Comments on: Daltrey’s R-r-r-regeneration

By: Charlie Bermant

Charlie Bermant — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:56:49 +0000

Thanks for the discussion, Cheers.

By: Ron B

Ron B — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:17:50 +0000

My expectations were exceeded, making the experience that much more enjoyable. After seeing 4 versions of the post-Moon Who 5 times (and a John Entwistle solo show) I was pleased to finally see someone drive all the more rocking songs home.

Simon Phillips actually produced a thundering wall of sound (a la Keith) at the end of ‘My Generation’ during 1989 in Tacoma. But the next show, in Vancouver he played it the way Kenny Jones used to. Scott Devours was right there every time this recent show with Roger.

By: Charlie Bermant

Charlie Bermant — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:15:36 +0000

You’re right, again. But you need to relax your expectations. As musicians get older–and even die–recreating the original in any faithful way isn’t gonna happen. If you must hear it a certain way, and will be disappointed to not hear a certain drum roll, perhaps you should stay home and listen to the latest remasters.
I’d rather approach it with a bit more openness, asking just one question: Does it sound good, or not? Do I get anything positive out of seeing this person live, or is it depressing? OK, that’s two questions.
When I first started going to concerts it was at a time when the best ones were new experiences and the songs were decidedly different than the recorded versions. For instance, I saw the Who in 1970 with the promise that they were going to play a slew of new songs. Instead they did “Tommy,” again.
Again, I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’d just rather be me, right now.

By: Ron B

Ron B — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:16:51 +0000

The thing with Who songs is most of them were recorded with Keith, with his rolls and fills a big part of their distinctiveness. You don’t have to be a drummer (I’m not) for them to sound unsatisfactory when played with key drum parts left out.

Any songs recorded and played at first with the rest of the instruments pausing for the drummer to fill in will sound underperformed and underpowered if later the band still makes the pauses but the drummer doesn’t fill them. As with various incarnations of post-Moon Who I noticed the same peculiarity at an Eric Clapton show, Cream tunes being played as though Ginger was still involved but with the current drummer leaving the holes unfilled.

By: Charlie Bermant

Charlie Bermant — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:14:01 +0000

You’re probably right, from a drummer’s perspective. But I missed the drum roll you mentioned, and actually didn’t notice Devours at all–aside from the fact that he was part of a very powerful, polished band. Many listeners don’t pick things apart on that level, and enjoy the music as a single entity. Not saying who is right or wrong, it just is. Some of us only notice the individual parts when they malfunction. If Zak misses a specific riff we may not care.

By: Ron B

Ron B — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:08:05 +0000

Starkey did nothing to generate excitement at the 2006 show until the Tommy rave-up at the very end; even the drum break during a generally tepid ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ appeared to have been executed with as little playing as possible.

Scott Devours on the other hand brought back a taste of the old glory with his strong playing, even maintaining the snare roll on ‘I Can See for Miles’.

By: Charlie Bermant

Charlie Bermant — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:23:17 +0000

I dunno, Zak looks pretty good to me. Both for how he plays, and Who he is.

By: Ron B

Ron B — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:37:04 +0000

>Going to concerts can be a tremendous inconvenience, but if you stay alert there is still a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime experience<

Inconveniently located and operated venue.

Once-in-a-lifetime show.

I was left thinking “I won’t be forgetting this one”.

They killed on the rockers, thanks particularly to the drummer who Devour-ed the songs.

If the Two do go out again they should take this guy with them instead of Zak, who although great in Tacoma during 1996 mostly just kept the beat in Seattle 2006.