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The Who - Who's Next - Page 2:

Album: Who's Next  

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK), Decca (USA), MCA-reissue (USA), MCA Masterphile Series-1/2 speed master (Canada), MCA (Canada), Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Greece), Polydor (Japan), First (Taiwan)

CDs (original mix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), MCA-1st pressing (USA), MCA-2nd pressing (USA), MCA-3rd pressing (USA), MCA (Canada), MCA-Gold Disc (USA), Polydor (Japan)

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

CDs (Deluxe Edition) Sampled: Polydor (UK) Promo, MCA (USA)

LP Comments: Sonically, I'd give the edge to the Decca (USA) version. However, the vinyl is overall better quality on the Polydor (UK) & (Germany) versions. The Polydor (Japan) version is a bit duller. The MCA-Masterphile Series (Canada) is hard to track down, and there's really nothing special about it other than the sticker on the front cover. In 1995 MCA issued a "virgin vinyl" on "heavy vinyl" and it has been reported that there are defects on some of the copies (i.e. one channel is dead on certain song(s).) My copy is still sealed and not available for comparison at this time.

CD (original mix) comments: The 3rd pressing by MCA sounds real good. However, the Canadian version sounds even better! If you like the original mix of this album, this is the one to get. The Polydor (Germany) copy was never upgraded from its original issue. Too much unnecessary hiss—obviously made from tapes too far removed from the masters. I find the MCA-Gold disc a bit too bright.

CD (remix) comments: Both Polydor (Germany) and MCA (USA) copies sound identical. The Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MFSL) sounds slightly duller than the Polydor (German) or MCA (USA). Whereas the former sounds "crisp" in certain areas, the MFSL version sounds slightly dull -  enough to be a bit annoying. The Polydor (Japan) copy has too much extra bass in the mastering that detracts from the sound quality, but ... may sound fine on certain stereo systems.

CD (Deluxe Edition) comments: The first disc (original album & the NY Sessions) is outstanding. Excellent sound quality - nice, smooth mastering. The remix of "Getting In Tune" from the NY Sessions is absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, the studio versions "Too Much Of Anything" and "I Don't Even Know Myself" which were previously included on the remixed CD were dropped. However, the versions of the NY Sessions that were previously edited on the remixed CD have been restored in length. Disc 2, is an edited performance of the 1971 Young Vic concert. Some of these performances were included on the previously issued remixed CD, but they have been remixed again (similar to "Live At Leeds -see track listing below) are incredible. Unfortunately, the mastering utilizes excessive noise reduction and compression - this causes the sound and feel to be somewhat sterile.

Disc 1 of The Polydor (UK) promo has a bit more ambience and sounds more "musical" than Disc 1 of the MCA (USA). Disc 2 of the MCA (USA) sounds a little better than Polydor (UK) promo. There seems to be a little extra bass on the MCA, which improves the overall feel.

CD (Super Deluxe Edition) comments: (See Review Below)

Compare for yourself! Below are 30 second WAV samples of "Going Mobile" from the various pressings of "Who's Next" as described above. 1971 UK Multitrack Tape   1971 UK Master Tape   1983 France CD   1983 Germany CD   1984 USA/Japan CD   1986 Japan CD   1988 USA CD   1988 USA CD (Columbia Record Club)   1988 Canada CD   1995 USA CD (Remix)   1995 Germany/UK CD (Remix)   1996 USA CD (Gold - Original Mix)   1999 USA CD (MFSL - Remix)   1999 Japan CD (Remix)   2003 USA CD (Deluxe Edition)   2003 UK CD (Deluxe Edition)   2005 USA DAT Master Tape   2008 Japan CD (Deluxe Edition)    2011 Japan DSD/SACD   2013 Japan SHMCD   2018 Japan UHQCD   Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.

Summary: Until the release of "Who's Next Deluxe", the excellent sound of the original mix of the Canadian CD pressing seems to be the "fans choice". The sound of Disc 1 on "Who's Next Deluxe" (UK promo) supercedes that. Unfortunately, the "Deluxe Edition" is one disc short - you still need to have the remix version in order to have all of the related bonus tracks.

Note: At this time I have not reviewed the UK/German stock copy of "Who's Next Deluxe" and therefore don't know if it will have the same characteristics as the UK promo.

Other Comments: According to Producer, Jon Astley, it was a tough judgment call not to stray too far from the original mix of this album in reissuing it (i.e. leaving off master tape goodies like the extra lead guitar track in "Going Mobile" or the repeated lyrics in "My Wife", etc.) as this album seems to be somewhat of a "sacred cow" amongst fans. While some (like myself) would consider these changes improvements, others might decry, "sacrilege!" Some of the master tapes were lost and not able to be remixed (i.e. Bargain, Song is Over, Won't Get Fooled Again). On the remix version, "Too Much Of Anything" is not the version from "Odds & Sods" as the liner notes indicate, but rather an outtake, previously unreleased.

Also worth noting that original USA (stock and promo) and Canada pressings of the Won't Get Fooled Again single (45 RPM) feature added language, "From The Motion Picture 'Lifehouse' "

Who's Next / Lifehouse - Version Comparisons (MP3): Teenage Wasteland: Demo   Pete Townshend Live Version (2000) Going Mobile: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Pete Townshend Live Version (2000)   Roger Daltrey Lead Vocal Live Version 2009   Simon Townshend Live Version (2012) When I Was A Boy: Original Mix   Remastered Version (2017) Baba O'Riley: Demo   Instrumental Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Live Version (1978)   Pete Townshend Live Version (2000) Classified: Demo   Alternate Demo   Time Is Passing: Demo   Original Mix (Mono)   Original Mix (Stereo)   Live Version (1971)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1976) Love Ain't For Keepin': Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   NY Sessions Version   Live Version (1971)   Live Version (1982) Bargain: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Live Version (1971 Young Vic)   Live Version (1971 San Francisco)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1976)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1980) Too Much Of Anything: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Alternate Version Remix   Live Version (1971) Greyhound Girl: Demo   Live Version (2000) Mary: Demo   Live Version (2000) Baby Don't You Do It: New York Sessions   Live Version (1971 Young Vic)   Live Version (1971 San Francisco)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1974) Behind Blue Eyes: Demo   Alternate Demo (1)   Alternate Demo (2)   Alternate Demo (3)   Original Mix   Remix   False Start & Studio Chatter   NY Sessions Version   Live Version (1971)   Live Version (1976)   Live Version (1979)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1986)   Roger Daltrey Live Version (1994)   Roger Daltrey Live Version (2011) I Don't Know Myself: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Live Version   My Wife: Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   John Entwistle Solo Version   Live Version (1971)   Live John Entwistle Version (1975)   Live Version (1979) Put The Money Down: Demo   Original Mix   Remix Pure And Easy: Demo   Alternate Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   NY Sessions   Live Version (1971) Getting in Tune: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   NY Sessions   Alternate NY Sessions Version   Live Version (1971)   Live Version (2000) Let's See Action (Nothing Is Everything): Demo   Alternate Demo   Original Mix   Alternate Version   Remix  Live Version (2000) Relay: Demo   Original Mix   Remix  Live Version (1995) Electronic Wizardry: Demo   Wizardry (1973)  Join Together: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Alternate Version   Live Version (1989)   Pete Townshend Version (2000) Won't Get Fooled Again: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   Remix Version (1996)   Alternate Version   NY Sessions Version  Live Version (1971)   Live Version (1978)   Live Version (1979)   Pete Townshend Live  Version (1979)   Pete Townshend Live Version (1985)   Live Acoustic Version (1996)   Live w/The Roots & Jimmy Fallon Version (2019) The Song Is Over: Demo   Original Mix   Remix   False Start Version   Live Roger Daltrey Version (1994) Notes: Remix versions, NY Sessions versions and live versions from the Young Vic (1971) engineered by Revolution Studios Manchester, UK.             Original Mix versions of "Who's Next" tracks, <most of the> "Pete Townshend Demos" and several other tracks, remastered by Jon Astley.

               

