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The Who - Roger Daltrey Solo Albums - Page 2 (1977 - 1984):   

One Of The Boys - UK - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - UK - 1977 Polydor Cassette

One Of The Boys - UK - 2005 Castle CD

One Of The Boys - USA - 1977 MCA LP

One Of The Boys - USA - 1977 MCA 8-Track

One Of The Boys - USA - 2006 Hip-O CD

One Of The Boys - Australia - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Austria - 1977 Polydor LP

Austria vinyl, Germany sleeve

One Of The Boys - Brazil - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Canada - 1977 MCA LP (Test Pressing)

One Of The Boys - France - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Germany - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Germany - 1998 Repertoire CD

Remastered

One Of The Boys - Holland - 1977 Polydor LP

Original track lineup with "Written On The Wind" vs."Say It Ain't So Joe"

One Of The Boys - Holland - 1977 Polydor LP

2nd pressing with "Say It Ain't So Joe" vs. "Written On The Wind"

One Of The Boys - Hong Kong - 1977 Polydor LP (front cover)

One Of The Boys - Hong Kong - 1977 Polydor LP (back cover)

One Of The Boys - Ireland - 1977 Polydor LP

UK cover, Ireland album

One Of The Boys - Italy - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Japan - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Korea - 1977 T LP

One Of The Boys - New Zealand - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Norway - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Portugal - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Saudi Arabia - 1977 OK Cassette

One Of The Boys - Saudi Arabia - 1977 OK Cassette

One Of The Boys - Spain - 1977 Polydor LP

One Of The Boys - Taiwan - 1977 Dragon LP

With Obi

One Of The Boys - Uruguay - 1977 Polydor LP

McVicar For The Record - UK - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Music & Interview

McVicar - UK - 1980 Polydor LP

Clear vinyl

McVicar - UK - 1980 Polydor LP

Clear vinyl

McVicar - UK - 1980 Polydor LP

Black vinyl

McVicar - UK - 1980 Polydor LP

Black vinyl

McVicar - UK - 1980 Polydor Cassette

Side 1 = McVicar, Side 2 = Best Of Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey Two Albums On One Cassette - UK - 1980 Polydor Cassette

Side 1 = McVicar, Side 2 = Best Of Roger Daltrey

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor LP (Acetate)

2, 1 sided discs

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor LP (Acetate)

Disc 1

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor LP (Acetate)

Disc 2

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor LP (Test Pressing)

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor 8-Track

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor Cassette

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor Cassette

McVicar - USA - 1980 Polydor Cassette

RCA Record Club version

McVicar For The Record - USA - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Music & Interview

McVicar - USA - 1995 Polydor CD

McVicar - Argentina - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Australia - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Austria - 1980 Polydor LP

Sleeve printed in Germany

McVicar - Canada - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Canada - 1980 Polydor Cassette

McVicar - Colombia - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - France - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Germany - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Germany - 1995 Polydor CD

McVicar - Greece - 1980 Polydor LP (Test Pressing)

Sleeve printed in Germany

McVicar - Greece - 1980 Polydor LP (Test Pressing)

McVicar - Holland - 1980 Polydor LP

Sleeve printed in Germany

McVicar - Hong Kong - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Indonesia - 1980 Scorpio Cassette

(With tracks from "Who Are You")

McVicar - Israel - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Italy - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Japan - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Front cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Back cover

McVicar - Mexico - 2000 Polydor LP (Promo)

Front cover

McVicar - Mexico - 2000 Polydor LP (Promo)

Back cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Front cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Back cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Front cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP (Promo)

Back cover

McVicar - Mexico - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - New Zealand - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Saudi Arabia - 1980 GMI Cassette

McVicar - Saudi Arabia - 1980 Footprint Cassette

McVicar - Saudi Arabia - 1980 GMR Cassette

McVicar - Spain - 1980 Polydor LP

McVicar - Zimbabwe - 1980 Polydor LP

The Best Of Roger Daltrey - Holland - 1981 Polydor LP

The Best Of Roger Daltrey - Holland - 1981 Polydor Cassette

The Best Of Roger Daltrey - Philippines - 1981 Polydor LP

Best Bits - USA - 1981 Masterdisk LP (Promo)

