home  |  email  |   

WhiteFang's Who Site - The World's Largest Collection Of The Who Records & CDs
       

 

The Who | Previous Showcase Items (2008):

Previous Showcase: Psychoderelict - 1993 France CD

Pete Townshend - Psychoderelict - 1993 France CD The Who Showcase: Week of October 26, 2008

Psychoderelict was probably Pete Townshend's most ambitious solo album - as well as his best. Unfortunately, the public (and perhaps radio stations) at the time wasn't ready for a music album mixed with spoken dialogue. Admittedly I raised an eyebrow myself, but after a few listens I was fascinated by the concept and even after the Music Only version was released, I always preferred the dialogue version.

Supposedly this brilliant album only sold ~60,000 copies and Pete hasn't released a "proper" solo album since. Another interesting facet - depending on which country the CD was released in, the text is in different languages (the one pictured to your left is in French)...

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: The Kids Are Alright - 1966 Belgium 45

The Who - The Kids Are Alright - 1966 Belgium 45 The Who Showcase: Week of October 19, 2008

I've always admired this record - The Kids Are Alright, released in Belgium in 1966. The picture of the band almost appears three dimensional against its purple background.

Four of the early Belgium Who singles (Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere, My Generation, A Legal Matter and The Kids Are Alright) used the same band photo, but with different surrounding artwork. All of the Brunswick or Decca pressings were made outside of Belgium, but exported for sale there.  

I have only seen a copy of Dogs from Belgium once. If anyone reading this has a copy that they would like to sell (or trade), please e-mail me...

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Golden Double Album - 1971 Japan LP

The Who - Golden Double Album - 1971 Japan LP The Who Showcase: Week of October 12, 2008

In September of 1995, I was at the Paris Record Fair - which was one of the best record shows I ever attended. Amongst the wall-to-wall crowd of people and heavy smoke, I almost walked right past this unique LP - the Golden Double Album - released in Japan, 1971.

Even though this album was on my want list, I had never seen the cover before and was pretty excited when I had it in my hands.

At the time, I was hoping that I might discover a source for stereo versions of The Last Time and Under My Thumb, but unfortunately and at best, they were in simulated stereo and overall the sound quality of the record, didn't match its great cover...
Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Pinball Wizard - 1969 Portugal 45 (EP)

The Who - Pinball Wizard - 1969 Portugal 45 (EP) The Who Showcase: Week of October 5, 2008

Like France and Spain, Portugal issued its early Who singles as EPs (vs. standard 2 track singles).

While there's nothing unique about the artwork for this EP (also used on the 1969 France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Yugoslavia Pinball Wizard singles), what makes this version fairly interesting is the mix of extra tracks.

Typically a single or EP has tracks issued in the same time frame, or from a common album. In this example, it is combined with The Last Time
(1967) and Substitute (1966). Were they looking at the track listing on the 1968 UK album, Direct Hits or come up with this odd combination on their own?

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Two's Missing - 1987 Canada LP

The Who - Two's Missing - 1987 Canada LP The Who Showcase: Week of September 28, 2008

Two's Missing was released in 1987 as a follow up to the 1985, Who's Missing. Compiled by the legendary Steve Hoffman, the album contained original Shel Talmy recorded tracks (I'm A Man, Daddy Rolling Stone, Heatwave & Motoring), but in a brilliant wide-stereo mix. (Who's Missing featured Leaving Here and Lubie also mixed similarly).
 
Apparently, the stereo tapes used for the <above> tracks were mixed back in 1966 for an intended stereo version of My Generation. So, what happened to the rest of the <original> stereo tracks?

It has been written that this was a "USA only" release. This is not true. The album was also released in Canada (pictured left) and the UK.

Also worth noting... the coveted CD version was produced after Steve Hoffman left MCA Records and doesn't have the same rich sound quality that the original LP has (or John Entwistle's liner notes).



Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: No. 3 - 1980 France LP (Promo)

The Who - No 3 - 1980 France LP (Promo) The Who Showcase: Week of September 21, 2008

When I saw this obscure album (No 3, 1980 France LP) on eBay, I thought "Wow - What a great cover!" So, I won the auction and the record seemed to take forever to cross the great Atlantic divide...