About: Who's Next Ever go into a restaurant and look at the menu only to find way too many choices? When that happens, you end up staring at the menu too long because you can't decide which item you are going to order... That's sort of how I felt about "Who's Next"... Which version should I play? * Original mix USA CD - Steve Hoffman mastering? * Original mix Canada CD - Steve Hoffman mastering? * Remixed <1995> CD - Tim Young/Metropolis remastering? * Deluxe Edition <2003> (original mix) - Jon Astley remastering? (And these were just the ones I was deciding over - there's a whole shelf of more choices and variations of the above... So... I "started out" with the remixed CD (USA - MCA 1995 version to be exact) and I'm thinking to myself, something is missing... I stop listening, go downstairs and grab the original mix MCA 1984 USA CD (Steve Hoffman mastering), and swap discs around "Going Mobile"... I then say to myself, something is still missing, go downstairs (again) and grab the Polydor 2003 UK Deluxe Edition... So, while I'm running back and forth with all these silly CDs, I'm thinking to myself - Who really cares about any of this? If I had to put some #s and %'s associated with people's ability to discern these sonic differences, it would probably go something like this: 75% - Don't know, don't care about "sound quality differences" - at least not consciously * 20% - Don't necessarily understand sound quality differences, but when you personally A/B them two versions of the same album with different sonics, they immediately "get it" and become more aware that these differences exist and some of this 20%, will now be more aware and less satisfied with "status quo". 5% - These folks "get it" immediately. They are "in tune" with sonic differences and how things should and shouldn't sound. * While record companies and producers typically rely on the 95% "don't ask, don't tell" factor, what they aren't always aware of (and should be) is that if something doesn't sound right, the 75% and the 20%, may not even perceive (or understand technically) what the issue is, they will simply say "I don't like the music" and not listen to it. This happened to me when I first became a Who fan - the MCA double/back LPs of "My Generation" (backed with "Magic Bus"), etc. - sounded terrible. I just thought the "old 60's Who music was crap" - How would I know then that the "reissue LPs" had "bad sonics"? Had someone not played for me an import LP of the same, I never would have listened to those albums again - hence I moved from the "75%" to the "20%" (and eventually to the 5%)... Not to get too technical here, but this helps explain what I was listening to (and experiencing) as I was running up and down the stairs swapping CDs... So... here's what I found... All of these CDs sound good (the good news) But... Each of these CDs seems to be "lacking" something (the bad news) The Remix CD - great remixes, great overall sound. However, the bass isn't quite as "bassy" as it should be. "Who's Next" doesn't have the signature JAE "twangy" bass sound, but rather more of a Paul McCartney "fuzzy" bass sound. Listening to this CD (whereas everything else about it is pretty perfect), it doesn't seem to want to "rattle the room" with the bass (like other versions of "Who's Next" do)... So, to be fair - each stereo and room ambiance is different from one another, I figured let me test my "memory banks" and grab another CD - so, I grabbed the best of the Hoffman mastered CDs (USA pressing, <but actually made in Japan> - yes, it's all confusing). Pop it in... The BASS IS BACK! :) OK, so I have the bass back... How's the rest of it? Pretty damn good, but what I liked about the remix was the ambiance and the spatial qualities. While this version sounded really really good - I found it was missing something that I just heard in the previous CD. Had I never heard the remix, I probably would have thought it was "just fine" - but... So... another dash to the CD cabinet... Deluxe Edition... Sounds good, but... There's that damn compression again. Not a ton, but enough for me to pay attention to it (vs. the music). The sonics are pretty good on this, except, where the drums should be "crisp", they sound a little "dull". This might be due to the added compression (or not). (Geez, I'm hard to please...) If the remix's mastering had the bass turned up just a snad it would be perfect. (Of course you can then take this whole discussion and "twist" it around based on taste...) My taste is for X, your taste is for Y - is X better than Y or just different? Aside from the meaning of life and sound quality discussion above (if I haven't lost you yet)... The music! "Who's Next" to me is... like The Beatles. In the 60's, I heard so much Beatles music on people's "transistor radios" on the beach, car radios (pre stereo) and just about everywhere that the simple songs became so familiar and overplayed - that today, instead of saying "Wow - the Beatles!" I say - yeah, "Too much of anything is too much for me..." I sort of feel this way about "Who's Next". I love the music, but the versions of the songs on the album are way too familiar and overplayed - so I look for "substitutes" (different versions) of the same songs to play instead (i.e. the killer "Baba O'Riley" from "The Kids Are Alright" or the live "Bargain" from SF '71). That's just me... For all the years I've had "Who's Next", "Bargain" was one of my favorite Who songs - the best "love song" ever written... :) When I used to play the album, I skipped right past "The Song Is Over" and "Getting In Tune". (I prefer the Pete demo of "The Song Is Over" and the NY Sessions version of "Getting In Tune"). Great music - what else is there to say? After writing the above - I walked away and felt I left a lot "unsaid"...   