To even the most casual rock fan, The Who’s seminal Live At Leeds is considered one of the greatest live rock albums ever, showcasing the immeasurable talents of singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, drummer Keith Moon, and bassist John Entwistle. Live At The Oval, 1971, recorded a couple of years after Live At Leeds, reveals the fearsome foursome as one of the best live rock acts of the day, ruling the concert stages in the late 60s and early 70s.
On September 19, 1971, the band headlined “Goodbye Summer: A Rock Concert,” a fundraiser in aid of famine relief for the people of Bangladesh. It was held at The Oval cricket ground in Kennington, south London, before a crowd of 35,000. The 15 songs from The Who’s performance have been newly mixed from the original eight-track analog multi-track tapes.
A snippet-of-a-song “So Glad To See Ya,” begins with the band rolling into “Summertime Blues,” famous from the aforementioned Live At Leeds, but sounding just as heavy here. Then we are hit with the then-new songs from Who’s Next, which was released just weeks before this concert. John Entwistle sings lead on his “My Wife,” before the band falls into “Love Ain’t For Keeping.” Neither really stands out, save for maybe some fun jamming at the end of “My Wife.”
With Moon up front in the mix throughout, it is hard not to be pushed along by his wild flumping drum attack. “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” easily fare best from Who’s Next. They remain staples in the band’s set to this day. Daltrey’s vocals are a powerhouse. Although Townshend’s guitar initially sounds too high in the mix of “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” it somehow settles in and we get a competent read on what would become a classic Who song.
“Pinball Wizard,” may be one of the best tracks on the set. The set winds down with “My Generation,” “Naked Eye,” and harmonica jam-ender “Magic Bus,” which results in Townshend and Moon all but destroying their equipment, creating an end no band could match or follow.
As the time of this review, The Who, which might be facetiously called ‘The Two’ at this point with Daltrey and Townshend as the only OGs still alive, are on what is supposed to be their final tour. No matter what they may or may not sound like in 2025, Live At The Oval, 1971 reminds us of how The Who delivered to rabid rock audience way back when they were Rock Gods who walked the Earth.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
