Pete Townshend on Jimmie Fallon

Pete's done some interesting things over the years.
 
But I miss the young Who.
 
I still want a J-200 though. 

I may or may not have mentioned it before but for I while I played Pete in a tribute outfit. Like full on.
 
Because I only knew a couple of the tunes beforehand (and because it was before my "great awakening" as far as theory) I opted to go the "note for note" recreation of everything as much as possible (like Live at Leeds which was the bulk of the set was a bear to learn but there is only one guit part throughout whereas selections from Who's Next, Quadrophenia and other studio works I had to pluck out the most relevant/distinct guit parts and play those often referring to live vids which, because of Pete's randomness was not always helpful).
 
Anyhoo... (anywho? Knyuck knyuck) I disliked the Quadrophenia tunes. Especially this particular song however we only did a few from that album. IIRC they were Love Reign (hated it), Bellboy (dumb), Punk Meets the Godfather (liked that one) and Real Me (really liked that one but disliked it because it required a capo which I never use and although heavy is a pretty simplistic guit part).
 
So obviously I spent a LOOOOOOT of time listening, analyzing, learning, performing tons of Pete parts (giggety) and this song was definitely one of the ones that I just simply hated the most probably tied with Magic Bus (Leeds version) and Squeezebox... but they were hits so they had to be played.
 
Listening to this, although I like the live orchestra, I gotta say (with all love and respect for Mr. Townsend) that it's even worse. The two best elements of the song have been stripped from it. The sweet downward guit scale during the chorus (why the guit player from the Roots did not bother learning that simple part is beyond me) and Roger's booming screams.
 
But I've come to expect that from ole Pete. Brilliant songwriter, totally whacko/revolutionary guit player but a hopelessly self indulgent navel gazing weirdo. I really think Keef kept him from getting too froo froo with this type of silliness via mockery and general harassment.
 
I don't know who this Alfie fellow is but I'm guessing a classical singer. He's definitely good but damn... he's singing it WAY too clean and "proper" and without that sweet guitar lick all you got is a schlocky cheese fest.
 
I kind of expect that from Pete but buddy dude from The Roots definitely should have known better. You can hear him playing but he ain't covering what Petey would be doing if he didn't have an acoustic strapped to him (which is an important part of the song and he's a great acoustic player too but I couldn't hear even that which might have made it better).
 
Meh... I think Townsend actually hates the songs he created that I like and has an obsession with the stuff I hate.
 
Weird guy (but then again I suppose I'm a little odd meself).
 
/Who nerd rant

Moshkito
Hi,

I initially didn't realize how long my diatribe was gonna be so thanks for covering for me.
 
Also "My Gen (Deluxe)", "Live at Leeds (Deluxe)" and "Who's Next" are teh best Who albums.
 
Tommy (the album) is... IMO... fromage. The Leeds performances of the Tommy material blows that silliness out of the water. The studio version is for the most part more Pete-O navel gazing.
 
Of course I wasn't born until quite a while after it's release so I'm sure it was much more impressive at the time.

A couple things I can say about this particular performance:
1. I never really cared for this song, even in its original format.
2. This Alfie Boe guy can sure belt out a tune. His performance is impressive (even if I don't care for the song), and has made me listen to this performance a number of times.
3. I wonder if Pete is making some kind of statement here. He even says "I can do it my way" when he takes on the lead vocals. Maybe this is how he envisioned this rock opera to be performed (maybe I am just going too deep)?
4. I don't expect to be purchasing the 'Classic Quadraphenia' album. It's different, just not for me. Maybe will appeal to others.
 

KenB123

jamesg1213
 
I agree. My sister had it, and set against the other stuff she played regularly in the house (Zep, Yes, SAHB etc) it did sound a bit cheesy, even to my 11 yr old ears.

Many times I am lost with acronyms. 
 
Best I came up with for SAHB is "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band". Please correct me otherwise. Thanks.

 
Yep, that was them. She played the 'Live' album a lot at home and I grew to love 'em, esp. 'Faith Healer'

I know some prime numbers.  Well, 1 or 2...

bapu
craigb knows a thing or two about a thing or two.

Hey, hey, now...  Let's not go crazy with the Cheeze Whiz here!  

jamesg1213
I've seen a lot of stuff on Prime.

That's amazon Jyemz, me two.

bapu
 
I saw Jethro Tull in their prime. 1971.
 
 

 
I saw them in 1988, 1992 and 1995. First 2 were good. On the last one Willy Porter was support and I wished he'd stayed on. I wouldn't cross the street to watch Ian Anderson these days, painful.

jamesg1213

bapu
 
I saw Jethro Tull in their prime. 1971.
 
 

 
I saw them in 1988, 1992 and 1995. First 2 were good. On the last one Willy Porter was support and I wished he'd stayed on. I wouldn't cross the street to watch Ian Anderson these days, painful.

Last saw them in 1982/83. (Broadsword), IA would go into a small tent during the solos to get a hit of oxygen (maybe that was the beginning of the end for him?). How do I know? Well, my "forum type seating" was behind the band. 

jamesg1213
 
I wouldn't cross the street to watch Ian Anderson these days, painful.

I hear chickens are particularly fond of Ian Anderson.

My GF at the time when I first started doing that Who shtuff wasn't really a fan (she was even younger than I was and training to be a chef... so yanno, not so much experienced in the dino rock) but she was a good girl and started getting into them through my adventures.
 
I guess she had been listening to all the mundane ultra Who nerd stuff I was having to study (seriously Who freaks are REALLY into the ultra details of pretty much EVERYTHING about the band... never seen anything like it and this was our audience). So I guess she was listening to the local rock station that were doing a Who trivia giveaway. She called in and scored tix to the upcoming show at the ACC and a copy of the recently(?) release My Gen Deluxe CD (includes a bunch of old R&B covers...).
 
Pretty sweet and of course she took me. Sadly that was the tour Entwistle died (before even hitting the road) so it was that Palladino fellow, Starkey (sp?), Townsend, Daltrey and Pete's... I wanna say cousin? on backup guit.
 
The sound in the ACC is of course crap what with being a sports arena, the place was a freaking zoo (I hate big shows but hey... not going would be idiotic), Palladino was good but I'm a massive Entwhistle fan so... yanno, that was kind of bleh, Moon being dead for like 20 years didn't help (although Ringo's kid is a phenomenal drummer), Pete had switched from Gibson/Hi-Watt gear to all Fender stuff (and was being his usual dorky self), etc.
 
So although it was still better than NOT seeing The Who at all... I really didn't feel like I actually saw The Who.
 
Daltrey though was awesome. Full on. For an old bugger he was RIPPED too. Had his shirt open with fans blowing it backwards. Oh how the old bitties squealed with middle aged delight.
 
As far as just plain, straight up coolness Daltrey was always my fave in that band. I think he'd be the only one of the original four that wouldn't have driven me nuts in short order.
 
Moon: Psycho, would likely get you arrested or into some ridiculous brawl.
 
Pete: Total weirdo egotist with too many issues for even the finest, most luxurious magazine racks.
 
Entwhistle: Cranky, moody bastige.
 
Daltry: Working class ethos, down to earth, will efficiently and skillfully pop ya in the gob if you get too stoopid, etc.
 
I know who I'd rather slam pints with.

Beepster
Sadly that was the tour Entwistle died (before even hitting the road)...

I had tickets to see the Who in Irvine California (literally within walking distance from my condo) for Friday, June 28th, 2002...
 
(John died the night before.)