I was just having a listen to one of Pete's early 80's solo albums and it occured to me how brillant these albums are. As it always does. For me these albums, although not Who albums, seal The Who's greatness in Rock history. Far superior to The Who's final two albums, these albums from [I]the man[/I] himself and released at around the same general time as Face Dances and It's Hard, are what The Who should of and could of been at the time. If you are unfamiliar with them they are Empty Glass and All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, respectively. If you want to check out some tracks I have compiled a list of suggested tracks to download, as follows:

From Empty Glass:

Rough Boys
A Little Is Enough
Let My Love Open The Door
Jools And Jim
Empty Glass
Cat's In The Cup Board
Gonna Get 'YA

From All The Best Cowboys Have Chinene Eyes:

Stop Hurting People
The Sea Rufuses No River
Face Dances Part Two
Exquisitly Bored
Stardom In Acton
Slit Skirts
Somebody Saved Me

Also worth mentioning is his 1985 solo album White City. It's very good. Suggested tracks:

Give Blood
Brillant Blues
White City Fighting
Hiding Out
Secondhand Love

These songs would of been awesome in the hands of The Who and it was an opportunity missed, as they rejected some and Townshend held back others. They certainly would of done wonders for Face Dances and It's Hard. Although I am fond of Face Dances as it is. Enjoy.


[B]I asked Bobby Dylan/ I asked The Beatles/I asked Timothy Leary/But he couldn't tell me either. - PT from The Seeker[/B]

The Who are great, especially magic bus and Pinball wizard but MY GENERATION is best

As a huge Who fan (my name gives it away), I'm very excited about this thread. Great job!

[QUOTE=Drjimmy]As a huge Who fan (my name gives it away), I'm very excited about this thread. Great job![/QUOTE]

Great. Because this thread can use some support. I would like to see this thread survive until the Who2 album is released. That's why I post book excerpts and recommendations from time to time to keep it circulating. Some other bands have some real stong threads on these boards, and I would like to see this one keep up for both old and new fans alike. I didn't create the thread, Lunch did with his incredible F.A. And that read alone is worth keeping this thread alive and well for. So welcome to The Who thread and feel free to visit and post your thoughts concerning the band whenever the mood strikes you.

The quote you posted from The Seeker previously is one I use as an away message on AIM often. I really like it.

Who threads in the past usually consist of a page or two or people saying they love them, and then the thread dies. I wanted to hopefully start a bit of a longer lasting one by doing an F.A.

Also right now, this thread is stickied so it will be at the top of the boards. But in a few days a new F.A. will be up, so this one will no longer be stickied.

Out here in the fields... I fight for my meals...

Great stuff.

[QUOTE=BassMasterMike88]you left out the thing about Townshends "windmill" guitar playing style but thats pretty trival.[/QUOTE]
I mentioned it in the beginning, but never went into any detail about it.
[QUOTE]Should have talked bout their gig at Woodstock more[/QUOTE]
They had a pretty disappointing show at Woodstock, except for the "See Me, Feel Me" climax.
[QUOTE=mick7]p.s. baba 'o riley = best who song ever![/QUOTE]
One part of it is absolutely amazing to me still, after they break for Townshend's short solo vocal part ("Don't cry..."). Moon comes back in and then when they hit the next chord is fantastic. I wouldn't call it their best though.

I don't really like the Who's music after Keith Moon died. As I am a drummer.

Even the most dedicated Who fans, like me don't like a lot of The Who's stuff after Moon died. Eminence Front is great though.

[QUOTE=ledpoisoning27]I don't really like the Who's music after Keith Moon died. As I am a drummer.[/QUOTE]

Yup. That did change things. Although who knows if he would of made that big a difference to The Who any longer even if he had lived? His drumming on Who Are You is subpar for him, and Pete was already starting to drift. Guess we will never know for sure what impact he could of continued having. I'm hoping for the best from Who2. Even if it can't be real original anymore. And Zak Starkey behind the kit serves me just fine. But then again, I'm not a drummer.

Zak Starkey is good. Moon's drumming was certainly declining, but he still beats Kenny Jones, and Who Are You is better than Face Dances or It's Hard IMO.

[QUOTE=robo2448]Zak Starkey is good. Moon's drumming was certainly declining, but he still beats Kenny Jones, and Who Are You is better than Face Dances or It's Hard IMO.[/QUOTE]
Zak Starkey is fantastic. I've seen him in live shows, he does a great job.

