DVD Review

Perhaps it’s a smart move to occasionally leave out the numbers. The majority of this collection was originally released in 1994 as 30 Years of Maximum R&B, but, for this re-issue, the title has been shortened to Maximum R&B Live. You see “30 Years” sounds cool, but “45 Years,” that’s kind of frightening for a rock band. It makes one wonder, “How are these guys still even going?”

And the answer is that half of them are not. Drummer Keith Moon passed away in 1978 due to a lifetime of partying crammed into a 32 year lifespan, while John Entwistle eventually fell victim to similar complications, only many years later in 2002. Incredibly Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey have soldiered on through all this, and to this day continue to present jaw-dropping, head banging, fist pumping rock shows. Plus, they can still drop an album every twenty years or so which can blow away any present day Rolling Stones record out of the water. See 2006’s Endless Wire for further proof.

But even though the name has been changed, this collection still only consists of live footage up to 1989. Hardcore fans will certainly relish the early footage on the first disc, particularly a very lively and still very mod run through “So Sad About Us” at The Marquee Club in 1967. Per usual Keith Moon is the revelation. He is young, on fire and already a tornado on the drum kit.

A run through “A Quick One While He’s Away” at Monterey Pop fails to top the superior version the band shot for the Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus (the footage is also featured in The Kids Are Alright.) All the Tommy era live clips (from shows at the London Coliseum and the Isle Of Wright) are now, as opposed to 1994, available as part of entire shows on DVD. If you don’t already have the Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 disc, the performance of “Young Man Blues” included here is a real treat. The band was explosive that night, and this song really allows Moon, Entwistle, and Townshend to open up in it’s raging instrumental section.

So that’s the prime era footage. After a quick stop in Amsterdam circa 1972 for a decent run though “My Generation,” the next block of songs are from a huge 1974 show at the Charlton Football Club. This is where the Quadrophenia material pops up. “Drowned” and Keith Moon’s lyrical staple, “Bell Boy,” are the core representations from that album on this DVD. “Bell Boy” is a hoot just in terms of watching Moon fumbling with his headphones both times he is featured on vocals. His delivery is pure comedy at it’s finest. Unfortunately, the final set number from this show included on the collection is the abysmal “My Generation Blues,” which is mid-70’s white boy blues at it’s ugliest. Luckily The Who camp seems to have realized over the years that “My Generation” works better as punk rock than blues.

The first disc also includes the same “Won’t Get Fooled Again” which is now featured in the full concert The Who At Kilburn: 1977. Of course, this show would prove to be the true end of The Who version 1.0 as Keith Moon would pass away soon after. The disc picks up the band rehearsing for the first time with a new drummer and keyboardist in 1979. The rehearsal footage caught on film here is prime material as the band seems newly re-energized. “Sister Disco” really moves and seems a good fit for the more driving drumming assault of Kenny Jones, while “Who Are You” is equally powerful, but, unfortunately only a partial performance. The next set of songs from Chicago 1979 showcase this same line-up, with John Entwistle’s legendary concert staple “My Wife” emerging as the obvious stand-out in this batch. It’s one of the few songs that Kenny Jones really livened up during his tenure with the band. This set ends with an okay run through “Pinball Wizard,” which just doesn’t seem the same minus Keith Moon on drums.

Soon after two songs from the band’s legendary Shea Stadium shows in 1982 are featured. The epic “Love Reign O’er Me” proves its worth as a stadium rocker, as Townshend delivers the classic lead guitar parts in his oh so new-wave looking threads. I mean how many performers have the balls to wear two belts? “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is also thrown in for good measure, even though the version here lacks the punch of even the somewhat sloppy Kilburn take. It’s good, just not awesome.

The final three-set punch catches the band at Giants Stadium in 1989. The most notable aspect about this footage is that it is the first time the group is actually starting to look old. Entwistle’s “Boris The Spider” starts off the set and even though it’s a fun song, it seems even more like a novelty in ‘89 than it did in ‘69. The two prime cuts here are “I Can See For Miles” and “See Me, Feel Me,” even though Townsend is committing what I would consider a Who sacrilege by playing acoustic guitar on both! It is notable that Townsend was sporting a ponytail at this show – perhaps his hippy hair was affecting his better judgment.

Of course there are a boat load of great interviews on disc one as well. One of the funniest has to be Entwistle moaning and groaning about how much he hated to play “Magic Bus.” The true coup with this reissue, though, is the inclusion of the complete “Live At Rockpalast” show shot in Germany in the early 80’s. Even more amazing is the fact that The Who opened for the Grateful Dead on this night. There’s a wonderful pre-show interview nugget which catches Townshend relating how the band had already had “a long career now at practically thirteen years.” If only he knew how many more ear ringing nights he would host in the decades to come.

Editor’s Note: JamsBio is partnering with Universal Music Enterprises to pay tribute to one of rock and roll’s greatest live bands – The Who. For the limited edition, deluxe 2-DVD reissue of Maximum R&B Live, we’re asking you to help celebrate 30 years of legendary live who by (1) playing The Who edition “Scrumbler” puzzle game, (2) and adding to top-5 lists related to The Who’s remarkable career. Join the fun!

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