WhiteFang's Who Site

The Who | Previous Showcase Items (2008):

Previous Showcase: The Who - Tommy  - 1970 New Zealand 45 (EP)

The Who Showcase: Week of July 13, 2008 To celebrate the success of the 1970 Live At Leeds LP, the folks at the New Zealand Polydor office decided to release their version of the Tommy EP (Overture/Christmas/I'm Free/See Me, Feel Me) with the artwork from the poster that came as one of the 12 inserts with Leeds...  This EP is fairly rare - I have only seen a handful of copies over the years. Allegedly, a similar picture cover was used for the New Zealand Happy Jack single, but I have never been able to confirm that... Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Roger Daltrey - Roger Daltrey - 1973 Germany Cassette

The Who Showcase: Week of July 6, 2008 This week's showcase is as simple as it is unusual. Just arriving in yesterday's mail - Roger Daltrey's first solo album, released on cassette in Germany, 1973... However, what makes this unique amongst its peers is simply its title - Roger Daltrey - vs. its title everywhere else in the world, Daltrey. The Germany LP was released with the correct title - why the change for the cassette version? Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - Instant Party/A Legal Matter - 1966 Sweden 45

The Who Showcase: Week of June 29, 2008 One of the more elusive records I have ever come across is the 1966 45, Instant Party/A Legal Matter from Sweden. I saw it first at the Utrecht Record Fair about 4 years ago. I was told it was the rarest Who record from Sweden and the asking price was very steep. By the time I thought it over and decided to buy it, the record was already gone. Occasionally, a copy would show up again at a subsequent show in Utrecht and typically sell out very quickly before I had even a chance to see it. Several months ago, I had the opportunity to bid on a copy via auction and while I thought my bid was very generous, I got seriously out bid. Then, out of nowhere, the nice person who ran the previous auction contacted me and offered me another copy he found - and now my want list has one less entry... Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Pete Townshend - Forever's No Time At All - 1972 UK 45

The Who Showcase: Week of June 22, 2008 Pictured to your left is Pete Townshend's first single, Forever's No Time At All/This Song Is Green (from his first solo album, Who Came First). What makes this single especially interesting, is that while Pete plays on both of these songs, he neither wrote them or sings vocals on either of them (they were written and sung by Pete's friend, Billy Nicholls). This single is fairly rare and was only issued in the UK.      Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - The Ox - 1970 Holland LP

The Who Showcase: Week of June 15, 2008 In 1970, someone at Track Records, UK came up with a great idea - A Who album made up of all John Entwistle songs! It was called, Backtrack 14. In the same year, The Ox (pictured left) was released in Holland. Essentially the same album (as its UK counterpart), but with a much nicer cover. Unfortunately, no other countries released it. The track listing for this release is: Heinz Baked Beans, Heaven And Hell, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Fiddle About, Cousin Kevin, Doctor, Doctor, Medac, I've Been Away, Whiskey Man, In The City, Someone's Coming, Silas Stingy     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - Slip Kid - 1975 Spain 45

The Who Showcase: Week of June 8, 2008 While very popular amongst Who fans, The Who only played it live about a half a dozen times in 1976. The common single released from The Who By Numbers was Squeeze Box. However, in Spain, Slip Kid was released as the single (pictured left) with Squeeze Box as its b side. In the USA and Canada, Slip Kid was released as the 2nd single from The Who By Numbers, but unfortunately, it didn't chart very well. Over the years, many fans were hoping the band would include the song in their set list - perhaps one day...     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand - 1966 Holland 45

The Who Showcase: Week of June 1, 2008 Another odd release - Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand, backed with I Can't Reach You. Not only is this a unique song combination for a Who single, the picture cover features Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and <almost hidden on the left> John Entwistle superimposed over a picture of Keith Moon drumming. This 1967 Holland single is fairly hard to find in excellent condition. The thin paper combined with the black and white image often leads to very heavy ring marks, creasing, etc...      Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - "Disguises" - 1966 Photo

