The band played their first hit single, “I Can’t Explain.” Then, Roger introduced “I Don’t Even Know Myself” as a new number off an upcoming album that never materialized. It was so new he got the title wrong. “Water,” a motif Townsend used often, was also a new one, but it could have been an old blues number with its lyrics about down-on-their-luck characters and the salacious need for somebody’s daughter. They played some covers and a few hits before concluding with an abbreviated version of Tommy. “Tommy Can You Hear Me?” is played over the credits as the band leaves the stage and Moon hams it up earlier in the day backstage.
The performance is absolutely brilliant and a pleasure to behold. Purists may rightly complain about the songs being presented out of order and some being incomplete; however, the concert works as director Murray Lerner presents it. Only someone aware and looking for jump cuts would notice them. The CD soundtrack presents the show in its entirety and proper running order.
Live at The Isle of Wight Festival 1970 has previously been released on VHS in 1996 and on DVD in 1998 and 2004. The packaging for this edition is misleading because it states the film was restored and remixed and includes a “brand new exclusive” interview of Townsend. These are the same claims made on the 2004 edition, and fans are posting online that they don’t notice a difference. Upon further review, the packaging still has a 2004 copyright. What is definitely new on the 2006 edition is the inclusion of two previously unseen tracks, “Substitute” and “Naked Eye.” However, it makes no sense why they weren’t inserted into the film instead of making the viewer access them separately.
Article comments
1 - Vern Halen
I'm old enough to know there is no such thing as the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band. Even that guitar slinger from that other WGRNR Band, Whatsisname Richards-something-or-other, has said, "On any given night, ANY band can be the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band."
BUT - IF there was such a thing, THE WHO definitley would be in the running for all the reasons listed in the article above and more. Frankly, I think they've been underrated for a long time, and maybe this DVD will go a long way towards restoring them back on the Rock and Roll equivalent of Mount Olympus with the other Rock Gods.... and who are those deities? Pick twelve, and let the ceremonies begin.
2 - El Bicho
I'll bite. In no particular order, for different reasons, and not necessarily my twelve all-time favorites:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Who
Pink Floyd
The Velvet Underground
The Grateful Dead
Led Zeppelin
The Ramones
The Cure
U2
R.E.M.
Metallica
Many deserve demigod status for signifigant contributions to the art form.
3 - Vern Halen
Lots in common here:
The Big Three:
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Who
The Next Three:
Led Zeppelin
Mott the Hoople
Free
America the Beautiful:
Aerosmith
Cheap Trick
Lynyrd Skynyrd
America - The Great Unwashed:
The Velvet Underground
Alice Cooper
The Doors
Classic rock bands only here - nothing contemporary, and no solo artists w/backing (i.e., Bruce S & the E Street Band). Aw heck, amybe this is a pointless exercise - you're right EB - there's lots of others whose contributions are too important to ignore by limiting the list to twelve.
4 - El Bicho
I had Skynyrd to get some Southern feel and hell, for Freebird alone, but took them out. Replaced them went with R.E.M. since they were from the area and came out of the college/alternative scene.
The Doors are close to the top, and I would put them in my top 12. Maybe another album or two would have sealed the deal. They were in my honorable mentions along with Aerosmith, but the list would have been way too long. Your namesake was close as well.
I almost took The Beatles off the list because I see them more as a pop band, back before the term became an insult, rather than rock.
How come you don't write about music, VH?
5 - Vern Halen
Thanx for your encouragement. Actually, I've been busy with a music project for just over two years now, and it just wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. So, first, I'm taking a bit of a rest, and then I'm going to consider my options hopefully before New Year's. I used to write a bimonthly regular column in a local musician's publication years ago, and maybe it's time I cleaned off the rust, which as you know, never sleeps.
6 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites.