narrated by Pete himself, it places you front and center with The Who through Pete’s reflective candor. The book is re-surging my interest in The Who. I am at the halfway point of the 15 CD audio book (19 hours). I plan to write a review of Who I Am, A Memoir after I digest all Pete has to share.

I have played The Who first live recording, The Who Live At Leeds at high volume this week 😉

File:The who live at leeds.jpg

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The Monterey Pop Festival 1967

Monterey International Pop Festival PosterIf time travel was an option, I would love to be transported back in time to The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. When I look back on what Monterey Pop accomplished, the rich set of artists that performed, there was a magic that weekend that formed peace, love and the power of music for generations to come. It’s the music festival I would most want to attend and experience.

I would love to attend that festival at the age I was in 1967, close to 16. I would also like to experience the event fully with no understanding of the events as I know them now. What I mean is that I would love to witness each act unfold, be surprised by The Who and Jimi Hendrix, boogaloo to Otis Redding. I would just love to have been there from beginning to end.

Imagine meeting his Majesty Prince Jones as he walked amongst the crowd. Monterey Pop celebrated its 45th anniversary this past June.

Five years ago I wrote a blog post about the 40th anniversary of Monterey Pop It serves as a fitting testament to the event.

There are so many rock stars that are no longer with us who performed at Monterey Pop. For that reason alone revisiting the Monterey Pop Festival would be worth it.

Imagine seeing The Who go insane smashing their instruments amidst the smoke bombs and fireworks Keith Moon planted under his drum set. Or witnessing Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire. Hendrix was in top form that night as he one upped Peter Townshend of The Who.

There is a fantastic official Monterey Pop International Festival Web Site. I visit it often. I urge you to go hear Eric Burdon sing Monterey and watch the images, view the vast information available. Then go rent or own the rock documentary, Monterey Pop, directed by D. A. Pennebaker. That’s what I plan to watch later today. I own the deluxe video set (no surprise there folks…).

Cover of "Monterey Pop- Criterion Collect...
Cover via Amazon

If that’s not enough content for you, I wanted to point out that there is a new book available about Monterey Pop. Maybe Santa Claus will be good to me and put this under my Christmas tree, hint, hint 😉

A Perfect Haze, The Illustrated History of the Monterey International Pop Festival by Harvey Kubernik and Kenneth Kubernik ,Foreword by Lou Adler, Afterword by Michelle Phillips

I found this painting on the InterWeb by Grace Slick who appeared with Jefferson Airplane that weekend. She named it Monterey.

Monterey, a painting by Artist Grace Slick

1. Unknown (Drug Dealer)
2. Marty Balin (*JA singer)
3. Jorma Kaukonen
4. Janis Joplin
5. Ghandi
6. Jack Casady (*JA Bass)
7. Otis Redding
8. (Mama) Cass Elliot
q9. Pete Townshend
10. Groupie chick
11. Grace Slick
12. Roger Daltrey
*Jeffferson Airplane		 13. Jerry Garcia
14. Alice and White Rabbit
15. David Crosby
16. Keith Moon
17. Neil Young
18. John Philips
19. Jimi Hendrix
20. Ravi Shankar
21. Wavy Gravy
22. Ben Fong Torres
23. Brian Jones
24. Spencer Dryden (*JA drums)

I leave you with this video clip of Janis Joplin with Big Brother & The Holding Company. This was THE  breakout moment for Janis and her band. Of all the performances that happened that weekend, this one is truly special. Enjoy.

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Tommy – The Who

I was listening to Tommy by The Who on Spotify in the car this morning. I have reacquaintd myself with The Who after posting about Pete Townshend‘s memoirs yesterday.

Tommy  the rock opera has undergone several incarnations starting as double album, evolving into a movie next, then becoming a Broadway play. It then transitioned into an orchestral version and lastly a ballet interpretation.

What a versatile work Tommy has proven to be to allow for  such varied productions over the decades.

Tommy The Album

Tommy Live In Concert

The Tommy live rock opera performance took place at The Fillmore East for a week in New York City.

One of the most memorable live performances of Tommy took place at Woodstock.

Tommy – The Film

Tommy was adapted into a screenplay for a 1975 movie directed by Ken Russell. I recall going to the movies to see Tommy. I visualize Elton John as the pinball wizard readily.

File:Tommy film poster.jpg

Tommy – The Broadway Play

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Pete Townshend’s Memoir – Who I Am

My next audio CD read will be Pete Townshend’s memoir Who I Am.  Last week I completed Neil Young‘s Waging Heavy Peace on audio CD. It was a thoroughly engaging book.

Pete Townshend is the narrator which greatly personalize’s the literary experience.

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The Who – Quadrophenia 2011/2012

Quadrophenia
Image via Wikipedia

The Who is re-releasing Quadrophenia as a Director’s cut box set next month, on November 15th. They add to my ongoing 2011 collector dilemma as to what box set I want for my 60th birthday…..(Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, U2, Achtung Baby just to start…)

I first witnessed Quadrophenia when I was an FM college disk jockey at WNHU-FM. Our radio station was given an advanced copy in early October of 1973 and it was the most playlisted album for the next four months. I featured it strongly on my afternoon shows. I have always felt that Quadrophenia was The Who’s finest achievement.

Such classics as “5:15”, “Love Reign O’er Me” (Pete’s Theme), “The Punk and the Godfather”, “The Real Me” and “Bell Boy” (Keith’s Theme).

Quadrophenia has lost none of its luster these almost 38 years. It holds up amazingly well, having been translated into a film, then live recordings of the rock opera and finally into play productions which I must witness someday.

Last I understood is that The Who, Peter and Roger with others will tour North America in 2012 with a Quadrophenia live production. That is high on my 2012 live performance list.

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