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
Live at Leeds, 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
Tommy omits some decent songs from the opera, such as
"Sensation" and
"Underture." ~ Richie Unterberger