The Who Showcase: Week of May 25, 2008 One of my favorite 60's songs is Disguises - initially appearing as the 1st track on the The Who's 1966 Ready Steady Who EP (mono) and then subsequently released in stereo on various issues of the 1966 The Who LP, released in several European countries. I originally discovered the stereo version on the 1970 UK LP, Backtrack 3. I thought the mix was a big improvement over the mono mix and the song ran a bit longer. To your left is one of several pictures featuring Pete Townshend and his "fake moustache", promoting Disguises.        Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - I Can See For Miles - 1967 Yugoslavia 45 (EP)

The Who Showcase: Week of May 18, 2008 Pictured to your left is the first <known> Yugoslavia Who release, the 1967 I Can See For Miles EP. As an additional bonus for this release, the back cover features the Steadman Pictures of Lily artwork, making this a unique, double-sided "cartoon cover". The same <front cover> artwork was used for the Germany and Spain I Can See For Miles singles, as well as various Best Of LP releases from the 60's, and then reused again in the 80's... Nice artwork, but how likely would it be for Keith Moon to be wearing a tie in a picture like this?        Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - 1982 Italy LP

The Who Showcase: Week of May 11, 2008 What appears to be a simple (and one of many) "Best Of" Albums was once plentiful in the shops of New York City in the early 1980s. Like anything else that seems to be abundant and selling for only $5, I ignored it. Shortly thereafter, I saw the same record in another shop (which was known for odd stuff and crazy prices) selling for $75 - "Rare Who album - Booklet in Italian". It seemed crazy that everyone else in the City had it for $5, and this guy had it for 15 times the going price. (Now of course I needed a copy.)  It only stood to reason that which was once plentiful was now gone. Thanks to eBay, I was able to find a copy - and much closer to the original price too!      Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Best of Roger Daltrey - 1981 Holland LP

The Who Showcase: Week of May 4, 2008 Before the days of internet and eBay, collecting was very different - trips to New York City record stores, magazine ads, mailing lists, etc... I had originally seen The Best Of Roger Daltrey (Holland, 1981) in a book or magazine, but I never saw a copy in person. However, my parents were planning a trip to Holland in the early 80's, so I gave them a shopping list and they arrived home with what I wanted... This is a great cover - Roger in the 70's "light show" during Won't Get Fooled Again...       Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Who's Last - 1984 Uruguay Cassette(s)

The Who Showcase: Week of April 27, 2008 Probably one of the last items that you might think I would pick for a Who Showcase... Who's Last. While this album does have some hard-core loyalists, amongst many Who fans, this album is viewed as an embarrassment to the band and should never have been released. A lot of rumors about the album's contents (several shows from the 1982 vs. the 12/17/82 Toronto show [the former is true]) to why it misrepresents the band. To oversimplify this, the producer initially put together a very different album - which featured a much better representation of the set lists and sound mix of the 1982 tour. Unfortunately, this concept was rejected by the record company and what was left is something that sounds like, "Who's Worst", not "Who's Last". The 1982 tour was a great tour and deserved better. Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Live At Leeds - 1970 Korea LP

The Who Showcase: Week of April 20, 2008 To the left is a pressing of Live At Leeds from Korea. Most of the Korea Who LPs appear to be pirate pressings that seem to be photocopied from USA pressings on various colored paper (there are at least 4 different versions of Who Are You). Most likely these records were pressed and sold for the large population of USA Servicemen stationed in Korea. The earliest evidence of "official" <Polydor> LPs in Korea seems to have begun with Face Dances in 1981. This particular version of Live At Leeds apparently was constructed using both cover art and inserts. Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - 1981 Playing Card Set (Promo)

The Who Showcase: Week of April 13, 2008 In 1983 (shortly after I first started collecting), I used to make frequent visits to buy records in New York City. The small shops there would always have new collectables and every weekend I would come home with "new stuff". One of those shops had a memorabilia case. At the time I was only interested in records and <occasionally> promotional posters. However, I always had my eye on this All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes <promotional only> card set. I never bought it (probably too expensive) and one day the store closed down. Over 20 years later, I was able to find another one of these rare card sets. Who knew? Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: John Entwistle - Smash Your Head Against The Wall - 1971 UK LP

