Performed on viola, cello, and two violins, this string-quartet tribute to
the Who's
Tommy doesn't include the entire rock opera, instead choosing ten representative tracks, including "Overture," "Pinball Wizard," "Tommy Can You Hear Me?," and "Christmas." "Overture" and the accompanying "Underture" work particularly well, as does "I'm Free," with its resonating cello. The album is perhaps best listened to as proof of
Pete Townshend's ambition as a songwriter -- while many string tributes to pop albums suffer in the translation,
Tommy, in many ways, was translated itself, from opera to pop. Translating it further into classical is simply another step in the cycle. ~ Johnny Loftus