[QUOTE=robo2448]Zak Starkey is good. Moon's drumming was certainly declining, but he still beats Kenny Jones, and Who Are You is better than Face Dances or It's Hard IMO.[/QUOTE]

Certainly better than It's Hard. But something about the stripped down sound of Face Dances really appeals to me.. Besides It's Hard, Who Are You is actually my least favorite 70's - 80's Who album. Not because of the songs or overall production, but because of the heavy synths used. Not the first time The Who used 'em, of course. Before that they had used them to great effect. But some songs on Who Are You are simply awash in them. Ruins it for me. And It's Hard is half horrible, half good, to my ears. That's why I always refer to Townshends first two solo albums, which I feel are superior to The Who's final three albums. Including Who Are You.

Who are You is definitally the most dissapointing album I had ever recieved (even if it was a gift that *I* asked for). Obviously I got it for Who are You, which is still a killer song. But I had heard my dad's LP and disliked it. Then several months later I still wanted it for my birthday :rolleyes: don't know what went through my head. I never listen to it or the mp3s (except for Who are You, naturally), except I do like the synth intro to 905.

^ Yeah, 905 is a song where I feel they got it right. Because at least the synths feel integrated. On New Song, Had Enough, and Sister Disco, they just sound thrown over the top of everything. And Love Comes Down is just filler, basically. So when you consider that and the fact that the album is just 9 songs long, overall the album just doesn't work for me. I just feel it could've been better. Eh, just my opinion.

:wave:

The Who By Numbers is underrated. It's the last great Who album.

Who Are you, Face Dances and It's Hard are each fairly lame in different ways. The songs are generally weaker, the production is cheesy and unimaginitive, and the musicianship is often boring.

Who Are You

Even though the synth sound on Who Are You bugs me, I still kind of like "New Song" "905" "Sister Disco" and, of course, "Who Are You," which is such a wonderfully odd song. It's so unique and different from the rest of the album (especially in its unconventional structure) that its very existence feels like a gift. I feel the same way about "Eminence Front"

Moon's drumming is lumbering and pathetic throughout the album (and the drums were recorded and mixed to sound way too big and heavy). As reported, Moon clearly wasn't in good shape. It's sad. Especially during "Music Must Change" whose 6/8 time signature proved too much for Moon. Townshend ended up recording his own squeaky footsteps for the beat.

Face Dances

Weak. "Don't Let Go the Coat" is a real lowpoint for the band. "Cache Cache" is silly as hell. I can't believe Roger is actually singing, "there ain't no bears in there" over and over.

"You Better You Bet" and "Another Tricky Day" are all right, but my surprise favorite is "Daily Records" which I find irresistibly fun. Kenney Jones' drumming is workmanlike but so uninspiring. And the production of the album is so boring. I really hate Townshend's guitar sound and the drum sound. By this time, The Who had definitely fallen behind the times when it came to production. Even Townshend's solo albums, which were recorded around the same time (and which I love), have lame production. On White City, Townshend started paying more attention to the "sound" of his albums and I think to great success. If only he had done it earlier.


It's Hard

Ugh, I hate this album except for two songs. "Eminence Front" turned out to be the best song the Who recorded since "Who Are You" and arguably one of their 10 best songs ever. What a surprise, especially considering the simple structure of the song. There's no intricate melody here, just a long cool groove, and somehow it works. And who knew it would become so well-known? Even if people don't know who recorded the song, they are usually vaguely familiar with it.

My other favorite is "Cry if You Want." I love the guitar break at the end, although, again, I hate the thin sound Townshend chose for his guitar.

But, man, I wish they could just take back this album and record a different one. I also wonder what would have happened if Townshend gave the band his best songs. "Rough Boys" played by the whole band could have really kicked ***.

[QUOTE=Drjimmy]The Who By Numbers is underrated. It's the last great Who album.[/QUOTE]
Its one of their most odd ones too, with all of them writing very odd and funny songs. By the Way, is that Entwistle on vocals on Boris the Spider?

[QUOTE=ledpoisoning27]By the Way, is that Entwistle on vocals on Boris the Spider?[/QUOTE]

Yes! It's an Entwistle song.

[QUOTE=ledpoisoning27]Its one of their most odd ones too, with all of them writing very odd and funny songs. By the Way, is that Entwistle on vocals on Boris the Spider?[/QUOTE]

Yup. It's his signature tune, of sorts. Entwhistle was a cool guy. And he wrote some pretty quirky tunes in his day. I guess eccentric would describe him.

Hey, this thread has passed 100 posts :thumb:

[B]LONG LIVE ROCK![/B]

And The Who, of course :chug:

[QUOTE=ledpoisoning27]Its one of their most odd ones too, with all of them writing very odd and funny songs.[/QUOTE]

are you sure you're talking about The Who By Numbers?

or do you mean A Quick One?