The Who Showcase: Week of April 6, 2008 As some of you know, John Entwistle's first album, Smash Your Head Against The Wall has been issued and reissued several times - both on LP and CD. What some of you don't know, is that there were significant mix variations between the first UK LP pressings and its USA counterpart. While some of these mix variations have been released on the various reissue CDs, to date, the original version of What Are We Doing Here? (available on UK 1st pressing LPs) has never been reissued. I once asked John why and he replied, "I hate that version!" The LP pictured to your left is a 1st pressing UK, which John autographed in NYC in January, 1996. Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - 1966 Holland Pin-up/Poster

The Who Showcase: Week of March 30, 2008 What more can be said after seeing a picture of The Who holding a bunch of balloons? This is one of those bizarre, pin-up style posters which came from a magazine from Holland in 1966. You might wonder what kind of circumstances would cause the band to pose like this - but if you put it in perspective - Who were The Who in 1966? With a few top-ten singles behind them, they were trying to make a name for themselves and get exposure. Guess what? It worked! Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Relay - 1973 Angola 45

The Who Showcase: Week of March 23, 2008 So, what's the real title? Is it Relay or The Relay? I guess that depends on what country the song was released in - either way, it's a great song and one of my favorites. Pictured to your left is a rare pressing from Angola. Without looking on Google, you can find Angola someplace in Africa. Why they released this single is anyone's guess. The song itself has never been given a "fair treatment" - mostly relegated to "rarity collections" vs. "best ofs" regardless of how much a fan favorite it is, or how often its been played live. At the 1995 Who Convention, Roger said, "Here's one from Odds & Sods..." And then they went on to play the best version I ever heard. (Note: Relay is not on Odds & Sods)      Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Endless Wire - 2006 Australia CD Single (Promo)

The Who Showcase: Week of March 16, 2008 From a collector's viewpoint, when a new album is released, it's not only the copies of the album from various countries around the world, but all the promotional singles that are collectables too. Pictured to your left is a radio station promo of Mirror Door from Australia. It was released prior to the Wire & Glass EP and is the only "picture disc" CD from all the releases relating to Endless Wire. I have only seen a small handful of these CDs - and they always seem to be scooped up at very high prices.       Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who Sell Out - 1974 Saudi Arabia Cassette

The Who Showcase: Week of March 9, 2008 Over the last few years I have been accumulating cassettes from Saudi Arabia. Most likely unofficial releases (based on the odd and sometimes competing label names - i.e. It's Hard was released on 2 different labels there), these cassettes sometimes feature unique artwork, or an interesting addition of "bonus tracks"... Pictured to your left is The Who Sell Out, Vol. 1. Unfortunately, I don't have Vol. 2. (at this time), but since this cassette features the full album tracks of The Who Sell Out, I would assume Vol. 2. is A Quick One, as packaged by most official record labels in 1974...        Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Rough Boys - 1984 Brazil LP (Promo)

The Who Showcase: Week of March 2, 2008 Pictured to your left is an odd, promo only (radio station) 1984 LP release from Brazil - Rough Boys. Not only is the cover unique, but the track listing is pretty interesting as well: Overture, My Wife (live), Sister Disco, Eminence Front, Drowned, The Seeker, Magic Bus, Baba O'Riley, Substitute, Another Tricky Day, It's A Boy, Run, Run, Run Not quite something you would expect for a "best of", but pretty cool...         Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: My Generation - The Very Best Of The Who - 1996 USA CD(s)

The Who Showcase: Week of February 24, 2008

Pictured above is what happens when "nobody is minding the store". To the left, is the 1st USA pressing of the 1996 My Generation - The Very Best Of The Who and to the right, the 2nd pressing. What happened to John Entwistle and Keith Moon's face? These "quality control" mistakes make for interesting collectables, but how or why do they happen in the first place?