Disc One (single sided LP acetate)

Best Bits - USA - 1981 Masterdisk LP (Promo)

Disc Two (single sided LP acetate)

Best Bits - USA - 1982 MCA LP

Best Bits - USA - 1982 MCA Cassette

Best Bits - Australia - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - Canada - 1982 MCA LP

Best Bits - France - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - France - 1982 Polydor LP (Autographed)

Best Bits - Italy - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - Malaysia - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - New Zealand - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - Saudi Arabia - 1982 747 Cassette

Best Bits - Saudi Arabia - 1982 IMD Cassette

Best Bits - Saudi Arabia - 1982 SR Cassette

Best Bits - Saudi Arabia - 1982 UF Cassette

Best Bits - Saudi Arabia - 1982 QS Cassette

Best Bits - Spain - 1982 Polydor LP

Best Bits - Spain - 1982 Polydor Cassette

The Best Of Roger Daltrey - Indonesia - 1982 Aquarius Cassette

The Best Of Roger Daltrey - Indonesia - 1982 Hins Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - USA - 1984 Atlantic LP

Parting Should Be Painless - USA -1984 Atlantic LP (Promo)

Parting Should Be Painless - USA -1984 Specialty Records LP (Test Pressing)

Parting Should Be Painless - USA - 1984 Atlantic Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - USA - 2004 Wounded Bird CD

Parting Should Be Painless - USA - 2021 Wounded Bird CD

Reissue of 2004 CD. Back cover uses slight different print style. Seems to be digital noise in the first 2 tracks. Could be individual CD, or a bad tape transfer

Separarse Deberia Ser Sin Dolor - Argentina - 1984 WEA LP

"Parting Should Be Painless"

Separarse Deberia Ser Sin Dolor - Argentina - 1984 WEA Cassette

"Parting Should Be Painless"

Parting Should Be Painless - Australia - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Canada - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Canada - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Canada - 2002 Virgin Mist CD

May be a pirate copy or promo

Parting Should Be Painless - Germany - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Germany - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Greece - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Greece - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Indonesia - 1984 King's Record Cassette

With tracks from "One Of The Boys"

Parting Should Be Painless - Indonesia - 1984 Rockline Cassette

With tracks from "One Of The Boys"

Parting Should Be Painless - Italy - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Japan - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Korea - 1984 90 LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Mexico - 1984 WEA LP (Promo) (Front Cover)

Parting Should Be Painless - Mexico - 1984 WEA LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

Parting Should Be Painless - Mexico - 1984 WEA LP (Promo) (Front Cover)

Parting Should Be Painless - Mexico - 1984 WEA LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

Parting Should Be Painless - Mexico - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Philippines - 1984 Atlantic LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Philippines - 1984 Atlantic Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Portugal - 1984 WEA LP (Promo)

Parting Should Be Painless - Portugal - 1984 WEA LP (Promo)

Parting Should Be Painless - Portugal - 1984 WEA LP (Promo)

Parting Should Be Painless - Portugal - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Saudi Arabia - 1984 747 Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Saudi Arabia - 1984 AS Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Saudi Arabia - 1984 IMD Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - South Africa - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Spain - 1984 WEA LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Spain - 1984 WEA Cassette

Parting Should Be Painless - Taiwan - 1984 Nova LP

Parting Should Be Painless - Zimbabwe - 1984 WEA LP

Slow - Indonesia - 1984 Atlantic Cassette

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ONE OF THE BOYS

Album: One of the Boys

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK, Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay), MCA (USA, Canada), T (Korea), Dragon (Taiwan)

CDs Sampled: Repertoire (Germany - 1st remaster), Castle (UK - 2nd remaster), Hip-O (USA - 2nd remaster)

Non-album Tracks: "Dear John" (b side of European "Written On The Wind"), "You Put Something Better Inside Of Me" (b side of UK "One Of The Boys" 7")

LP Comments: I recommend the Polydor (Germany) based on better sound and vinyl quality. Some interesting observations... The France LP is brighter than the rest. The Ireland LP has outstanding music qualities, but it is a) rare (hard to find) and b) the copy I played would have been more welcome with better vinyl quality.

