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The Who - Live At Leeds:

Album: Live At Leeds

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: "Live At Leeds" [Polydor (UK), Decca (USA), MCA-reissue (USA), MCA (Canada), Polydor (France), Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Holland), Polydor (Spain), Polydor (Brazil), Polydor (Israel), Polydor (Japan)] "These Are The Who Live At Leeds" [Polydor-fan club edition (Germany)]

CDs (original mix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), MCA (USA), Polydor (Japan)

CDs (remix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), MCA (USA), Polydor (Japan)

CDs (2001 Deluxe Edition) Sampled: Polydor (UK-Promo), Polydor (Brazil), Polydor (Germany), MCA (USA)

LP Comments: The Polydor German copy from the "Phases" box set seems to stand out here. The re-issue MCA (USA) sounds terrible and the Polydor (Japan) sounds a bit muddy. The other ones seem to vary a bit based on vinyl quality ...

CD (original mix) comments: The Polydor (Germany) really is great and the MCA (USA) is really horrible. The Polydor (Japan) adds some extra bass that isn't needed.

CD (remix) comments: Both the Polydor (Germany) and MCA (USA) sound very good. However, I'll give the edge to the MCA, as it's a bit crisper in all the right ways, without being bright or harsh. The Polydor (Japan) has that extra bass, but doesn't sound as good as the German one.

CD (2001 Deluxe Edition) Comments: Frustrating! The 1995 remix was great! While there were good intentions to release this <more> complete version, it is severely over processed. The use of too much noise reduction has caused added distortions and changed the sound of instruments and vocals, particularly noticeable on the "Tommy" disc. Disc one, (which is almost the same as the 1995 release), doesn't sound as good as the 1995 release. The MCA (USA), Polydor (Brazil) and Polydor (Germany) sound the same. The Polydor (UK) promo sounds as if it's an earlier version - less processed. As a result, the instruments and vocals sound more natural and are less affected by the excessive noise reduction, which mostly stands out when listening to the crowd noise or stage banter.

Summary: If you like the original mix, go for the Polydor (German) CD and if you like the 1995 remix, the MCA (USA). Unfortunately, the 2001 "Deluxe Edition" doesn't sound as good as either, which is unfortunate because it contains some great performances. If you can find a Polydor (UK) promo, that's the one to get.

Other Comments: The 2001 "Deluxe Edition" release also contains some unnecessary overdubs. For example, most of the vocals on "See Me, Feel Me" were re-recorded for this release. The original vocals were fine!

Track Listing: Original Album: Young Man Blues, Substitute, Summertime Blues, Shakin' All Over, My Generation, Magic Bus.

1995 Remix: Heaven And Hell, I Can't Explain, Fortune Teller, Tattoo, Young Man Blues, Substitute, Happy Jack, I'm A Boy, A Quick One While He's Away, Amazing Journey/Sparks, Summertime Blues, Shakin' All Over, My Generation, Magic Bus

2001 "Deluxe Edition":

Disc 1: Heaven And Hell, I Can't Explain, Fortune Teller, Tattoo, Young Man Blues, Substitute, Happy Jack, I'm A Boy, A Quick One While He's Away, Summertime Blues, Shakin' All Over, My Generation, Magic Bus.

Disc 2: Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Do You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Smash The Mirror, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It.

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