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Quadrophenia - 1999 Japan Mini-LP CD

The Who Showcase: Week of February 17, 2008   For almost 10 years now, I have been an advocate for the Japanese remix version of Quadrophenia - as the best sounding version of the album available. Over the years, the Japanese have changed the packaging of this great sounding CD - which has led to the most common question asked of me (from this website): Which is the right Japanese Quadrophenia? Packaging aside, all of the remixed Quadrophenia CDs from Japan are sonically identical. The last pressing of the original mix was issued in 1996, and all subsequent CDs there sound the same (although packaged differently). So, don't feel confused - buy a copy and enjoy the improvements over whatever version you currently have...              Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Tommy - 1969 Brazil LP

The Who Showcase: Week of February 10, 2008   This week's showcase will focus on the mono versions of Tommy. As some of you might be aware, there are some neat mix variations between the mono variants of the early singles and LPs vs. their stereo counterparts. Tommy was the first Who album to be released as "stereo only". However, both Brazil (pictured left) and Argentina released Tommy as a mono only version. What's interesting about these odd mono releases, is that they aren't a unique mix, but rather the 2-channel stereo mix, collapsed into mono (the same parts play identically out of the 2 channels). Why they took the trouble to release the album this way is a great question... In Brazil, they also released a single LP version of Tommy (also mono).              Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Get Your Love - 1975 Japan 45

The Who Showcase: Week of February 3, 2008   Most Who fans over the years have had a hard time understanding Roger Daltrey's solo work - Of course they have been spoiled by having the greatest rock vocalist, singing some of the greatest rock music. Roger's solo career has been what I would refer to as experimental. His first album, Daltrey was a nice collection of ballads, followed up by Ride A Rock Horse, which Roger used is familiar Who vocals to Who fan's delight. Ride A Rock Horse is one of my favorite of Roger's solo album. Unfortunately, to appreciate the album properly it has to be listened to on LP...     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - 1982 USA Test Pressing LP

The Who Showcase: Week of January 27, 2008   Pictured to your left is a close up of the back cover titles on the 1982 USA test pressing of All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes. If you look carefully, you will notice the song, "Vivienne" is included. Apparently this song was intended for the album, but pulled at the last minute. While the title made the cover of the test pressing, it was not included on the actual record. (I have a UK test pressing in transit.) What has always interested me is - Why was the song almost included, then pulled out? The good news is, the song did finally get released as a bonus track of the 2006 All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes CD.     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere - 1965 Denmark 45

The Who Showcase: Week of January 20, 2008   While looking for this week's showcase, I somehow realized that all of the early Who Denmark 45s were only Brunswick label releases, except for Bucket "T" (Polydor) - which was the number 1 Who hit in Sweden. Each of these singles feature UK export records, but with unique, Denmark picture sleeves. The paper quality on the sleeves is actually pretty thin and one might think that most of the surviving records would be in pretty bad shape. However, the people of Denmark must have taken pride in their records because the ones I've seen over the years have been in pretty good shape (sometimes minor wrinkling occurs). Aside from the collectability of this record, Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere is one of my favorite Who songs - sort of the way I like to live my life...     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - It's Hard - 1982 Gold Record Award

The Who Showcase: Week of January 13, 2008   Until somewhat recently, I never really bothered with gold and platinum record awards. I thought they were somewhat expensive - and of course you couldn't play them. However, after so many years - I had the opportunity to buy a few for a decent price - and I really liked them! Pictured to your left is my very first - a 1982 USA gold record of It's Hard.   Since my initial purchase, I bought several more. However, if you really want to see a serious collection - check out my friend, Brad Roger's site at: www.whocollection.com     Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Who - Face Dances - 1981 Ireland Cassette

The Who Showcase: Week of January 6, 2008   Sometimes it boils down the "small details" which make something unique or a bit more interesting. In this case, it's the title of the album on the cassette label: "Face Dancers" You might expect something like this from a "pirate" release, but this is the actual Face Dances cassette, released in Ireland, 1981. I guess it took the record companies years to spell Roger Daltrey's name correctly, so what's a simple mistake here or there? Maybe they did it for us Who collectors! Previous Showcase