The Who, (or “The Two” as I have affectionately called Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey for a while now) played and recorded a landmark concert back in 2023. Even for a group that has lumbered through six decades, Live At The Eden Project is a unique show. In the beautiful and highly sustainable setting of biomes nestled in the Cornish countryside, backed by the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra, here is yet another of The Who’s well-known “special location” shows. The 10 songs presented flip around The Who’s history, with the orchestra first especially outfitting themselves on the opening roll through seven songs from Tommy. There really isn’t anything like a full orchestra backing a rock band when it’s done with this kind of clarity and aplomb. I especially love how the instrumental “Sparks” fits in here as well as how strong Roger Daltry sounds from the jump.
After the Tommy set, things get really rockin’ with “Who Are You,” and a super funky “Eminence Front,” where the orchestra with its slicing strings and Townshend soloing are pretty fantastic! It’s certainly one of the highlights on Live At The Eden Project. Past a few older Who single classics, the band trots out the deep cut “Cry If You Want” from It’s Hard, a one-two punch of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” “Behind Blue Eyes,” then another suite of songs, what Townshend says are “excerpts from Quadrophenia.” The orchestra really meets the challenge of not only recreating but besting lots of the album’s orchestration on these, from the acoustic-led “I’m One” and, once again, in another real surprise, the instrumental “The Rock,” where the orchestra is mostly featured. This is another rare gem and highlight on Live At The Eden Project.
The collection ends with “Baba O’Riley,” the iconic opening arpeggiating synth notes sparking the set to its end, even with a slightly rough vocal from Daltrey. It’s nice so many years on to hear The Who in a live performance. With the help of an orchestra in a one-of-a-kind-setting, it’s The Who live with all the bells and whistles on Live At The Eden Project.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
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