CD Comments: The mastering on the CD versions is very bright and harsh..  (Note: the 2nd remaster versions have increased volume levels.)

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of Parade from various pressings of "One Of The Boys" as described above.

1977 UK LP   1977 USA LP   1977 Australia LP   1977 Austria LP   1977 Canada LP   1977 France LP   1977 Germany LP   1977 Holland LP   1977 Hong Kong LP   1977 Ireland LP   1975 Italy LP   1977 Japan LP   1977 Korea LP   1977 New Zealand LP   1977 Norway LP   1977 Portugal LP   1977 Spain LP   1977 Taiwan LP   1977 Uruguay LP   1997 Germany CD   2005 UK CD   2006 USA CD    

Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.

Summary: Look for the Polydor (Germany) LP and find the related non-album tracks from other sources (listed above).

Other Comments: On the 1997 Repertoire CD, as on "Ride A Rock Horse", the bonus tracks on this CD are all confused. The bonus tracks that belonged to this album ended up on "Ride A Rock Horse" and the CD has bonus tracks belonging to another album. "Say It Ain't So, Joe" (is on the USA LP (but not on the European LPs), European 7" and the CD version of this album). An attempt to correct this was made on the Castle/Big-O CDs (see track list below), but continuing to use the outtake version of "Written On The Wind" that was on the 1997 Repertoire "Ride A Rock Horse" CD.

The CD versions also includes "Treachery" and "Martyr's And Madmen" (which are tracks from Roger's 1982, "Best Bits" LP). The CDs also feature the original European song line up (i.e. with "Written On The Wind" - outtake version) and adds, "Say It Ain't So, Joe" as a bonus track at the end.  

About: One Of The Boys

I've been a bit reluctant to review this album for a few reasons...

I try hard not to put my personal bias into these reviews, although in some ways you can laugh at that since "as a fan", my "bias" is already in favor of the music. However, even with that being said, I do try to be as "objective" as possible, not just the "giddy" fan (no relation to the Paul McCartney penned song on this album). I do make a serious attempt to note the good with the bad.

I never really liked this album

This album is Roger Daltrey's 3rd solo album (Lisztomania aside). (At the time I wrote this) I probably haven't listened to this album straight through in close to 30 years.

I bought this album in Ft Lauderdale, FL in 1982, along with "Daltrey" and "Ride A Rock Horse". I immediately liked those, but just never cared for this one.

Today I felt a little better about the album. The album is comprised of ballads (including some with a Country & Western flavor) and some "rockers". Like some of the content of Roger's other solo albums, the song writing can be weak. When you couple Roger's "best of the best" vocals with some weak songs, it just doesn't work. It's like putting a 500 HP engine in a
Yugo (remember those?). Great and powerful engine, but the chassis has no way to "get you there".

The album must have done well, there were quite a few singles released from the album:

* One Of The Boys
* Avenging Annie
* Say It Ain't So Joe
* Written On The Wind
* Leon

Apparently when "Written On The Wind" didn't do well in the charts, it was removed from the track listing for the USA/Canada pressings. The irony there is, it's my favorite track on the album.

The CD is flawed on several fronts. Excessive compression makes this disc TOO LOUD. Whispers and quite sections are almost as loud as screams. If you play it at very low volume levels, you may be OK, but the moment you turn the volume up a bit, it becomes too harsh.