[QUOTE=JohnXDoe]Yup. It's his signature tune, of sorts. Entwhistle was a cool guy. And he wrote some pretty quirky tunes in his day. I guess eccentric would describe him.[/QUOTE]

I've always liked Whiskey Man, don't know why.

[QUOTE=Drjimmy]are you sure you're talking about The Who By Numbers?

or do you mean A Quick One?[/QUOTE]

Yea, pretty big difference there, A Quick One is there 2nd album while The Who By Numbers is their 2nd to last full album together. The Who By Numbers also has some quirky songs but nothing like Boris the Spider. I love By Numbers, possibly as much or more than Who's Next, but not quite as much as Live At Leeds or Tommy.

A Quick One also has Cobwebs and Strange, Heat Wave, etc. In terms of weird songs.

Yea A Quick One and The Who Sell Out are really weird, and really funny.

And let's not forget the throw together Odd's and Sod's. Now I'm A Farmer is quirky as hell! This was actually the album where as a kid I first became aquainted with The Who.

I grew up with A Quick One and The Who Sell Out, those were my dad's favorites.

[QUOTE=lunch998]I grew up with A Quick One and The Who Sell Out, those were my dad's favorites.[/QUOTE]

Yup. I really like there pre-Tommy albums. After Odds & Sods I went the Tommy-Who's Next-Quadroprenia route. Then Townshends early eighties solo stuff. But the early stuff is essential to understand where the band came from and how they evolved. I think the soul of the band lies within' the early stuff. The Who really were part of there audience, not above it. And I think they remained that way, or at least tried to, throughout the years. Which is part of there appeal. I have a picture book of sorts that shows them as The Detours, High Numbers, and The Who way back in the day, dancing in the clubs and carrying on and what not. The Who as hipsters. Cracks me up.

The communication with the audience The Who have is refreshing. I read a review of the Live in Boston DVD where the reviewer criticized Townshend for telling the audience to shut up at one point and **** off at another. He thought Townshend was insulting them. Called him grouchy and confrontational. Obviously this person is not at all familiar with Townshend or The Who!

Their first album definitely shows them as part of their audience, even though it doesn't have most of their mod pop on it.

[QUOTE=lunch998]I mentioned it in the beginning, but never went into any detail about it.

They had a pretty disappointing show at Woodstock, except for the "See Me, Feel Me" climax.

One part of it is absolutely amazing to me still, after they break for Townshend's short solo vocal part ("Don't cry..."). Moon comes back in and then when they hit the next chord is fantastic. I wouldn't call it their best though.[/QUOTE]

I don't agree that it was disappointing except for See me Feel Me. I really love Sparks, it's my favorite version of that song. and Pinball Wizard was also very good.

[QUOTE=JohnXDoe]Yup. It's his signature tune, of sorts. Entwhistle was a cool guy. And he wrote some pretty quirky tunes in his day. I guess eccentric would describe him.[/QUOTE]

I really like Boris the Spider and Whiskey Man off of A Quick One. Definitely two of the best songs on that album.

lunch, do you have AIM or MSN? If so, could you please email your contact details to me? I think you know the address.

Ooooh... the Who! I love Heaven and Hell... the Isle of Wight version is ****in' great. I love Entwistle's voice... not that Rog is chopped liver. Actually, John's songs are most of my faves... Boris is great, and My Wife is one of my favorites from WN.

Ox was funn-eh.

new Who movie
 

I personally like all Who albums almost equally altough I like some songs better
as Townhend demos (Townshend was/is better singer to than Roger)
I like the pop tunes (like during Face Dances and solo era), funny/ridiculous,
the serious,rock,acoustic ....... :). I'm propably more "Townshend music" than "Who" fan...

Also they are making new a Who movie:

[url]http://www.thewhomovie.com/index.php[/url]

Complately moronic idea, I tihnk. There was no need for any kind documentary carbage.There's already TKAA. That film maker can never come even close to it.It seem that his trying to do that...

They should have just released 'The Who Maximum R & B..' kind of video. Just music.

Even more ridiculous is that this movie will also have separate disc
that has full songs from shows ?. They are from 1969 Coliseum and 1977 Kilburn shows.
Coliseum is great to have but why the hell would they include 1977 Kilburn when they surely have already inbetter material in hands and materail that's otut here if they would look for it.

Kilburn show was beyond **** gig. They hadn't rehearsed at all and Moon/Townshendwere wasted out of their minds.
Why the hell would they want to put that in there is beyond me.

