WHO SKA DO: You’ve heard the album,...
WHO SKA DO: You’ve heard the album, seen the movie and witnessed the Broadway spectacle. Now you can skank to it.
That’s right, it’s “Tommy: A Rock Steady Opera.”
A Los Angeles band, Ye Olde English, has produced a ska-reggae version of the Who’s classic, with all the original songs recast with Jamaican rhythms--plus a guest turn by Avery Schreiber as the wicked Uncle Ernie. (The comic’s son, Josh, is the band’s singer.)
But Pete Townshend’s publishing company has thus far refused the band permission to sell the work. Band member Paul Goldowitz, who conceived and produced the project, says some record companies are interested in the record if licensing rights can be obtained. Townshend’s New York lawyer, Ina Maibach, did not return Pop Eye’s calls.
The group may perform some of the “Tommy” material at its shows Nov. 18 at Raji’s and Nov. 24 at the Roxy.
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