Why?   I was too focused on just the original tracks and not the plethora of tracks that were added in 1995 and thereafter...   For those of you who collect bootlegs, you might be familiar with the 1990 From Lifehouse To Leeds story...   One day, this fabulous sounding bootleg is released with <what seemed like> "outtakes" from "Who's Next".   They weren't actually outtakes - but rather a previous attempt to record the album in NY by Kit Lambert - with some guest guitar work by Leslie West (never quite understood that one).   Some of these tracks were previously circulated, i.e. "Behind Blue Eyes" with the banter before the song where Keith Moon says, "Roger is admiring his arse in the mirror" and starts laughing, was intended to be used on the 1988 Box Set:   http://www.thewho.info/Other1.htm   (Oops - they edited that out in the official version!)   But for the most part, these tracks were new, fresh and somewhat of an oddity. Raw Who in the studio, with a mostly "live" sound quality to the music. These versions of the songs <for the most part> were very different than what was ultimately released on the original "Who's Next".   Apparently, someone found these multi-track tapes in a garbage dumpster! They were simply "tossed out"!   I recall at the time, folks saying, "How could the band be this careless!" (and on and on and on)...   It wasn't about that in 1971 - Does anyone think that way back then, the band was saying to themselves, "Gee, we better save this stuff because in 1995 we are going to put a CD together and reissue this as bonus material!" (No, they weren't.)   So... the stuff was found, the bootleggers got their hands on it, released a surprisingly marvelous CD (with some poor sounding "Live At Leeds" unreleased tracks - hence the title) and everyone scratched their heads...   Fast forward to The Who reissue program beginning with the "Maximum R&B" Box Set in 1994... Producer Chris Charlesworth put out an all points bulletin to the "Who world" - that they were interested in retrieving lost Who tapes - no questions asked...   Apparently these tapes <mysteriously> showed up!   So what do we have here?   * Pure And Easy - Raw and powerful - I like the "Odds & Sods" version better - but this is a nice alternative.   * Won't Get Fooled Again - This is sort of experimental. The Pete demo is more representative of the "Who's Next" version, this one is "different". I like different, but they were still sorting the song out at this point...   * Love Ain't For Keeping - Pete on lead vocal - has a more "live" sound to it. I like this a lot.   * Behind Blue Eyes - A nice variation. I like this better than the "Who's Next" version.   * Baby Don't Do It - Edited on the 1995 "Who's Next" and subsequent official releases. I really like this a lot! A shame it's edited.   * Getting In Tune - I like this much better than the "original" version - much more interesting...   OK... so this stuff is cool enough... Let's fast forward to the "Deluxe Edition" version with the Young Vic show...   This is a great Who performance. It's mixed just like "Live At Leeds" and the band sounds just great. Included here are some great period "Who's Next" songs, perhaps performed for the first time or close to...   The Young Vic tracks:   Love Ain't For Keeping, Pure And Easy, Young Man Blues, Time Is Passing, Behind Blue Eyes, I Don't Even Know Myself, Too Much Of Anything, Getting In Tune, Bargain, Water, My Generation, Road Runner, Naked Eye, Won't Get Fooled Again   My favorite track here clearly is, "Time Is Passing" - WOW! How did this song fall through the cracks???   "Bargain" is a bit too under-rehearsed. If you compare this "raw" version vs. the well-rehearsed, SF '71 - the latter completely blows it away. However, it's still a GREAT live track (what's wrong with having both?)   What's missing here is the fantastic performance of "Baby Don't You Do It" (which is more like the studio version and to me - it completely blows away the SF '71 version)   What I think has happened here was an attempt to "cram" too much great stuff on one CD (Deluxe Edition) and as a result too many compromises were made (i.e. having to make tough decisions as to what stays and what gets cut)...   What I'd suggest is the following...   A "new" "Who's Next" Deluxe...   All Studio tracks (unedited) as well as out-takes (i.e. the "Going Mobile" with the left channel lead guitar) - let it all out...   A new, "Who's Next - Live At The Young Vic" -  unedited, remastered - a 2 CD full version of the concert.   There are 3 albums in the Who catalogue which sell very well when "stamped" with the following names:   Tommy Who's Next Quadrophenia   So... why not???

