The kids, er, the old men are 'alright'

review

By Mark Voger

Staff Writer

Crystal Ship, Sticky Fingers and Glass Onion be damned. The world's greatest "tribute" band took the stage Friday at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and made Led Zeppelin's songs their own.

(It didn't hurt one bit that Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was part of the band.)

The following evening, a revitalized Who played a greatest-hits revue that sounded as fresh as the first day these songs aired over the radio.

Page and roots rockers the Black Crowes hit the ground running with a giddy "Celebration Day." Page, all in black with tousled hair that reveals a faint bald spot in back, is beaming and alert, his playing dependable and dead-on.

Lanky, hawk-nosed singer Chris Robinson swivels and shimmies in a blue tie-dye shirt and tight white bell-bottoms. He transforms "In My Time of Dying" into the show's emotional centerpiece.

Also performed are "The Wanton Song," "What Is and What Should Never Be," "Your Time is Gonna Come," "The Lemon Song," "In the Light," "Nobody's Fault But Mine," "Bring It On Home," "Whole Lotta Love" and the odd Crowes song.

The evening proves an absolute win-win situation for both Zeppelin and Crowes fans.

The big news about Saturday's Who reunion is the return of Pete Townshend to the electric guitar.

In the '60s, Townshend never quite got his due as a guitar hero in a league with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and even Page. In recent Who tours, Townshend strummed an acoustic guitar while another guitarist provided the important electric business.

Not this tour. Seeing Townshend wring feedback from his guitar, throttle his whammy bar and execute his famous "windmill" strums is magic.

Townshend is indeed a great guitarist, performer and composer — but when he opens his mouth, he is his own worst enemy. Townshend spoils the show's momentum with his long-winded, rambling song introductions.

His wrathful side is in evidence, too. "Switch the — things off!"

Roger Daltrey performs with the Who Saturday at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

Townshend demands at one point, referring to bright spotlights. When something goes awry during "Magic Bus," Townshend throws two water bottles in obvious anger.

Daltrey is an incredible human specimen, his open shirt revealing "cut" chest and abs. You can't take your eyes off him as he twirls that mike.

Bassist John Entwistle, as ever, has the stage moves of a statue. The band is rounded out by Zak Starkey on drums and John Bundrick on keyboards, both bottomless pits of talent.

The Who performs "Substitute," "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere," "My Wife," "The Seeker," "Baba O'Reilly," "Bargain," "Pinball Wizard," "Behind Blues Eyes," "Won't Get Fooled Again," "The Kids Are Alright" and "My Generation."

There are hugs all around among these exhausted men. Says Townshend: "We're in love tonight."