The bonus tracks are misaligned. This CD has 3 bonus tracks:

* You Put Something Better Inside Me (the b side to "One Of The Boys")

* Martyrs & Madmen (from a project recorded between 1980 & 1982, released on "Best Bits")

* Treachery (from a project recorded between 1980 & 1982, released on "Best Bits")

"Dear John" (which was the b side to "Written On The Wind") ended up as a bonus track on "Ride A Rock Horse". Incidentally, the song seems to fit better with that album and perhaps it was an original outtake for it, but it was never originally released that way.

Is it better to release as many bonus tracks as possible vs. getting them "technically correct" with the right albums? Sure, I would make that trade off.

I'd like to see the entire Roger Daltrey solo album catalog remastered and compiled with the right bonus tracks for each album. Why not? 
 

Track Listing:

UK/European/Japanese LPs: Parade, Single Man's Dilemma, Avenging Annie, Prisoner, Leon, One Of The Boys, Giddy, Written On The Wind, Satin & Lace, Doing It All Again

USA LP: Parade, Single Man's Dilemma, Avenging Annie, Prisoner, Leon, One Of The Boys, Giddy, Say It Ain't So Joe, Satin & Lace, Doing It All Again

CD (Repertoire): Parade, Single Man's Dilemma, Avenging Annie, Prisoner, Leon, One Of The Boys, Giddy, Written On The Wind, Satin & Lace, Doing It All Again, Martyrs & Madmen, Treachery, Say It Ain't So Joe

CD (Castle, Hip-O): Parade, Single Man's Dilemma, Avenging Annie, Prisoner, Leon, One Of The Boys, Giddy, Written On The Wind, Satin & Lace, Doing It All Again, Say It Ain't So Joe, You Put Something Better Inside Me, Martyrs & Madmen, Treachery

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MCVICAR

Album: McVicar

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK-clear vinyl), Polydor (USA)

CDs Sampled: Polydor (Germany), Polydor (USA)

Non-album Tracks: None

LP Comments: The <clear vinyl> (UK) pressing of this LP is spectacular. The (USA) pressing is very good, but the vinyl quality is better on the (UK) version.

CD Comments: The Polydor (Germany) and Polydor (USA) CDs have identical sound (see additional comments below).

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of "Bitter & Twisted" from various pressings of "McVicar" as described above.

1980 UK Master Tape   1980 UK LP (Clear Vinyl Version)   1995 USA CD   1995 Germany CD

Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.
 

Summary: The CD version sounds clean, but is missing all the punch (dynamic range and bottom end) that makes great songs like "Bitter and Twisted" and "Free Me" really stand out. As a result, the CD doesn't represent what the album should be. Look for the Polydor (UK) LP version.

Other Comments: I've been told that there are clear vinyl Polydor (Germany) LP copies and black vinyl Polydor (UK) copies. However, I haven't seen any myself.

This album would make a great candidate for remixing and remastering.

About: McVicar
 
As a young Who fan, I vividly recall when they started playing “Bitter & Twisted” and “Free Me” on the radio…
 
Everyone thought there was a new Who album out!
 
For a long time, many Who fans considered “McVicar” a Who album, but then we came to realize that even though it said “The Who films” and that the Who members played on the album, it really wasn’t a Who album – but rather a really good Roger Daltrey solo album with a lot of “Who involvement”.
 
Of course the irony going forward was, “Which Who members played on which songs?”
 
I think it was fairly unanimous that “Waiting For A Friend” seemed to be the most “Who like” – although I can hear John Entwistle playing on several tracks (whereas the guitars on many of the tracks don’t really sound like Pete’s)…
 
The album rounds out nicely with hit songs from Roger’s best solo album contributors:
 
* Free Me (Russ Ballard
)
 
* Bitter & Twisted (Steve Swindells
)
 
* Without Your Love (
Billy Nicholls)
 
Roger sings his heart out on this album – delivering some of the best studio vocal performances of his career – just amazing…
 
All the songs on this album are great, but my favorite song is clearly “Bitter & Twisted”. I played the <
Picard> out of this song on my car stereo when I was 19. Such a great song…

There are two other Steve Swindells' written songs that I believe were intended for the album, but left off (for whatever reason) and eventually made their way to Roger’s “Best Bits” collection – “Martyrs & Madmen” and “Treachery”. When they played the single (Martyrs & Madmen) on the radio, it was like “McVicar” all over again – “A new Who album!”