 

About: Who's Next Super Deluxe Edition Box Set Wow! Wow! And… WOW!!! Welcome to one of the best all-time Who box sets! A lot of work, love and devotion went into its creation and you can clearly tell from what has been delivered. Almost no stone was unturned to provide fans with the ultimate “Who’s Next” / “Lifehouse” experience. While a few fans have criticized the price (~$250 - $300 USD), let me assure you that the San Francisco 1971 concert (Discs (9) nine & (10) ten) is worth the price alone! So… let’s start here. What do concert tickets cost these days? This show is one of those flawless, ultimate Who concerts. The kind of show that if you had Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine, it could top your list of Who shows to visit. From start to finish the entire band is on fire. It has a different sound/vibe than Live At Leeds (Leeds) with Pete Townshend (Pete) and John Entwistle (John) dueling each other the entire time to outperform each other. It’s absolutely amazing to listen to them in a way that <perhaps> has never been quite captured like this before (for an entire concert release). In the middle of Pete and John are Roger Daltrey (Roger) (unbelievable power, energy and flawless) and Keith Moon (Keith) drumming non-stop. If you love The Who, these (2) two discs will just blow you away. The value? A concert ticket <barely> buys you (1) one performance. Here, you get to listen to this show as many times as you like (and you will). Skipping around a bit… Disc (4) Four – The Record Plant Sessions… While <mostly> previously released before, there were some surprises included which make these very special. They now include studio banter (great stuff) and… A previously unreleased version of “Behind Blue Eyes” (really great) and while not labeled as “new” per se, “I’m In Tune” (“Getting In Tune”) which appears to be noticeably different (and about 21 seconds longer). This material deserves its own disc and finally has one. Very enjoyable and truly great performances. The Rarities (and singles)… (Discs (5) five & (6) six). I have always loved rarities. Give me something that’s different than the standard release and I light up like a “Christmas Tree”. Different, unique, special. I’m there. Prior to this project’s conception, I had donated a bunch of unedited tracks from these sessions to what was planned to be a “rarities” box circa 2015. That never came to be, but these tracks became some of the basis for <some of> the new tracks that were released here. By way of example, “Going Mobile” with the restored lead guitar. “My Wife” with extra length and (2) two repeating versus (think of the 1997 remix of “Dangerous”). However, one big surprise is a longer, unedited version of “Let’s See Action”. I thought my version was special, but this version (almost a minute longer) includes lyrics/vocals that were not in my version, leading me to believe that this might be even a newly released take. As fans, you’ve probably read over the years about the unedited “Join Together” (which John referred to as a “leftover” from “Odds & Sods”). Besides being much longer, it features “Pennywhistle” breaks where are just magnificent. They change the whole feel of the song and make it so much more interesting. After so many years, the multitracks for the studio version of “Heaven And Hell” were finally discovered and a new, stereo mix was created. My biggest issue with the mono version has always been Keith’s drums fading into the abyss early in the song. Now, the song has been brought to life as it deserves to be. The extended version of “The Seeker” is a remix and different than the “unedited” version released on the Record Store Day (RSD) “Odds & Sods”. That version was the original mix, which lobbed off the cool ending (which was also featured on Pete’s demo of the song). This version keeps it intact (and is a better mix overall). The IBC version of “Water” pounds away more like a live in the studio feel. Absolutely love it. I can go on describing the unedited versions of “Relay”, “Pure And Easy”, etc., but I think a review should be enough of a “taste” and allow you to figure a lot of this out on your own. (See "Other Comments" below regarding "Time Is Passing".) Moving on to Pete’s demos (Disc (2) two and (3) three… First and foremost… I LOVE Pete’s demos. Not just these ALL of Pete’s demos. His demos represent his raw talent, genius and creativity. He even plays all the instruments! I can recall the first time I heard <some of> these demos. They were on a bootleg LP, appropriately titled, “The Genius Of Pete Townshend”. Even with the crackles (from an acetate source), the music and performances were just fantastic. Later, I purchased “Who Came First”, which had more of the same and yada, yada, yada… Some of you may already own Pete’s “Lifehouse” box from 2000. While the sound quality was flawed (I posted how to correct it on my website), the content was endless. This version of “Lifehouse” is not the same. From what I understood was that this was a “getting back to basics” featuring the original <yellow> IBC label acetates as the “starting point” or “core” “Lifehouse”. While those (2) two discs might be what was pressed/presented at the time, I don’t believe that was a complete representation. For example, I have a different “Lifehouse” acetate set on the Master Room label, which includes… “Classified”! (The version that was used on the "Glastonbury Fayre" LP set.) Hence, this song was clearly intended for “Lifehouse”, but appeared neither on the previous release or this one. My point is that “Lifehouse” seems to be a big fluid and not necessarily exacting (another example is “Electronic Wizardry”, which was defined as an unused Lifehouse track when released as a bonus on a “Psychoderelict” single in 1993. We learned subsequently, the song became “Wizardry”, an unused “Quadrophenia” track. At the end of the day, someone has to make decisions what to include and what not to include. Some people will be happy, others might scratch their head trying to figure it all out <again> and that’s OK. So… The released songs ARE great. You might recognize “There's A Fortune in Those Hills” from the last “Who Came First” release. Also included is a brand new find, “Finally Over”. Pete also included some newly mixed tracks, which “freshen” up the demos a bit and provide extra value (since they are… different than previously released versions). Great stuff! The Young Vic (CDs (7) seven & (8) eight… About 20 years ago now, most of the Young Vic concert was released on the “Who’s Next Deluxe Edition” CD. Due to space limitations, “Pinball Wizard”, “See Me, Feel Me”, “Instrumental Jam”, “Baby Don’t You Do It” (my favorite live version) and "Boney Moronie" (previously issued with (2) two different mixes) were left off. The box set restores the entire concert as well as a nice improvement of the overall sound. It’s interesting to compare this show (April, 1971) to the San Francisco show (December, 1971) as the set list, performances and even style changed quite a bit. It’s also interesting to note that “Time Is Passing” was the first of only (4) four live performances. Who’s Next (CD (1) One)… Not much to say here. Simply a very fine, newly remastered version of the original album. The Blu Ray… (to be continued for an update in the near future) Other <Noteworthy> Comments… The Almost: One of the initial concepts was to recreate “Lifehouse” by filling in the missing parts/pieces and mixing them in with alternate/unedited “Who’s Next” songs to create something unique onto its own.  