Pete Townshend, Alfie Boe, Billy Idol, and a full orchestra and choir perform "Quadrophenia" at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on September 16, 2017.
I come from the classical music world, and some things can't be improved upon. While Alfie has great pipies, there's a reason Pete Townshend is Pete Townshend. A true genius. Pete's voice is so much more expressive, appropriate and theatrical. As for the orchestration, Rachel did an ok job, but Keith's "falling down the stairs" drumming, Ox's demonic bass and Pete's guitar playing, can't be met and certainly not bested. The Who's version has given me chills since it came out. This is just sterile. I'm glad they had fun and if they turned a few young people on to the original, it's all worth it.
I totally agree! I have been listening to quadrophenia since 1973, it occurred to me once or twice that being a work of such depth and brilliance, it should be given a "proper" classical orchestration, but I really do not think it can be improved upon, a modern classic and a genius composer that executed the vision to perfection!
I was there too. Amazing scoring and sound. He took something old and made it new and different. My 21 year old son was with me and he was loving every minute of it. He kept saying "This is amazing!"
Lush beautiful orchestrations akin to Les Miserables Victor Hugo and like the interplay and chemistry of ensemble vocalists. Cheers Sir Eric and Peter a Bramble signature cocktail and David Beckham Haig a Petrus Pomerol as well.
Reminiscent of Eric Coates the three Elizabethans and Frederick Delius along with Eric Fenby the evocative ethereal classic quadrophenia with the violin and cellos string theory. Cheers Sir and colleagues.
All these formally trained musicians playing Quadrophenia( my favorite Who album BTW), well let's say it's not their dream gig. I guess it beats giving lessons though.
Sorry, you may have already seen this, but just in case...www.thewho.com/classic-quadrophenia/. Orchestration by Rachel Fuller. An interesting interpretation.
