Posted on 03/05/2010 10:19:34 AM PST by a fool in paradise
Two mature women paid the best tributes to Pete Townshend’s songs in “The Music of the Who”: 21 acts performing a selection each on Tuesday night at Carnegie Hall.
One was Patti Smith, seizing “My Generation” like a born rocker. “Oh, Carnegie Hall,” she announced on arrival, “forgive me for what I am about to do.” She strapped on a guitar and took on a cocky swagger as the band charged into the song. She snarled and howled the lyrics. She spit, twice. She added her own generational message, urging people to “Rise up!”...
The other was the soul singer Bettye LaVette, singing “Love Reign O’er Me” backed only by piano. She took the song to church, with her voice opening up from a tight little rasp to bluesy curves to sweeping gospel flourishes. Ms. LaVette made the song — which is due to appear on her coming album — a desperate prayer. She captured the other essence of the Who: the wounds behind the bravado, the longing that runs through so many Who songs about characters who are misunderstood or forsaken.
The Who tribute was the annual benefit concert for music education...
...The Smithereens came closest to the Who’s tension and release in the instrumental “Sparks,” from “Tommy.” Other emulators (the Postelles, the Gaslight Anthem, the Fab Faux) made a listener miss what the Who did better: Roger Daltrey’s melody and enunciation, Keith Moon’s crash-and-burn drumming, Mr. Townshend’s combination of architectural precision and bluesy aggression.
...One song predated the Who: Mose Allison’s “Young Man Blues,” a complaint about disrespect that the Who often performed live. Mr. Allison, 82, was there to sing it, and he had a second half, “Old Man Blues”: still misunderstood, still forsaken.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
RnR PING
Young Man Blues is one of the best live songs the Who ever did. It’s my absolute favorite. The bass and drums (thank you John and Keith, RIP) are awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tke1RvPTDY
Classic songs that will last longer than the Beatles or the Stones.
If you disagree, then you are just wrong.
Too bad Abbie Hoffman is no longer with us to take the stage and get THWACKED with a guitar across the shoulder blades.
What’s next a Yoko Ono tribute from Patti?
Interesting....I encountered this thread while listening to my favorite from the Who....Athena.
I like Patti Smith’s version of Gloria.
It always amazes me that Townsend’s fingers weren’t bloodied by his windmilling.
I like the Patti Smith song that opened up the movie “Natural Born Killers”. It is anti-PC.
Gary Cherone from Extreme has a The Who tribute band called Slip Kid. Great stuff. And don’t show me Yoko Ono’s boob job.
That means she ruined it. Vocal gymnastics don't make a song - they ruin it.
Always thought The Who could have vastly improved upon their live set if they would have smashed their gear at the beginning instead.
1. Agreed.
2. They are not the Who, they are "The Two." We have mandatory retirement for cops and Bishops, why not one for rock and rollers?
I used to love “Piss Factory.” If you want to clear the room at a party, just put it on and wait 20 seconds.
Bettye LaVette - Reign Over Me.
I noticed the Who were all wearing their rainbow suspenders in support of something.
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