The Who: Who's Better, Who's Best

This compilation celebrating the first 25 years of The Who—Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), the late John “The Ox” Entwistle (bass), and the late Keith Moon (drums)—serves up 17 “music videos” (some featuring live concert footage, others mixing studio recordings with archival footage of the band) in DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo. As far as blasts from the past go, this is fairly unremarkable stuff (Who fans will recognize a lot of this material from the 1979 documentary The Kids Are Alright [VL-11/03]). Highlights include “Pinball Wizard” and “See Me, Feel Me” from Tommy performed at Woodstock in 1969 and featuring a long-locked, bare-chested, microphone-swinging Daltrey; the original promo film for “Join Together”; the lads on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour playing “I Can See for Miles”; and the shopworn if still electrifying “Won't Get Fooled Again,” with Townshend's famous cross-stage knee slide. DVD extras include three bonus songs—also appended to the end of the main program—“Don't Let Go the Coat,” “Another Tricky Day,” and “Eminence Front,” all dating from the early ‘80s and featuring Kenney Jones on drums. Completists will want, but this is optional for those who already own The Kids Are Alright and/or a good concert DVD such as the 2000 The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (VL-11/01). Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)