The Who - Quadrophenia And Tommy Live With Special Guests [2005]

Finally The Who and their management have used a bit of imagination and put together a really good package. The LA Tommy show and greatest hits encore (previously issued on VHS) captures a particularly interesting incarnation of the band. The emphasis is on doing the music justice and the backing musicians supply the brass parts and extra backing vocals that bring Tommy to life. Townshend is subdued, but Daltrey and Entwistle more than compensate and it would be fair to say that Simon Phillips on drums pushes all of them to perform well, though at times his virtuosity overshadows the band.However, the excitement of the old raw and ragged Who is long gone, but the music stands the test of time without it and seems to benefit from a more mature approach. This is all about precision and professionalism rather than the old power and bravado with which they used to carry the day. The guest stars are entertaining, but a bit of a distraction. (I would recommend buying the Join Together CD set from the same tour which includes Tommy in its entirety sung by the Who without the guests.)The Quadrophenia show is superb. When originally tested in the 1970s the material from this album never worked on stage due to its complexity and reliance on backing tapes. Here in 1996/97 the Who finally perform this piece and do it justice. Again a team of backing musicians recreate some of the key overdubs on the album and, for my money I actually prefer the sound of much of this performance to the original record, which always suffered from poor production, eg with vocals lost in the mix etc. The visual narrative projected above the stage fits perfectly with the music and seemed at the time to herald a new 'rock theatre' approach to stadium tours. It's a pity that the Who didn't capitalise on this approach after the Quadrophenia tour, as they really seemed to have hit on an exciting new format.In terms of performance the show rocks harder than the 1989 tour. Zak Starkey's drumming style complements the band and gives it room to breathe. This, combined with Simon Townshend's guitar playing, really seemed to galvanise the band members and put new life into the show. It is great to see John Entwistle showcasing his extraordinary bass playing techniques during 5:15. That along with his free flowing lines in many of the songs show just how indespensible he was to creating the sound of The Who. When Townshend was in mid air it was always Entwistle who would be busy pushing that treble and distorted sound through to drive the band. Ironically, most people put that sound down to Townshend.Lastly, bonus features are normally a 'watch it once only' thing. However, the visual commentaries on both concerts are excellent and allow the viewer to opt in and out at any time to watch Townshend and Daltrey being interviewed against a backdrop of the shows. It's odd how time has changed them. Townshend says less, but more of it's worth listening to, whilst Daltrey has gone from being inarticulate to expressing himself clearly and saying a lot that's worth hearing. Both clearly have a love and respect for one another and the music that they perform and the fact that they finally managed to collaborate creatively for the first time(on the visual narrative for Quadrophenia)shows that they have the potential to produce somethng jointly.In the absence of good new material, thoughtful presentation of their past can only help restore some of the reputation lost through myriad cynical greatest hits packages and tours. However, as Daltrey notes, the key ingredient of the band's success was Townshend's songwriting. Sadly there is currently no sign of it living up to past glories, but as these 'comeback shows' testify you can always rely on the Who for a surprise or two.So, I recommend that you buy this DVD set. Enjoy hearing the classic old songs from the late 60s and early 70s. Don't expect Live at Leeds with visuals, but be prepared to hear some of the most complex stage performances that the band have ever managed.

Thanks, i'm satisfy.

I felt that the information given before ordering the product was excellent and I could see exactly what I was getting from the description given. The process of ordering was uncomplicated and the follow up e-mail from you was re-assuring and efficient. The package was despatched promptly and arrived in perfect condition; everything was as specified on the ordering information. Well done!!! - any chance you could take over running the country ???!!!! ("Swampland", I mean ...)

A simply great DVD that relives the days of the sixties with so many of the stars of the days. Life may have moved on since then but having this kind film that shows the lives of the teenagers at the time may seem tame by modern day standards. Of course it is the music that really makes it and must for anyone who was a youth at the time and loved that era.

it did not work on my DVD player, but it did work on my pc so it is very good on a pc.

2 great live shows of 2 great albums and 1 special Hit Parade ... too good price for these fulfilling sets.I like Tommy show less than Quadrophenia show because there are too much guests and too relaxed though the theme is very serious.But for 2 DVD, we can hear fruitful commentary of Pete and Rojer.Must have for The Who's fans.

It's a fabulous DVD of The Who at their finest, showing off Tommy & Quadrophenia live

good value and good condition

If you are a true Who fan then this DVD is a must for you. Great footage of the Who and the entire stage show, and very high quality!

Si tratta di un regalo per la mia assistente,glielo chiederò quando lo avrà ascoltato,io Tommy lo conosco da 50 anni,è un capolavoro

La composition d'opéra "rock" constitue l'une des plus grandes particularités des "WHO"... N'ayons pas peur de le dire, composer un opéra vous fait entrer dans l'histoire de la musique et vous hisse tout droit aux côtés de compositeurs tels que Wagner, Verdi ou Bizet. Et c'est là justement ce qu' est parvenu à faire Pete Townshend...Dans ces conditions, ce coffret réunissant les opéras rock "Tommy" et " "Quadrophenia", ainsi que les plus grands titres du groupe, enregistrés en public, avec la présence d'invités aussi prestigieux qu' Elton John ou Phil Collins est une pure merveille! De plus toute la complexité de ces opéras centrés l'un sur le personnage de Tommy, enfant sourd muet aveugle et qui plus est autiste, et l'autre sur le personnage de Jimmy qui quant à lui souffre de "quadrophénie" , nous est très clairement expliquée par Pete Townshend et Roger Daltrey dans les "bonus" que comporte le coffret.L'interprétation scénique est bien sûr remarquable, contribuant à faire de ce coffret un petit joyau que vous aurez grand plaisir à posséder, voir et écouter!

I have an extensive Who collection of both DVD and CD - each have something unique to offer but this set was amazing! It's one of the few (if only) full presentation of Quadrophenia to be found. That alone makes this set worth the money. But Tommy and the Live Hits which continues after each of the concerts thrown in as well. You can listen to Pete and Roger's commentary or not, but I always enjoy their different perspectives. I am a Who fan but in particular, I just love Roger and have rediscovered the Who's music again now that I'm in my 50's. Just a GREAT BAND and I am living proof that the Who appeals to women more than they might have thought, particularly at high volume. If you only own one Who set, this is the one, both of their greatest works and many of their singles hits on the third album. I just hope they continue to release more concerts instead of leaving great rock and roll in vaults. I will buy it ALL.

Es geschehen noch Zeichen und Wunder: ENDLICH kriegen Who-Fans das legendäre QUADROPHENIA-Konzert der Who-Tour von 1996/97 auf DVD. Eine absolute Premiere, denn obwohl QUADROPHENIA bereits 1973 als Doppel-LP erschienen ist, hat THE WHO nie das komplette Album chronologisch auf der Bühne aufgeführt. Im Gegensatz zu TOMMY war QUADROPHENIA für eine vierköpfige Band viel zu komplex um adäquat aufgeführt zu werden. Ich war 1997 auf einem ihrer Deutschland-Konzerte und war absolut begeistert.A propos TOMMY: Das sensationelle 20th Anniversary Konzert aus den USA mit Stargästen wie Elton John und Phil Collins gab es bisher nur auf VHS und ist hier nun auf der zweiten DVD verewigt.Die Zugaben beider Events finden sich schließlich auf der dritten Silberscheibe.5 Sterne gibt's dafür, dass diese Spitzenkonzerte überhaupt zu haben sind. Technisch bleibt zu hoffen, dass der Konzertsound eine 5.1-Abmischung erhalten hat, und die Bildqualität o.k. ist.