When it finally arrived, I quickly opened the package as I was very curious about the content (the seller had no idea as it was part of their family's collection). Much to my surprise, there was no Who content! None. How odd I thought. A cover promoting 10 years of The Who in France, but the record itself had no Who content.

Well... at least they produced a great cover!
 


Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Hepzibah - 1978 UK Book

Pete Townshend - Hepzibah - 1978 UK Book The Who Showcase: Week of September 14, 2008

In 1978, Pete Townshend's Eel Pie Publishing Co., published Hepzibah - a book by Peter Dickinson. Included with the book, was a flexi-disc, which featured lyrics by Pete and music written by his friend, Billy Nicholls.

Copies of the book aren't terribly difficult to find (Amazon, eBay, etc.), but they are hard to find with the flexi-disc still intact, so if you are a completist, make sure you ask before you buy!

Hepzibah MP3 Sample


 

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting - 1991 USA CD Single (Promo)

The Who - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting - 1991 USA CD Single (Promo) The Who Showcase: Week of September 7, 2008

In 1991 The Who were asked to record a song for the various artists tribute album (Two Rooms) to honor their old friend, Elton John.

Just four years earlier, Roger Daltrey released a great cover of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, which he recorded for The Lost Boys movie soundtrack, but now it was The Who's turn...

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting was the last Who studio song which John Entwistle performed on. Besides Two Rooms, the song can be found on the
30 Years Maximum R&B Box Set and USA promo copies of the CD Single (pictured to your left).
MP3 Sample

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - 1968 Original and Alternate Mix Versions

The Who - Call Me Lightning/Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - 1968 South Africa 45 The Who Showcase: Week of August 31, 2008

One of my favorite Who rarities, is the original version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, which first appeared on the UK, 1968 Magic Bus 45.

This version contained drums and various sound effects which were mixed and edited out of the more common version, which simply mixed the bass louder.

It's ironic that the original version has become the rarity and has only been released on CD on Who Rarities Volume 1 & Volume 2 .

Original Version MP3 Sample
Common Version MP3 Sample

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Eyesight To The Blind - 1972 Alternate Vocal Version

The Who (with the London Symphony Orchestra) - Eyesight To The Blind - 1972 USA 45 The Who Showcase: Week of August 24, 2008

Another one of the mysteries of The Who catalog...
In 1972, a different vocal version of Eyesight To The Blind was introduced on the UK LP, Tommy Part 1 and then in 1973 on all UK LP pressings of Tommy, right through the mid-1980's.

This alternate vocal version was accidentally used on the 1990 USA Mobile Fidelity Tommy CD and remains as the only official CD released version.

The vocal seems to have been recorded in the early 70s but it remains unknown as to why the original vocal was replaced. MP3 Sample

(Please note the picture sleeve to your left is from the London Symphony Orchestra version of Tommy and not to be confused with the above...)

Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Glastonbury Fayre - 1970 UK LP

Revelation/Glastonbury Fayre - UK - 1970 Rev LP (w/Pete Townshend) The Who Showcase: Week of August 17, 2008

The original <various artists> 1970 Glastonbury Fayre 3 LP set was only released in the UK and apparently in very small numbers. The attraction to collectors of The Who, is the very rare mix of Pete Townshend's Classified, which was only released on this record. (A similar, rougher mix of the song was released on the 1980 Let My Love Open The Door EP in the UK, France, Holland & Italy).

The album was bootlegged <on CD> several times, but not faithful to warm, rich sound of the original. Unfortunately, this rare album has never been officially
re-released.

Classified
<original> MP3 Sample


Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Peppermint Lump - 1979 USA Press Photo

Pete Townshend & Angie - 1979 USA Press Photo The Who Showcase: Week of August 10, 2008

In 1979 Pete Townshend produced, played guitar and sang on the Angie single, Peppermint Lump. Who was the <then> 13 year old Angie Porter and how did Pete become involved in her record?

