Back in October of 1999, an internet company named Pixeton.com rented out the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and threw a big rock and roll party, signing numerous bands, one of them being headliners The Who. The purpose of this event was to show off their hot new technology, which was going to allow millions of viewers worldwide to watch the concert on their computers at home. Well, in the end, Pixeton.com's technology was a bust, and the only folks who were able to watch the show were those in attendance at the MGM Grand. Now, seven years later, The Who's set is being released here as The Vegas Job-The Who Reunion Concert Live in Las Vegas. Not really so much of a reunion concert, as the band did the Quadrophenia tour just a few years earlier, but this show was more of a stripped down, back to basics approach, with original members Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, and John Entwistle, joined by drummer Zak Starkey and long-time keyboard player John 'Rabbit' Bundrick.
The band were in fine form on this night, banging out a short 90 minute set of Who classics like "I Can't Explain", "My Generation", "Baba O'Riley", "Pinball Wizard", "See Me, Feel Me", and of course "Won't Get Fooled Again". Surprises here include "5:15" from Quadrophenia, and some of their earlier hits not always played live, like "The Kids Are Alright" and "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere". Roger Daltrey at this point in time still had plenty of vocal range left to sing their older songs, and Townshend still performs like a youngster on his guitar. Of course it's great but sad to see "The Ox" John Entwistle here, as just a few short years later he will have left us. His bass playing is extraordinary throughout this set, cemeting his reputation as one of the all-time greats.
As bonus features there are short interviews with Daltrey and Entwistle, plus some silly interviews with fans in attendance that night. As far as latter day Who DVD's go, this is one of the better ones, showing the band pretty inspired and delivering a powerful performance.
Track Listing
- I Can't Explain
- Substitute
- Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
- Pinball Wizard
- See Me, Feel Me
- Baba O'Riley
- My Wife
- 5:15
- Behind Blue Eyes
- Who Are You
- Magic Bus
- Won't Get Fooled Again
- The Kids Are Alright
- My Generation