REVIEW

WHO'S COUP

Despite its loss, the band's on sure footing

SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/BILL JANSCHA

Lead vocalist Roger Daltrey sounded strong as The Who played favorites at its Dallas show on Saturday at the American Airlines Center.

By DAVE FERMAN

STAR-TELEGRAM POP MUSIC CRITIC

DALLAS — When bassist John Entwistle was found dead in his hotel room in late June, fans of The Who debated whether the band should go ahead with its U.S. tour.

On the evidence of last night's show at the American Airlines Center, the band did the right thing by forging ahead.

Their show was not as consistently impressive as their August 2000 appearance at Reunion Arena, but the band performed with energy and conviction, with Pete Townshend often throwing in muscular guitar solos — and several funny between-song comments.

The show began at 8:10 p.m. with I Can't Explain and Substitute, the same two songs the band began with in 2000. Lead vocalist Roger Daltrey sounded strong, and the show moved briskly through favorites such as Who Are You and Behind Blue Eyes.

Entwistle was found June 27 in his Las Vegas hotel room the day before the tour was due to begin. His death was ruled to be the result of a heart attack caused by cocaine use.

Pino Palladino, who has worked on several Townshend solo projects, was hired to play bass for the tour. A native of Cardiff, Wales, he has worked live and in the studio with a wide array of musicians, from Jeff Beck to D'Angelo to Erykah Badu.

Palladino did a fine job throughout the evening, and even though the tempos dragged here and there, and Daltrey’s vocals weren’t always at their best, the band was never less than solid. And at their best — such as on Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, and My Generation — they were excellent.

Counting Crows opened the evening with a mediocre, all-acoustic set. Lead singer Adam Duritz said it was the band's only all-acoustic performance on the tour — and it was not an improvement. Working without a drummer, the band sounded unsure as it played favorites such as Rain King and new material like American Girls.

Dave Ferman, (817) 390-7839 dferman@star-telegram.com