Using Pete’s “Lifehouse Chronicles” as guide, songs like, “Teenage Wasteland”, “Mary”, “Greyhound Girl”, etc. were going to be recorded in the studio (with Roger and others) to transform the demo versions into “Who versions”. Unfortunately, Covid19 sent us all into isolation and it never happened. Heroics: A friend in Italy, Alberto Genero donated the use of some of the master tapes in his collection to help with the rarities. That was very generous and kind of him. One of the tapes was “Time Is Passing” (stereo). On the first tape machine, one of the channels played back a bit out of phase, making the tape unusable. However, a different machine was then used and the problem became “manageable”. Eventually, there was a world-wide tape search and they were able to locate a perfect tape (tape warehouse databases change all the time). Few people get to see the “behind the scenes” and often, not enough (and sometimes not at all) credit is given where it is deserved. The Missing: I referred to “mostly” above. I wouldn’t be me, if I didn’t point out a few songs that were not included… You might recall the alternate “Too Much Of Anything” from the 1995 remixed/remastered “Who’s Next” (which was actually used in error at the time). That version is not included. “Getting In Tune” (the previously released version from the NY Sessions) is also not included. The good news is, you most likely have these already and if you don’t, they are widely available. As mentioned above, the Pete demos released here in the box are different than the previously released “Lifehouse Chronicles”. Hold onto that box too! The Sound… Great sound (mastering and mixes) throughout the box. If there are any exceptions (i.e. the right channel lead guitar on “Going Mobile” vs. unreleased left channel lead version ), that’s me being me again and being picky. You can listen to this box set over and over and over again forever and never ever have a complaint. So the bottom line is… If you haven’t bought it already, do it now! It’s truly great and you will endlessly enjoy it. Part (2) Two: The Steve Wilson Blu Ray Disc… Mixed feelings about this disc. It’s good, but in my mind, it doesn’t go far enough… There are (2) two sections, the original “Who’s Next” (9) nine tracks and (13) remixed bonus tracks. I want to also clarify that I only listened to the disc in (2) two channel. I’m not a fan of surround sound. I tried it several times and thought it was more of a novelty vs. a “wow”. But as they say in “Quadrophenia”, “Each to their own sewage.” I mention this because if you are a multi-channel kinda listener, you aren’t getting a “full review”. Starting with the original “Who’s Next” section, you are listening to is basically… (the original “Who’s Next”). The “new mix” doesn’t excite me, because the most likely purpose of it was to give the listener a nice 5.1 (or more) experience of the original album and not much more (which is perfectly fine). I can see where a lot of fans would like just that. Me? I would like to see all of the unedited parts used (i.e. the lead guitar from “Going Mobile”, the extra 12 seconds from “Baba O’Riley” (not included in this box set), the extra versus in “My Wife”, etc.) If you are going to “remix it”, in my mind, REALLY remix it – just like the bonus tracks throughout the CD section of the box set (or perhaps do both – to satisfy both sets of listeners). Again, nothing “wrong” going on here, but for “2.0 Me”, just another “Who’s Next”. Sound samples from this section: Baba O’Riley Bargain Love Ain't For Keepin' My Wife The Song Is Over Getting In Tune Going Mobile Behind Blue Eyes Won't Get Fooled Again One of the funnier stories that came out of the above, was with “Bargain”. At the time they were prepping for the Atmos mixes, I had coincidentally remixed “Bargain” myself, with alternating Pete vocals from right to left channels. I sent a copy to Jon Astley to see what he thought of it and he somehow mistakenly believed I had a copy of the original multitrack tape (for “Bargain”). The exchange of emails was a little like Abbott & Costello’s “Who’s On First?” (until I was able to clarify exactly what I sent him). Unfortunately, the multitrack for “Bargain” was missing. Since I was working with “demix” software (which takes 2.0 tracks and converts them to multitracks) at the time, I was asked to demix a flat, HD master of “Bargain” to use for the Atmos. Not quite a true multitrack, but much better than nothing at all… Moving on to the “Bonus Tracks”…. I can appreciate the work that went into these and in many examples, I found them to be interesting and with cool nuances (“Naked Eye” is a good example of that). I probably prefer “When I Was A Boy” here vs. the newly remixed CD version (someone else might prefer the CD version). A few things that bothered me though were… “The Seeker” – it’s the “unedited” version but… it lobs off the ending (which was included on the CD version). On “Join Together” (also unedited), one of the coolest features is Pete’s pennywhistle. However, Steve mixed it out on the bridge, but left it intact throughout the ending (see samples below). Artistic choice? Sure. However, I’m not a fan of it. Before getting to the bonus track samples, I want to comment on the sound… The bass seems a bit “boomy”. Fairly easy to fix, but not sure why this happened in the first place… Bonus Track Samples: The Seeker Here For More Now I'm A Farmer I Don't Know Myself Water Naked Eye Pure And Easy Too Much of Anything Let's See Action (this is the unedited common version vs. the CD version which is a newly released version) When I Was a Boy Join Together (Steve Wilson Version) vs. Join Together (Richard Whitaker Version) Put The Money Down Relay Long Live Rock Please note that 30 second samples for detailed, nuanced material doesn't always give you anything more than just a "taste". Lastly, please don’t take my comments as “negative”. Critical yes. Me being a bit picky, yes. But at the end of the day, it’s all good and yours is the opinion that counts! Enjoy!

