Live at Royal Albert Hall

The Who

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2003)
• ASIN: B0002546SK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Who wrapped up their 2000 World Tour--possibly their final wave of the Union Jack hankie now that John Entwhistle has died--with this red-carpet Teenage Cancer Trust charity shindig at the Royal Albert Hall. Time has taken its toll on some of the Who's more splenetic sensibilities; there are times when Roger Daltrey sounds too seasoned and contented to muster much in the way of vocal vitriol. But the old grumblers can still sound enthusiastically cross. While few live albums rival Live at Leeds for impelling urgency, Live at the Royal Albert Hall has added curiosity value by virtue of the contributions from a slew of younger and famous devotees, including Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones, and Kennedy. Not to be upstaged by younger bucks, the Who sound positively regal on "Won't Get Fooled Again" and as feral as rutting tigers on "My Generation." --Kevin Maidment

Product Description
First time on CD for what was previously a DVD/video only release, originally issued in 2001. This 3 CD limited edition features 25 tracks recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall on the 27th of November 2000 on discs 1 & 2, and 4 more bonus tracks recorded live at The Royal Albert Hall on the 8th of February 2002 on disc 3, 'I'm Free', 'I Don't Even Know Myself', 'Summertime Blues' & 'Young Man Blues'. Features special guests Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones, Kennedy, Eddie Vedder & Paul Weller. Standard double jewel case. SPV.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original recording was good but this is astounding !!!!, February 20, 2004

By	Henry J. Messier "skimess" (Cranston, RI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Audio CD)

Having purchased the original Steamhammer recording when it was first released, I didn't think that anything could top the quality of the original disc, live recordings being what they can be. Often times the sound is muddy or unbalanced or the crowd noise is beefed way too high in the mix. Well, believe me when I tell you that the SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel version completely blows it away. Everything is pristeenly clean and clear with no break ups at any level that I played it at! Pete's guitar (power chords and all) were clear and (unwanted) distortion-free. John's bass was thunderous yet very clear and solid and Zak's drums and cymbals were perfect yet none of the aforementioned instuments got in the way of Roger's vocals. Personally, I wish more cd's were available in this format as it buries the sound quality of a standard cd. If only the prices of SACD discs were more reasonable. Aside from that shortcoming, I recommend this disc wholeheartedly.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Performance, poor production, July 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (with Bonus Disc) (Audio CD)

This is an excellent performance by the best live band of all time. Unfortunatly poor sound limits its sonic impact on the listener. There is way too much compression and the result is a rather dull, muddy sound. The audio on the dvd version is far superior. The only saving grace of the cd set is the inclusion of a couple of songs left off the dvd, as well as a bonus disc containing 4 tracks from John Entwistle's last concert with the Who. While I recommend both, if you have to choose one go with the dvd.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good for Senior Citizens, November 23, 2005

By	Cory (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (with Bonus Disc) (Audio CD)

Don't get me wrong. This is no "Live at Leeds". This is no "Isle of Wight". But believe me, this is still better than most live albums. John Entwistle is at his peak in the peformance of "5:15". Pete's playing sounds great throughout the album. Although Roger Daltrey's vocals are definitely not what they used to be, they still aren't unbearable. Zak Starkey is the best drummer that could've followed Keith Moon. Exiciting guest peformances from Noel Gallagher, Eddie Vedder and more.

Bottomline:If you can get this cheap like I did, then get it. Entwistle's bass solo in 5:15 is worth a few dollars itself. If not, then be sure to get "Live at Leeds" as a testament of The Who's live domination of the rock industry.