The Who Thunders Through

Glitches Offset By Volatile Mix Of Band's Best

By ERIC R. DANTON

COURANT ROCK CRITIC

All these years later, Pete Townshend hasn't lost much in the way of volatility.

The famously irascible guita-

MUSIC REVIEW

rist's ire boiled over midway through The Who's set Friday at Mohegan Sun when his guitar rig cut out during "You Better, You Bet." In a flash, he whipped his black Stratocaster off his shoulder and heaved it across the stage, then motioned impatiently for a roadie to bring out a new one.

It was one of a couple of technical glitches in the two-hour show, but nothing so trivial as faulty wiring could slow the barrage of what the band has always referred to as "maximum R&B."

Of course, it's not the same band as the one that last played Connecticut in 1997. Founding bassist John Entwistle, a rhythmic rock upon whom the other musicians' sonic fury broke, died in 2002. Yet The Who carried on, the same way the band persevered after original drummer Keith Moon died in 1978.

Their stand-ins, Zack Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) on drums and Pino Palladino on bass, admirably helped steer Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey through a set comprising a few numbers from The Who's latest album, and a slew of the most enduring songs, including a thunderous version of "My Generation" that led into an extended jam.

Although it took the band a few tunes to really get rolling, Townshend was electric from the start as he blasted out the opening chords to "I Can't Explain." He leaped into the air when the drums kicked in as Daltrey swung the microphone around by its cord while vintage video clips of the band played on screens overhead. The early part of the set featured tunes from the early part of The Who's career, including "The Seeker" and "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere," with its malevolently jangling guitar riff.

The tour has taken its toll on Daltrey's voice, and he struggled a bit with the higher notes on "The Seeker" and "Who Are You" and sang in a lower register on "Behind Blue Eyes." But he reached deep down inside to hit the upper end of "Baba O'Riley," and summoned a mighty roar on "Won't Get Fooled Again," which closed out the regular set.

The band returned for an encore largely cobbled together from bits of its rock opera, "Tommy," including "Pinball Wizard" and "Amazing Journey," before closing with Townshend on acoustic guitar accompanying Daltrey on "Tea & Theatre."

The Pretenders opened the show with a 50-minute set that included the hits "I'll Stand By You" and "My City Was Gone." Singer Chrissie Hynde's voice sounded strong throughout, and guitarist Adam Seymour pulled off a series of jaw-dropping solos on "Don't Get Me Wrong."

Visit www.ctnow.com/danton for The Who's set list.

Contact Eric R. Danton at edanton@courant.com.