The Who Release “Live at The Oval 1971,” Spotlighting John Entwistle’s Fiery Bass Genius
The Who have kicked off their farewell tour, but that doesn’t mean the music is over. The iconic rock band has opened up its archive to release Live at The Oval 1971, which captures the quartet at the height of their powers. While bootlegs have circulated over the last five decades, it’s the first-ever official recording of their set at George Harrison’s legendary fundraiser.
“With 35,000 in attendance, on September 18, 1971 The Who headlined ‘Goodbye Summer: A Rock Concert in aid of Famine Relief for the People of Bangladesh’ at The Oval cricket ground in Kennington, South London,” the band’s website explains. “Newly mixed from the original 8-track analog multi-track tapes, this concert shows The Who continuing their dominance as the top live rock band of the era.”
By 1971, The Who had released five albums: My Generation, A Quick One, The Who Sell Out, Tommy, and Who’s Next. With that in mind, it makes sense that the band’s set from The Oval reads more like a greatest hits album than a standard gig. The quartet of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle is on fire as they tear through “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Substitute,” “Magic Bus,” and more.
It’s another opportunity to marvel at the genius of the Entwistle, whose bass is, fortunately, high in the mix. First, listen to “My Generation” from the set, which has all the fervor and wild abandon you could want. Entwistle put a new spin on his iconic solo breaks.
Another highlight features The Ox taking the helm for “My Wife,” which was released on Who’s Next just a month before this concert.
Live at The Oval 1971 is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (Apple Music, and Amazon Music).
The Who’s farewell tour, dubbed “The Song is Over,” features Daltrery and Townshend with bassist Jon Button filling Entwistle’s enormous shoes. Find more about the tour here.
Live at The Oval 1971 Track Listing:
- So Glad To See Ya
- Summertime Blues
- My Wife
- Love Ain’t For Keeping
- I Can’t Explain
- Substitute
- Bargain
- Behind Blue Eyes
- Won’t Get Fooled Again
- Baby Don’t You Do It
- Pinball Wizard
- See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You
- My Generation
- Naked Eye
- Magic Bus
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
