'THE WHO' ASSAULTS EARS; LYRICAL WHEN NOT PAINFUL

By KICKY SHERMAN and

JOHN K. SHERMAN JR.

Two capacity audiences were bombarded last night at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater by The Who, a British rock group. Bombarded is the only word for it. Louder than a screaming jet, more powerful than a jack hammer, The Who assaulted, stunned and delighted a largely young audience.

Happily included on the program were Dave Ray, John Koerner and Tony Glover, local musicians in their long overdue Guthrie debut.

The Who staged what might be called a “happening,” an environmental onslaught on the senses.

From the opening number, “Heaven and Hell,” to the blasting and sudden finish, “Shake it All Over,” the group jumped and gyrated with tremendous energy in an electronic shock to the brain. One left the concert with ringing ears.

Insane din

More than half of the selections played were from The Who’s new album, “Tommy,” a rock opera written by Peter Townshend, lead guitarist. The tunes seemed inventive, sometimes lyrical and rythmically interesting while they remained at a volume below the threshold of pain. When some of their earlier material was played, the stage, which was filled with 20 odd speakers and amplifiers, became an erupting volcano of sound. Lyrics, individual notes and any meaning were wiped out by an insane din.

Koerner, Ray and Glover’s prelude to the holocaust was refreshing. The local boys were received warmly by the audience and warmly gave of their folk-blues-rag stuff. The three presented with their low-key humor and musical informality a genuine presence in contrast to The Who’s theatrical overkill. This was a musical reunion for Koerner, Ray and Glover, who have gone their separate ways musically in the past years. They played songs from their early records and ended with the unaccompanied work song, “Linin’ Track.”

The concert was one in a series in The Walker Art Center’s summer program, including Johnny Winter June 29, the Mothers of Invention July 13, and The Elvin Jones Trio July 27.

KICKY SHERMAN is a musician; JOHN SHERMAN is a free lance writer.