Moonlighting: The Anthology

by

Roger Daltrey

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It is true that Roger's solo work will always take a back seat to the Who (same goes for Entwistle's, and much of Townshend's), but this 2-CD collection is a great examination of Daltrey's evolution as a singer, from the Who to his own stuff. It also proves that like any good singer, he can shift his voice into anything he bloody well wants.

The first CD covers his early solo stuff, up to "Under A Raging Moon." While I didn't care much for the quality of the earliest work, being Leo Sayer and Dave Courtenay's tunes, Daltrey showed he had a softer, more sensitive side that did not get much of a workout in the Who. "Giving It All Away" was a top five hit in the UK in '73, and was a very good song, considering the source.

Roger digs a bit more into the rock world with Russ Ballard's "Come And Get Your Love," and stuff like "Avenging Annie." All good, though I think a few songs are missing...his cutting of "You Put Something Better Inside Me" and "Oceans Away" (which you can find on '82's "Best Bits" collection) were both pretty solid tunes, and they really should be here.

The author notes a few other B-sides are missing that I'd like to have heard about, especially in the later work. In any case, CD #2 takes from one of the '85 mini-tour shows (I used to have a killer bootleg of that), the "Daltrey Sings Townshend" shows and "Rocks In The Head," Roger's very best solo job (he wrote most of the tunes, and Townshend gave his endorsement to them!). Again, missing is one good song, "Days of Light," from that album.

Also liked the performance of "Mack the Knife" from the Threepenny Opera (eat your heart out, Bobby Darin!), and "The Pig Must Die." Proves Roger can indeed sing anything.

Some of the soundtrack work is here, like "Quicksilver Lightning," a song more memorable than the movie, and I must admit I was a bit stunned at the other covers.

"Rock and Roll" was handled well by Daltrey for a tennis players' benefit CD, and Jon McEnroe and Pat Cash on guitars (?!?) was interesting...though I see why the studio pro's slide guitar washed a lot of their work out! The cover of "Born to Run" was good, even with Daltrey forgetting the first line!

"A Second Out" was unreleased til now...good song...and I'm damn glad Daltrey is exploring his ability as a writer.

In any case, this collection is very good and covers the bases well...now...I am in suspense of Who-2 and just what Pete and Roger are gonna get together in the near future.