Roger opened with "Martyrs & Madmen" on his mini-tour in 1985…

Track Listing: Bitter & Twisted, Just A Dream Away, Escape Pt. 1, White City Lights, Free Me, My Time Is Gonna Come, Waiting For A Friend, Escape Pt. 2, Without Your Love, McVicar

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BEST BITS

Album: Best Bits

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Masterdisc (USA Acetate), MCA (USA, Canada), Polydor (Australia, France, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand)

CDs Sampled: n/a (Not issued on CD)

Non-album Tracks: n/a

LP Comments: The MCA (USA) seems to have the best overall sound and has excellent vinyl quality.

CD Comments: n/a

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of "Martyrs & Madmen" from various pressings of "Best Bits" as described above.

1981 USA LP Acetate   1982 USA LP   1982 Australia LP   1982 Canada LP   1982 France LP   1982 Italy LP   1982 Malaysia LP   1982 New Zealand LP   1982 Spain LP

Bonus Tracks (Martyrs & Madman (Live) & Steve Swindell's Original Version):

1985 USA LP (Live Promo)

2011 UK CD (Steve Swindells' Original Version)

Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.
 

Summary: MCA (USA) LP is the best choice for overall sound and vinyl quality.

Other Comments: This is a really great and forgotten album. Back in 1982, when "Martyrs & Madmen" first played on the radio, Who fans thought they were listening to a new Who song. This album is somewhat unique as it has really great sound quality (with the right pressing) as well as some tracks that were specifically included  for it (i.e. Martyrs & Madmen & Treachery). The album also features greatly improved remixed tracks from Roger's first three solo albums. These tracks have been subsequently reissued elsewhere, but not with this sound quality. The USA (MCA) LP sounds best and is both inexpensive and easy to find... Also note, that for Roger's 1985 mini-tour, he opened each night with.... "Martyrs & Madmen". (The "best of" CD with this title does not include this great song. Go figure that one...)

Track Listing: Martyrs & Madmen, Say It Ain't So Joe, Oceans Away, Treachery, Free Me, Without Your Love, Hard Life, Giving It All Away, Avenging Annie, Proud, You Put Something Better Inside Me

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PARTING SHOULD BE PAINLESS

Album: Parting Should Be Painless

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Specialty (USA-test pressing), Atlantic (USA, Philippines), WEA (Argentina, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Zimbabwe), 90 (Korea), Nova (Taiwan)

CDs Sampled: Wounded Bird (USA), Virgin Mist (Canada)

Non-album Tracks: Gimme Some Lovin'  (included on the WEA (UK) 12" of "Walking In My Sleep"), I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye (included on the WEA (UK) 12" of "Parting Would Be Painless")

LP Comments: The Atlantic (USA) seems to have the best overall sound and excellent vinyl quality.

CD Comments: The Virgin Mist (Canada) CD seemed to suffer from compression and remnants of noise reductions that was slightly noticeable at the start and end of the tracks. The Wounded Bird (USA) CD sounded as good as any of the better vinyl pressings.

Note: Unfortunately, neither of the 2 non-album tracks (above) were included on the CD reissue.

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of Walking In My Sleep from various pressings of "Parting Should Be Painless" as described above.

1984 USA LP Test Pressing   1984 USA LP   1984 Argentina LP   1984 Germany LP   1984 Greece LP   1984 Japan LP   1984 Korea LP   1984 Mexico LP   1984 Philippines LP   1984 Portugal LP   1984 South Africa LP   1984 Spain LP   1984 Taiwan LP   1984 Zimbabwe LP   2002 Canada CD   2004 USA CD

Bonus Tracks:

"Walking In My Sleep" (Original Writer Version vs. Roger Daltrey Alternate Version):

1983 Canada LP (Jack Green)   vs.   1984 UK Alternate Version

"Somebody Told Me" (Original Writer Version vs. Roger Daltrey Album Version):

1983 UK CD (Eurhythmics)
   vs.   2004 USA CD 

"Don't Wait On The Stairs" (Original Writer Version vs. Roger Daltrey Album Version):

2011 UK CD (Steve Swindells' Original Version)   vs.  2004 USA CD

Non-Album Tracks (From UK 12" Single "b" Sides):

"Gimme Some Lovin' ":

2004 UK 12"

"I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye":

2004 UK 12"

Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.
 