Only reason I can see for including Kilburn show is that they haven't been really botheredto look for material and also haven't been willing buy to footage that is known to be in private hands

For example Daltrey bought 1964 ? footage from someone himself. So only
chance for getting that kind of material is if Roger wants to pay for it.
Townshend has said his isn't involded in this project in any way so he won't pay for anything. This is propably one bigreason why they included crappy show like Kilburn (plus they can'tn be bothred to look for any materail that might be out there like Sweden 1972, Saratoga 1971, One show from 1970, whole Paris 1972, 1979-1982 ? material etc.)

Is so sad that they cannot do things right..... of course this is nothing new
if you are a Who fan... hahahaha

[QUOTE=HeavyRiva]lunch, do you have AIM or MSN? If so, could you please email your contact details to me? I think you know the address.[/QUOTE]

My AIM is Lunch998, I'll look for you to get on.

[QUOTE=wanderer]

Is so sad that they cannot do things right..... of course this is nothing new
if you are a Who fan... hahahaha[/QUOTE]

This sounds okay to me, actually. Not quite as bad as you describe in your post, unless you have additional info your basing it on. Of most interest to me will be the recent activities of the band and the recording of the new album. As well as the Concerts For NY footage, which The Who absolutely owned. The Kilborn gig is also something I am looking forward to seeing, as it is really just before Moon's death. If it's the entire gig, I'm sure it will come across. However uneven it may of been.

Yes, it's been done before for The Who with TKAA and the excellent 30 Years of Maximum R&B set. Among other lesser titles. But this sounds pretty far reaching and I appreciate the fact that it's going to be fully up to date. Plus with the new album coming it may be a fresh perspective for older fans, and of course a brand new perspective for casual and newer fans. I'm hoping for the best from it.

....
 

I'm totally think that there's simple isnt any kind of need for any this documentary garbage. Like I said, they should have only released footage ... without any docu
bollocks.
Kilburn it's not uneven. It's horrendous.
You only need to listen the boot from that show once and you will never listen to it again.
Why on earth they would want to include that kind of crap.
I mean, I would understand it if there were no options but since there clearly
is, it makes even less sense. Why no put good performaces ?.
Every freaking show from 1979-1982 were better than Kilburn. They played ecxellent shows during that period and theres footage.

They interviewed rcently TKAA director (Jeff Stein) and apparently director of this new movie had contacted him to ask questions. Jeff Stein too was complately surprised that they would include Kilburn because it was so bad. Also to him the movie didn't sound very good.

Why it had to be so impossible to just give public video (live etc.) footage... ?

I took a personality disorder test on MX about an hour ago. These were my results:

Paranoid: Moderate
Schizoid: High
Schizotypal: Moderate
Antisocial: Moderate
Borderline: Moderate
Histrionic: Low
Narcissistic: Moderate
Avoidant: High
Dependent: Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive: High


Afterward I was thinking about the results while listening to The Who, and a song from Quadrophenia came on. Which is my favorite album ever. And I thought about why I like the album so much? Then I went back to the test.

Quadrophenia my favorite album of all time? No wonder! :lol:

Yea, you are Quadrophenia.

[QUOTE=lunch998]Yea, you are Quadrophenia.[/QUOTE]

Eh, not [I]nearly[/I] as bad as the test results suggest. D[COLOR=WHITE]amn[/COLOR] yes and no questions!

At any rate, here is some bad news for Who fans if you don't already have it. From Pete's website and his own mouth. On the near future of The Who:

[I]The new Who album has been delayed, not cancelled. The release date I had hoped for in the late spring or very early summer was whipped from under my nose after three years of writing. Shows we hoped to do in the early summer seemed to fizzle, and we lost our drummer to Oasis until January 2006. All alternatives proposed, and which I have desperately considered, do not fit in with my current commitments. I am committed to record the music for my new story The Boy Who Heard Music. I am also completing my autobiography later this year. Sadly, this forces a postponement of the planned Who activity this year for some indeterminate time.

I had lots of plans, but no hard schedule. And that is what has created this predicament. It’s probably my fault, because I work very slowly in the studio, and either no one believed I was actually recording, or they got tired of waiting. I should say that Roger has done what he calls sketch vocals on several tracks I produced, and the results are very exciting. But I feel I can’t tour any more with the Who without a new record. So until that record is actually in my hands, I must hold my breath and live in hope.[/I]

On Murray Lerner's new film:

[I] I have communicated with the line producers of the project and I am now satisfied that my privacy, and that of my friends and family will be properly respected.[/I]

That's all he said about the film. Doesn't sound too thrilled about it, as wanderer pointed out in his posts. The former is very disappointing news for this Who fan. :smash: