The Who's classic performance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 has already appeared on DVD a few years ago, but, as is the case with many archival concerts, here it is, re-released once again in special edition format. Most will probably say "why do I need to purchase this yet again?", but rest assured, Eagle Vision's new version of this historic concert is well worth the purcase, and the fair price they are charging. With improved sound by adding DTS Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, created by none other than Pete Townshend from the original masters, the show sounds great. Also, two songs not featured in Murray Lerner's original film but from the original performance, "Substitute" and the hard rocking "Naked Eye", are included here as bonus items, along with a fascinating 40 minute recent interview with Townshend, conducted by Lerner.
The show itself is is a must see performance of The Who at the height of their powers, and alongside their set at Woodstock and Live at Leeds show, one of their most powerful. With the power and energy of a hard rock or metal band, and the intelligence and risk taking nature of a progressive rock act, The Who ripped through many of their early classics, as well as songs from the soon to be released Who's Next, and a long selection of songs from Tommy. The band showed a muscular edge on tracks like "Heaven and Hell", "Water", and the furious "Young Man Blues", led by Townshend's distorted and feedback driven guitar riffs, Keith Moon's maniacal drum work, and the rumbling bass of John Entwistle. Lead singer Roger Daltrey, with his curly mane, bare chest, and flamboyant attire, had by this time fully transformed into his "rock star" persona, becoming the classic "frontman/sex symbol" figure alonside other singers like Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, and Jim Morrison. His strong and husky vocals lead the charge through Who classics like "I Can't Explain" and "My Generation", but it's on the Tommy material that he really shines, expecially "I'm Free", "Pinball Wizard", and "See Me Feel Me/Listening to You", the grand finale that sees the who band kicking it into high gear in front of an estimated 600,000 people. Despite the fact that the band took the stage at 2:00AM amidst plenty of controversey that was going on around them, their performance was stellar and one of the most talked about in the history of The Isle of Wight Festival.
The interview with Townshend is very interesting, as he talks about his career with the band, and gives background info on his experience at the festival. What's great is to hear him answer Lerner's question regarding the band doing improvisation's while on stage, and he talks about how he, Entwistle, and Moon would go about giving each other signals and venturing off into mini-jams and side steps. After hearing that, you can appreciate parts of the film, especially during one song when Moon has a problem with his drum kit, and Townshend takes the cue and goes off into two minutes of guitar improv, which Moon then jumps right into when his kit is back up and running, as if they had planned this little excursion all along.
In summary, this is a must have DVD for any fan of The Who, or anyone with a passing interest in classic heavy rock music.
Track Listing
1. Heaven and Hell
2. I Can't Explain
3. Young Man Blues
4. I Don't Even Know Myself
5. Water
6. Medley: Shakin' All Over / Spoonful / Twist and Shout
7. Summertime Blues
8. My Generation
9. Magic Bus
From "Tommy":
10. Overture
11. It's a Boy
12. Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)
13. Christmas
14. The Acid Queen
15. Pinball Wizard
16. Do You Think It's Alright
17. Fiddle About
18. Go to the Mirror
19. Miracle Cure
20. I'm Free
21. We're Not Gonna Take It
22. See Me Feel Me / Listening to You
23. Tommy Can You Hear Me?
BONUS FEATURES- Bonus tracks omitted from the original film:
1. Substitute
2. Naked Eye
New 40 minute interview with Pete Townshend.
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