Disco de The Who: “Live from Toronto”

The audio on this concert is horrible. It sounds as though a microphone was placed in front of a TV and recorded. I could do better with my old stereo from 1985.

If you want to compare, listen to the bonus live tracks on the remastered It's Hard CD. The tracks are from the same show. On It's Hard's version of Eminence Front, the guitar solo is piercing and you can hear each of the members of the band clearly. On Live from Toronto, it is a muddled mess.

I have to believe that Pete Townshend or Roger Daltrey did not play a role in this release, because it is third rate. This concert was on HBO in the early 1980's, and I was looking forward to its release. Now, I am disappointed I made the purchase.

The Who's 2-CD set Live from Toronto is a must for all Who fans.

The album was previously released on VHS as "The Who Rocks America 1982" and was recorded at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in December of 1982 and was initially their farewell concert (they eventually came back).

This performance was the last performance of The Who's 1982 lineup which consisted of original members lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend and bass player John Entwistle (R.I.P. Ox) plus former Small Faces and Rod Stewart's Faces drummer Kenney Jones (who replaced the late Keith Moon in 1979) and keyboardist Tim Gorman (who only appeared with The Who for the It's Hard album and tour).

We begin with a spirited version of My Generation which was a great version. I Can't Explain is next and is a stellar version. Next is The Ox penned Dangerous (which also appears on the 1997 remastered It's Hard CD). Next is an awesome version of Sister Disco which is a killer version of this rocker from Who Are You. Next, The Ox (Entwistle) sings his great rocker The Quiet One. Next is a spirited version of the title cut to It's Hard (which also appears on the 1997 remastered It's Hard CD). We follow it with an excellent live version of Eminence Front (which also appears on the 1997 remastered It's Hard CD). Next is Baba O' Riley and what a version. Next is Entwistle's classic Boris The Spider which is a stellar version and has Townshend's demolition of Boris at the end. Next is a long version of the Quadrophenia track Drowned and has Pete on lead vocals and some extra verses at the end and stellar lead work from Pete and harmonica work from Daltrey. We end the first CD with a nice version of Love Ain't For Keeping.

Disc two begins with a spirited Pinball Wizard and we then segue into an excellent version of See Me Feel Me. Next is an excellent version of Who Are You. We follow it with an excellent version of 5:15. Next is possibly the best version of Love Reign O'er Me and gives me goosebumps each time I hear it. Long Live Rock follows and is a nice rocked up version of the classic. Next is the best version of Won't Get Fooled Again from the Jones era. We follow with the best version of Naked Eye I ever heard as it is slowed somewhat and just amazing. We follow with Squeeze Box and is a great version. We follow with a stellar Young Man Blues which was an awesome version though it's hard to rival the Isle of Wight or Kids Are Alright versions. We then end with a version of Twist and Shout which mirrored The Beatles' version before ending majestically.

There were three songs performed not on this album which were Behind Blue Eyes, Dr Jimmy and Cry If You Want (which also appears on the 1997 remastered It's Hard CD).

There is a three disc version of this available (which I found at Wal-Mart) and packaged in a digi-pack. The DVD is slipped in between the booklet and a cardboard slot, so pull out the DVD and put it safely in a DVD or CD jewel case for protection. The DVD is a transfer of "The Who Rocks America 1982" VHS video.

Excellent show and this is recommended!

This is taken from the same concert in 1982 that long ago was called "Who Rocks America" and was dubbed their "Farewell" Tour. I used to own the VHS of this and really enjoyed it. I love this concert. The band is energetic and still sounds good. If you get the 2 CD set w/ Bonus DVD the DVD has the 22 track concert in Digital Dolby 2.0/5.1 . It is not widescreen but 4:3 Fullscreen. It also appears that the source tape was not in the best condition but that could just be the old tube cameras that were used. Well worth your money.

Have always loved seeing unreleased archive performances,like this one finally be put out as a legit pressing.'Live...' took place in mid-December,1982 at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.I should know,because I was foolish ENOUGH to attend a local,movie-like showing of this concert AS it happened via satellite for nearly the cost of an actual concert ticket.This nearly two hour CD release of this concert is good. Was fun to once again to hear Who classics,like "My Generation","I Can't Explain","Sister Disco" (I've always loved this song),"Pinball Wizard","Baba O'Riley","Long Live Rock",the FM radio/late night staple "Won't Get Fooled Again" and the surprising finale "Twist And Shout". Very good choice here. A should-have.

I remember seeing The Who in St. Louis during this tour and they were great. The performance on this CD is still good, but this really does sound like a bootleg. If you're expecting "Live at Leeds" quality in the recording, you'll be disappointed.