ROGER DALTREY LIVE AT THE SHED AT TANGLEWOOD
By Joe Perusse
Roger Daltrey at the Koussevitzky Shed at Tanglewood
I made my first trip to Tanglewood around 10 years ago buying a seat in the shed. My friend Heather, the self proclaimed queen of Tanglewood, told me to get there early and enjoy the lawn first regardless of where I was watching the show. This was sound advice which I will share with my readers. The lawn at Tanglewood is a magical place where everyone is friendly, people are picnicking, tables with flowers in vases and back then even candelabras and tents.
Tonight was my first time back in a couple years and while the magic of the lawn and Heather having no idea where center stage is remain, a few things have changed. You can no longer set up a tent on the lawn so make sure to keep an eye on the weather and the candelabras have gone away due to a no open flame rule.
Now on one trip to Tanglewood, Heather was showing me different parts of the lawn and upon return to the table seeing melted plastic food containers, burnt paper plates and a scorched table top I’m thinking she may have contributed to this ruling. Thankfully other patrons had extinguished the fire from her candles and she has been allowed to return.
On this night I was out on the lawn for Roger Daltrey’s 2024 North American tour. Daltrey was in a playful mood with the crowd and at various times during the show answered questions fans had submitted. Opening with “Let My Love Open the Door”, a Pete Townshend cover, Daltrey had the crowd excited right from the start. He mentioned how he first played at Tanglewood 55 years ago and then answered some questions. He was happy to affirm that his wife was the Foxy Lady that Jimi Hendrix had wrote the song for.
Next was “Freedom Ride” and asking for the crowd to let him hear us, we obliged for “Who Are You”. “Waiting for a Friend” written by mandolin player Billy Nicholls followed. After “So Sad About Us” and “After the Fire”, Daltrey told a story about working at 15 after being kicked out of school, using bomb sites as playgrounds and after playing with the band 4-5 nights a week he decided to end his apprenticeship and give the music thing a real try. Weekends were so special back then and “Days of Light” brought him back to that period of his life.
A fan question asked him to take off his shirt. Saying there is nothing pretty about an 80 year old with no shirt he played “Giving It All Away”, a Leo Sayer cover. A singing competition between the males and females followed for “Squeeze Box”. Saying they didn’t even rehearse it but he was switching things up, the band did a great job on “Naked Eye”. Asking for some help with the screaming because he wasn’t doing it anymore, the crowd got to their feet for “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. Katie Jacoby (Violin) shined during the song.
Daltrey got on the harmonica for “Going Mobile” a song he said The Who never played live. Taking over vocals was Simon Townshend (Guitar) and Daltrey pointed out he does just as good a job as Pete and he’s much easier to get along with. “Real Good Looking Boy” a song about Elvis was next and then two covers from John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), who Daltrey said was his favorite singer, “Born on the Bayou” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” followed.
In between the 2 songs were more fan questions. Daltrey said he misses Keith Moon every day, he was so talented. We got snippets of “Pinball Wizard” and “ Love Ain’t for Keepin’” from requests and learned his favorite venue to play is the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Another Nicholls cover “ Without Your Love” was next. Talking about how Paul Simon helped get The Who started in the US by mentioning them to a radio station the band played a cover of “The Boy in the Bubble”.
Almost everyone was up and singing for “Baba O”Riley” and Jacoby once again amazed with the violin. Band intro’s followed. Also playing with Daltrey on this night were Scott Devours(Drums), Jody Linscott (Percussion), Doug Boyle (Guitar), John Hogg (Bass), Steve Weston (Harmonica) and Geraint Watkins (Keyboards/Accordion). Ending the night was “Young Man Blues” a Mose Allison cover. Daltrey said he always liked playing it but Pete didn’t because he didn’t get publishing.
Opening the Evening was KT Tunstall. She played a fun 6 song set paying respect to Ella Fitzgerald and Edie Brickell during “Dear Shadow/Summertime/What I Am”. She introduced her band as being from Taiwan as it was all electronic accessories. Closing with a medley of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree/ Black Betty/Seven Nation Army “ and “Suddenly I See” the crowd was ready for Daltrey.
Any question about Tanglewood or fire starting feel free to reach out to Heather on Instagram @alwaysbooked22. She’ll be so happy.
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