The Who: The Vegas Job

In one of the bonus segments for this October 1999 reunion concert featuring The Who at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a host tells the waiting audience: “all of you are being seen by one billion people in the world.” The Internet startup company Pixelon.com was throwing a $16 million party live over the web, showcasing Kiss, Tony Bennett, the Dixie Chicks, and others, in addition to The Who. Unfortunately, the technology turned out to be bogus, the company president (operating under an assumed name) was later convicted as an embezzler, and the only people entertained were those in physical attendance at the MGM…until now. Joined by Zak Starkey on drums and John Bundrick on keyboards, original Who members Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), and the late John “The Ox” Entwistle (bass) perform a solid hit-filled set, presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo. Not quite as electrifying as the 2000 The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (VL-11/01), The Who: The Vegas Job is still a fine retrospective, with standouts amongst the 14 songs including “I Can't Explain,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O'Riley,” “5:15” (with a rockin' bass solo by Entwistle), the luminous “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won't Get Fooled Again,” and the popular Entwistle tune “My Wife.” Perhaps the best number is a funky version of “Magic Bus,” with Daltrey kicking out the jams on harmonica. DVD extras include interviews with Daltrey and Entwistle, and the aforementioned host/audience interview featurette. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)