More than a riff of familiar in Who’s new songs

By Joan Anderman

GLOBE STAFF

The showstopper at every Who concert is “Baba O’Riley.” So it was interesting (but not especially surprising) when Pete Townshend announced to the audience that the iconic

Music anthem that inspires them to heights of ecstasy Review doesn’t do much for him anymore. The cheers are “a reminder that this music is more yours than ours,” Townshend said. “But I still own the copyright.”

The Who dutifully plumbed the back catalog Saturday, cranking out faithful and occasionally potent renditions of the crowd pleasers: “I Can’t Explain,” “Who Are You,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” and “Pinball Wizard” with support from British session bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr’s son) — a sumptuous, loose-limbed rhythm section that did the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle proud. Townshend’s brother Simon contributed harmony vocals and guitar parts.

Roger Daltrey bellowed honorably, replacing what he’s lost in vocal girth with extra gravel and phlegm and twirling

THE WHO, Page B7

ERIK JACOBS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE To replace what he’s lost in vocal girth over the years, Roger Daltrey, 62, poured on extra gravel in concert Saturday night in Boston.