Track Listing:

Original: Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Love Ain't For Keeping, My Wife, Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again

Remix: Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Love Ain't For Keeping, My Wife, Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pure And Easy - (previously unreleased), Baby Don't You Do It - (previously unreleased), Naked Eye - (live), Water - (live), Too Much Of Anything (previously unreleased version), I Don't Even Know Myself, Behind Blue Eyes - (previously unreleased)

Deluxe Edition (2003):

Disc 1: Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Love Ain't For Keeping, My Wife, Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again, Baby Don't You Do It (NY Sessions), Getting In Tune (NY Sessions), Pure And Easy (NY Sessions), Love Ain't For Keeping (NY Sessions), Behind Blue Eyes (NY Sessions), Won't Get Fooled Again (NY Sessions)

Disc 2: (Live At The Young Vic, 1971): Love Ain't For Keeping, Pure And Easy, Young Man Blues, Time Is Passing, Behind Blue Eyes, I Don't Even Know Myself, Too Much Of Anything, Getting In Tune, Bargain, Water, My Generation, Road Runner, Naked Eye, Won't Get Fooled Again

Super Deluxe Edition (Box Set):

CD One: Who’s Next (Remastered): Baba O’Riley, Bargain, Love Ain’t for Keeping, My Wife, The Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile,  Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again

CD Two: Pete Townshend's Lifehouse Demos 1970 - 1971 – Part 1: Teenage Wasteland, Too Much, Going Mobile, There's A Fortune in Those Hills, Love Ain't For Keeping, Bargain, Greyhound Girl, Mary (Alternate Mix), Behind Blue Eyes, Time Is Passing, Finally Over, Baba O'Riley (Instrumental – Full Version)

CD Three: Pete Townshend's Lifehouse Demos 1970 – 1971 – Part 2: Pure And Easy (Home Studio Mix), Getting In Tune (Alternate Mix), Nothing Is Everything (Let's See Action), Won't Get Fooled Again, Baba O'Riley (Vocal Version), Song Is Over (2021 Remix), Pure And Easy (Olympic Studios Mix), Mary (Original Mix), Baba O'Riley (First Editing <Instrumental>), Song Is Over (Original)