Good question... Angie sang backing vocals on the Buggles' 1979 hit, Video Killed The Radio Star before attempting her own success as a solo artist.

Despite the single's widespread distribution and strong Pete Townshend influence, it apparently didn't chart very well and the very talented Angie faded into obscurity.  I haven't seen any evidence of the song being released on CD, but there are many copies on vinyl still available.
MP3 Sample

  
Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Pictures of Lily - 1967 USA Ad

The Who - Pictures Of Lily - 1967 USA Ad The Who Showcase: Week of August 3, 2008

"Pictured" to your left is a neat ad from the USA in 1967 - Pictures Of Lily. As The Who were just making their way in America, here they are being touted as "Today's Most Exciting Teenage Group" and using an owl as an image connecting "Who" sounds to the familiar "hoot" of an owl. This shortly lived imagery was also used for the USA Happy Jack ad. 
       
The Who - Happy Jack - 1966 USA Ad
  Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Roger Daltrey - Parting Would Be Painless - 1984 UK 12" (EP)

Roger Daltrey - Parting Would Be Painless - 1984 UK 12" EP The Who Showcase: Week of July 27, 2008

The 2nd single from Roger Daltrey's, 1984 Parting Should Be Painless album is Parting Would Be Painless.

In the UK, the single was also released as a 12" EP, with a neat, non-album track called, I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye. The song was written for Roger, by Billy Nichols. It's an emotional song which Roger is actually singing to Pete Townshend about the 1983 breakup of The Who.

The song has yet to be re-issued on CD and the EP is pretty obscure...  MP3 Sample


Previous Showcase

Previous Showcase: Pete Townshend - The Iron Age - 1989 Radio Show

Pete Townshend - Iron Man - 1989 USA Promo LP The Who Showcase: Week of July 20, 2008

Once upon a time I used to really love promotional radio shows. These were the ones you heard on the radio, but they were actually limited edition records and CDs sent to radio stations (and sometimes made their way into the hands of collectors). Some of these radio shows would be music and interview (M&I), others would be live shows. Every now and then, something really special came out.

In September of 1989, there was a broadcast called, Timothy White's Rock Stars "Pete Townshend: The Iron Age".  For the most part, this show was your typical M&I, but it also featured a really neat, unreleased Iron Man song, called Penny Drop (MP3 Sample). Unfortunately, the song never resurfaced elsewhere...

(Pictured to your left is actually the back cover for the record company's promotional M&I album for Iron Man...)

Previous Showcase

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

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

Roger Daltrey (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 - 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

Pete Townshend - Forever's No Time At All/This Song Is Green - 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 - 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 - 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 - Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand - 1967 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 - "Disguises" - 1966 UK 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 - 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 - 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

Roger Daltrey - 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)

Who's Last - 1984 Uruguay Cassette (Volume 1)Who's Last - 1984 Uruguay Cassette (Volume 2) 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 - Live At Leeds - 1971 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)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - 1981 Playing Cards 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

John Entwistle - Smash Your Head Against The Wall - 1971 UK LP (Autographed) 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 - 1966 Holland 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 - Relay - 1972 Anglola 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 - Mirror Door - 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 Sell Out (Vol 1) - 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 - 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)

My Generation - The Very Best Of The Who - 1996 USA CD (First Pressing) My Generation - The Very Best Of The Who - 1996 USA CD (2nd Pressing)

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 - 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 - Tommy - 1969 Brazil LP (Mono) 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

Roger Daltrey - 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

Pete Townshend - All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - 1982 USA Test Pressing (back cover title closeup) 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 - 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 - It's Hard - 1982 USA RIAA GOLD LP 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


The Who - It's Hard - 1982 USA RIAA GOLD LP (Plaque Closeup)
   
Previous Showcase

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

The Who - Face Dances - 1981 Ireland Cassette (front cover)The Who - Face Dances - 1981 Ireland Cassette (back cover) 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

Back  Next

___________________________________

Copyright 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008  |  RWhiteFang  |  All rights reserved.  No part of this website may be copied or used for any other purpose without the express permission of the site owner.  |  This page was last updated on Friday May 22, 2020 12:32 PM