Summary: The Wounded Bird (USA) is the best choice for CD and the Atlantic (USA) the best for LP.

Other Comments: This album features a lot of good songs: "Walking In My Sleep", "Parting Would Be Painless", "Somebody Told Me", "Is There Anyone Out There", "Don't Wait On The Stairs", etc. It is also very well recorded and features some excellent vocal performances from Roger Daltrey.

Of particular note are the non-album tracks. "Gimme Some Lovin' " is an updated version of the old classic, that Roger gives the "Who treatment" to. "I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye" is a song written by Billy Nicholls, which seems to be about the breakup of The Who.

About: Parting Should Be Painless

I recall sometime in 1984, record shopping in New York City and finding the newly released Roger LP (as an import) at a small shop called, Second Coming Records.

This was the first release of newly recorded music from any of The Who's members since the band broke up.

As with any new album, you really don't know what to expect until you play it. Roger's solo albums have been fairly "diverse" in terms of content and style, often very different than what you might expect from a guy who has rejected some of Pete Townshend's finest demos as "not right" for The Who...

I think the album kind of reflects some of Roger's feelings about the breakup of The Who - The album title, along with the title track (which is oddly named, "Parting Would Be Painless" - how did the "Should" become a "Would" ???) This becomes even more apparent with the
Billy Nicholls' penned track, "I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye", which was used as a "b" side on Roger's second 12" release from this album (and a really good song too!)

The production value on this album is outstanding. Full-range drums and various other instruments dancing all over the speakers - an audiophile's dream.

I'm not sure the overall feel of the album is entirely consistent - some of the songs sound a bit "cabaret", and others are clearly "rock". But, they all seem to blend fairly well, making for a pretty good album.

My favorite tracks from the album and its two, 12" singles (which both feature "b" sides not on the album), are:

"Walking In My Sleep" (which produced a great video and some nice posters for the album), "Parting Would Be Painless", "Somebody Told Me" (which is actually a great
Eurythmics' song, faithfully covered by Roger), "Is There Anybody Out There?" and from the "b" sides, "Gimme Some Lovin' " (in my opinion - one of Roger's best recordings - a pure genius cover version) and "I Won't Be The One To Say Goodbye".

One of the things I notice is who is writing for Roger. I always liked Roger's, Russ Ballard written songs - Russ as some of you might know was a key player in
Argent as well as a successful solo artist. On this album, Roger covered another Steve Swindells' song, "Don't Wait On The Stairs" (some of you may recall that Steve wrote "Bitter & Twisted" - which Roger used on "McVicar" as well as "Treachery" - which Roger used on "Best Bits")...

This album was never released on a major label CD. CD versions popped up briefly in Canada (the "Virgin Mist" label - which I suspect might be a pirate) and
Wounded Bird in the USA. The latter is a legitimate label, but the CD vanished from the market almost as quickly as it was issued.

I'd love to see this album reissued on CD - both remastered and with the "b" sides from the two, 12" singles...

I somehow ended up buying an outtakes
Reel-to-Reel tape from these sessions. After many years I brought the tape to a studio to have it transferred. The most significant find on the tape was a longer version of "Don't Wait On The Stairs".

Track Listing: Walking In My Sleep, Parting Would Be Painless, Is There Anyone Out There?, Would A Stranger Do?, Going Strong, Looking For You, Somebody Told Me, One Day, How Does The Cold Wind Cry, Don't Wait On The Stairs

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