CD Four: Record Plant, NYC Sessions March 1971: Don’t Do It (aka Baby Don’t You Do It) [Take 2, Unedited, March 16, 1971], Won’t Get Fooled Again [Take 13, March 16, 1971], Behind Blue Eyes (Version 1) [Take 15, March 16, 1971], Love Ain't For Keeping [Take 14, March 17, 1971], The Note (aka Pure and Easy) [Take 21, March 17, 1971], I’m In Tune (aka Getting in Tune) [Take 6, March 18, 1971, Behind Blue Eyes (Version 2) [Take 10, March 18, 1971}

CD Five: Olympic Sound Studios: London Sessions 1970-72: Pure And Easy, I Don’t Know Myself [B-side with Unreleased Count-in], Time Is Passing [Stereo Mix], Too Much of Anything [Original 1971 Vocal], Naked Eye [1971 Remake], Bargain (Early Mix), Love Ain't For Keeping (Unedited Mix), My Wife (Unedited Mix), Getting In Tune (Take 1 with Jam), Going Mobile (Alternate Mix), Song Is Over (Backing Track) [with Nicky Hopkins], When I Was a Boy (Remix), Let's See Action (Unedited Mix), Relay (Unedited Mix) [Alternate Vocal], Put The Money Down [Remix with Original Vocal], Join Together [Unedited Remix]

CD Six: Singles & Sessions 1970-72: The Seeker (Original Single Mix), Here For More [Original Single Mix], Heaven And Hell [Stereo Remix], Water [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix], I Don't Know Myself [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix], Naked Eye [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix], Postcard [Eel Pie Sound Studio – Original 1970 Mix], Now I'm A Farmer [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Remix], The Seeker (Unedited Version), Water (IBC Version), I Don’t Know Myself (IBC Version), Let's See Action (Original Single Mix), When I Was a Boy (Original Single Mix), Join Together (Original Single Mix), Relay (Original Single Mix),  Waspman (Original Single Mix), Long Live Rock (Original Olympic Mix)

CD Seven: Live At The Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971: Love Ain’t for Keeping, Pure And Easy, Young Man Blues, Time Is Passing, Behind Blue Eyes, I Don’t Even Know Myself, Too Much of Anything, Getting In Tune, Bargain

CD Eight: Live At The Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971: Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me, Baby Don’t You Do It, Water, My Generation, (I’m A) Road Runner, Naked Eye, Bony Moronie, Won’t Get Fooled Again

CD Nine: Live At The Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971: Introduction, I Can't Explain, Substitute, Summertime Blues, My Wife, Baba O'Riley,  Behind Blue Eyes, Bargain, Won't Get Fooled Again, Baby Don't You Do It, Magic Bus

CD Ten: Live At The Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971: Introduction To Tommy, Overture, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Pinball Wizard, See Me Feel Me, My Generation, Naked Eye, Going Down

BLU-RAY AUDIO: Steven Wilson Atmos Mix (48kHz 24-bit)** Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix (48kHz 24-bit)** Steven Wilson Stereo Mix (96kHz 24-bit)* Original 1971 Stereo Mix (96kHz 24-bit)

Baba O’Riley, Bargain, Love Ain’t For Keeping, My Wife, The Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again

Bonus Tracks: Steven Wilson Atmos Mix (48kHz 24-bit) Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix (48kHz 24-bit)

The Seeker (Unedited Version), Here For More, Now I'm A Farmer, I Don't Know Myself (Eel Pie Sound Version), Water (IBC Version), Naked Eye (Olympic Sound Version), Pure And Easy, Too Much of Anything, Let's See Action, When I Was a Boy, Join Together (Unedited Version), Put The Money Down, Relay (Unedited Version), Long Live Rock

Deluxe Edition (2023):

Disc 1: Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Love Ain't For Keeping, My Wife, Song Is Over, Getting In Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again

Disc 2: Behind Blue Eyes (Record Plant, NYC Sessions – Version 1) [Take 15, March 16, 1971], Getting In Tune (Alternate Mix) (Life House Demo), Mary (Alternate Mix) (Life House Demo), Love Ain't For Keeping (Record Plant, NYC Sessions) [Take 14, March 17, 1971], Pure And Easy (Olympic Studios Mix) (Life House Demo), I Don't Know Myself [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix], Too Much of Anything [Original 1971 Vocal], Time Is Passing (Live at the Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971), Bargain (Live at the Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971), My Wife (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971), Baba O’Riley (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971), Won’t Get Fooled Again (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971)