Live at the Royal Albert Hall [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I was lucky enough to be in the audience for this concert. The very site of seeing my hero Pete swinging his right arm like a lunatic 'in person' was enough to reduce me to a blob. With roger looking like a school leaver, Zak virtually IS a school leaver and the Ox lookin...well hairy...Go and buy this video and experience what I did. I'm only 29 but think that The Who and their music / lyrics are as relevant today (if not more so) than 25 years ago. AND they still cut it live. I played it in front of some of my friends (who remember The Who 'first hand') a few weeks back - they actually stood up and clapped after Baba O'Reilly - I tell you I was nearly in tears at the concert after that. Such stunning performance! Even Noel Gallagher (I'm not a fan of Oasis) was great. A crackin' evening.
And all for a good (and criminally under-publicised) cause.
Buy it....wise up....and turn it up.

Live at the RAH is a fantastic show by the worlds greatest live band. That it's a "greatest hits" set (with an "all-star" guest list to boot) put me off for a while. Don't make the same mistake. The catalogue the Who have to offer is a great one. When it's performed this amount of passion by a band like this it never gets old. Roger can't quite hit all the high notes any longer, Pete doesn't jump as often, or as high and John's singing voice, never great, by this time was close to shot. All of this matters little. Roger has enough passion for ten singers. As well, he brings a level of intelligence and understanding to the material that's rare in the industry. And don't forget, he never takes any nights "off". What Pete lost in leaping ability he's gained in musical finesse. This man is playing the guitar the way he did thirty years ago but with all the skill that time and practice have added. Nobody plays like him. Nobody!

John was a fabulous player. Ultimately this band may end up missing him even more than they missed Keith Moon. His ability to pick up Townshend's threads and add immediately to them was the glue which held the band together.

Close your eyes, turn the vol up, and you'll almost be back in the magic years of the Who's greatest music. The concert is 2.5 hours of pure rock and roll adrealin. From its beginning with 'I can't Explain' to the last Chords of 'See Me, Feel Me' this is the real deal. All members were playing their best. The song list featured 23 hits and there is something here for just about everyone. Dick Cruthers shot the concert from the point of view of a fan. There are many quick cuts to allow you to essentially look everywhere at once. A classic work.

TRACK LIST
1. I Can't Explain
2. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
3. Pinball Wizard
4. Relay
5. My Wife
6. The Kids Are Alright
7. Bargain
8. Magic Bus
9. Who Are You
10. Baba O'Riley
11. Drowned
12. Heart to Hang Onto
13. So Sad About Us
14. I'm One
15. Behind Blue Eyes
16. You Better You Bet
17. The Real Me
18. 5:15
19. Won't Get Fooled Again
20. Substitute
21. Let's See Action
22. My Generation
23. See Me, Feel Me

Be sure to get the DVD if you can, as there are bonus features that you don't get on the VHS tape. The Who rock through a shortened set of their hits, and then bring on guests in the second half of the show for rare numbers that add an extra dimension to the event. The second disk includes rehearsal segments and a Daltrey interview, plus presentation of a check to the Teenage Cancer Trust for the one million pounds raised by the benefit. The video is crystal clear and the sound is excellent, whether you're using only your TV speakers or an expensive surround sound system. Townshend plays lead at his best, and a camera mounted on Entwistle's bass gives you a surreal view of the world's greatest bass player at work. Buy it!