This double CD is pretty similar in sound and content to the expanded
Live at Leeds
album, except there's much more from
Tommy
, and a few semi-obscure numbers like
"I Don't Even Know Myself,"
"Water,"
and
"Naked Eye."
Hardcore
Who
fanatics seem to prefer
, which was recorded only a few months before this material. That viewpoint is understandable: the performances are sharper on
Leeds
, and if you're not a big-league fan, that single-disc set is a more economical survey of the band in concert during this era. If you do like
the Who
a lot, though,
Isle of Wight
is worth having. The sound and performances are decent, although be aware that the band's on-stage version of
omits some decent songs from the opera, such as
"Sensation"
"Underture."
~ Richie Unterberger