Some 58 years after Pete Townsend swore “I Hope I die before I get old,” the Who is still rocking with the release of yet another live album, The Who with Orchestra Live at Wembley - a stunning 2-CD set recorded at that world famous stadium venue back in 2019, released in March, 2023.
The orchestra in question is the 57-piece Isobel Griffiths Ltd. Orchestra and they add a majestic depth to what had always been a solid wall of sound from the Who’s core members. But what is equally amazing is that surviving founders Roger Daltrey & Townsend also perform some of the group’s most bombastic standards in acoustic versions, no orchestra & no electric instruments. The result is a total delight for fans of the band or just rock & rollers in general.
Yes, the set includes plenty of Who classics, “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Reilly,” “Substitute,” “Won’t’ Get Fooled Again,” etc. But they also fold in some lesser-known tracks from their more recent outings, like “Hero Ground Zero,” “Ball and Chain” and “Tea & Theatre.”
The highlight of this offering is a condensed version of what many consider Townsend’s masterpiece, Quadrophenia, performed with the full force of all 57 members of the orchestra.
And what’s truly amazing is simply that Townsend and Daltrey are still performing (especially considering the always tumultuous history of the band), but that they continue to perform with such force and vitality. Time has taken only a little from Daltrey’s voice, but he still sings with a great range and power much younger singers can’t muster. Ditto for Townsend. He may not be capable of the astounding athletic leaps of his youth, but his guitar playing is faultless.
In the absence of departed founding members Keith Moon and John Entwistle, the core of the Who has been strengthened by long-time drummer Zak Starkey (Yes, Ringo’s kid) as well as Pete’s brother Simon Townsend on guitar and Jon Button on bass.
Devotees of the group have always maintained their real strength was their live performances, so it’s great to see that pushing 80, the Who is still among the top live acts in the rock world. We urge you to check out The Who with Orchestra Live at Wembley.
