DVD review: THE WHO – Tommy Live at the Royal Albert Hall

November 26th, 2017 by jason

Eagle Vision [Release date 13.10.17]

Such is the impact they have made on British music over the years that I am of the theory that even the casual music listener could name at least 5 songs by The Who. The band’s latest release comes in the form of new CD/DVD “Tommy- Live at The Royal Albert Hall” and captures the rock opera in its entirety for the first time since the late Eighties.

Filmed in April of this year, in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust, the show was originally planned to be an acoustic affair- I, for one, am glad they went down the full band route as the bring the story back to life.

One of the surprising things about the performance is the notable absence of a host of well-known friends in cameo roles- in the past the band have enlisted the likes of Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Elton John etc when performing Tommy or Quadrophenia live and on this occasion have foregone this and played it straight down the line.

The subject matter of Tommy is an uncomfortable one at times, particularly as the subject continues to unfold throughout the entertainment business on an almost weekly basis. The soundtrack is at times dark and menacing but it does also include the standout tracks “Pinball Wizard” and “I’m Free”- in addition, there is also a seven song section after the opera that includes “I Can’t Explain”, “Who Are You”, “I Can See For Miles” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”.

Bonus material on the DVD edition includes a behind the scenes feature and animations for “The Acid Queen” and “Pinball Wizard”- both of which contain the live audio from the stage performance. ***

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)