Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

On one of the last great tours before John Entwistle passed away of cancer, The Who really delivers a tour de force show playing not only all of two of their biggest albums in total, but also a plethora of their greatest hits. You can get Tommy Live, or you can get Quadrophenia Live, but if you love The Who break out the extra bucks and pick up this THREE DISC set which not only includes the entire Tommy and Quadrophenia performance, but also contains a third DVD chock full of classics by The Who.

DVD One: TOMMY CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Tommy is one of my favorite rock operas of all time, but then again, how many rock operas are there? Pete Townshend sort of invented the concept, and this guest filled performance of the entire album is awesome. This show was recorded at the Universal Ampitheater in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is joined by a full horn section, back up singers and many special guests.

Steve Winwood sings the opening song It's a Boy. Townshend strums away at a fat acoustic guitar. For anyone not familiar with the story of Tommy, between songs, a page of text explains the story of Tommy, so that the songs may be appreciated in their context.

One of the highlights of this performance is Billy Idol performing Cousin Kevin. He delights in the sadistic torture of Tommy smirking, swearing and spitting out the lyrics tied to that chair you won't go anywhere, there's a lot I can f*** with a freak. It is clear that Idol had a lot of fun with this song. He even laughs maniacaly between lyrics.

Patti Labelle comes out in the most outrageous get up and hair style to perform The Acid Queen. Again, her intonations on some of the lyrics make the song.

Giant pinball icons appear on the screens behind the band, and out in a bright bright magenta suit, fedora hat and sunglasses comes Elton John to sing the hit song PinBall Wizard. Fans of the 70s may recall that Elton John actually had quite a hit with his cover of Pinball Wizard. Hearing him perform this perennial Who favorite, it is easy to see why.

Daltrey takes over vocals again on Do you think its Alright. Phil Collins comes out in a hilarious get up as perverted Uncle Ernie. His hair is all astray and his glasses are askew as he comes out in a robe with bottle of wine in hand and performs Fiddle About. Poor Tommy. Phil comes out again in a festive red and white striped jacket and bright red bow tie for Tommy's Holiday Camp. Everyone joins in for the grand finale We're not gonna Take it

It is a five star performance, and a great way to hear TOMMY.


DVD Two: QUADROPHENIA, Can You See the Real Me?

One of the Who's moodiest and most introspective albums, Quadrophenia is one of those double LPs that have slowly grown on me. Yup, my first Who albums were all on vinyl, with all my favorites (including Quadrophenia) have been replaced on CD. The set opens with the video screens showing a pounding surf to introduce I am the Sea Pictures of Mods and the Who's early days appear in a photo montage. Soon, the image focuses on the band, and Daltrey belts out a powerful The Real Me.

The video screen fills with a young mod who narrates the story between songs of the mods and the rockers. He tells all about some band he loved The High Numbers and how they made him feel. (Who fans may well recognize that the High Numbers was one of the original names of the band)

A highlight of this show was Townshend alone on stage with nothing but his acoustic guitar at the beginning of I'm One. He is soon joined by the rest of the band. I like the songs Townshend sings, everyone knows Daltrey's powerful vocals, but I always believed that Townshend had a nice vocal style that really balanced The Who's repetoire whether on lead or backing.

5:15 really rocks on this set, Daltrey tosses his mike around as he sings this song about the train at 5:15 and the whole 60's music scene. where have I been, out of my brain on the 5:15. Entwistle does a great bass solo on this song as well. It was great to watch his fingers fly up and down the fret board of his bass. The extended instrumentals on this song make it. The song slows down as Townshend delivers the final vocals why should I care, why the f-- should I care.

Billy Idol appears again on this set dressed up as a Bellboy which he then sings. Dr. Jimmy gets an awesome extended performance followed by The Rock. While the instrumental Rock plays, scenes from Quadrophenia fill the screen with the final showdown between the Mods and the Rockers at Brighton Beach. Here's a trivia question for all you Quadrophenia fans. Who played Ace the Face in the movie? (you can leave the anwer in the comment section) The show ends with a great rendition of Love Reign O'er Me. This is another five star performance.

Extras on this DVD include a full commentary on the concert by Daltrey and Townshend, and the Quadrophenia story.

DVD Three: GREATEST HITS Who Are You

If your favorite Who songs weren't from Quadrophenia or Tommy, fear not, the third DVD should cover all of your favorite songs. Substitute, I Can See for Miles, Baba O'Riley (a.k.a. "teenage wasteland"), Face the Face, Love Reign O'er Me, Boris the Spider, Dig, Join Together, Rough Boys, You Better You Bet, Behind Blues, Won't Get Fooled Again and Who are You round out this incredible three DVD concert set.

The bonus DVD also includes the encore from the Quadrophenia Tour, giving us Won't Get Fooled AGain, Substitute, I can't Explain, the Kids are Alright, Behind Blue Eyes and Who are You. Don't worry about the repeat songs, they never sound quite the same twice.

Finally, the third bonus DVD includes the encore at a Giants Stadium Show in New Jersey at an 89 concert with three songs The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard and A Little is Enough

Video Quality Video quality is spot on in this set. My only disappointment was that Tommy was shot in 4:3 instead of widescreen. I really would have enjoyed seeing this concert fill up my 105" widescreen. Ah well, I just watch with the bars on the sides. The Quadrophenia show was done in widescreen letterbox 2.35:1. Again, anamorphic widescreen would have been nice. Lighting, color and cinematography is well done throughout with great close ups of the band at appropriate moments, and great wide stage shots and audience shots.

Audio Quality Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, Dolby Digital Stereo and a Commentary Track on Tommy and Quadrophenia by Daltrey and Townshend! The sound seriously rocks. With the proper stereo equipment this will seriously rock your house.

Summary Who Fans, just go out and BUY THIS! If you have a Who fan on your Christmas list, go out and buy this for him or her. It really is an awesome package, and one of my favorite WHO concert sets.


Who fans may also wish to check out a couple more Who Concert DVDs:

The Who Live in Boston
The Who Live from Toronto

or the latest Who studio album
The Who Endless Wire

or a review of their recent show:

Nicholas Hears the Who; The Who Rock the TDBanknorth Garden December 2nd, 2006


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day