The Who - Hooligans. In the 1980s MCA Records put out some of the worst quality vinyl ever made by a major label. If you’re looking for old Who records anything with the MCA blue sky rainbow label should be play-tested before purchasing. Despite printing errors on the sleeve and rough edges and intrusive surface noise on the discs, I’ve always been rather fond of this compilation from 1981. That’s why I’ve chosen it to represent The Who today, the 19th of May.
Happy Birthday Pete Townshend!
Pete Townshend & Ronnie Lane - Rough Mix
Ronnie Lane’s “April Fool” is one of my all-time favorite songs. Occasionally, I’ll sing it loudly to myself when I know nobody can hear me. I wish the little jam at the end (featuring Eric Clapton on dobro) over the bowed bass lasted at least a half hour longer.
Can shutting off the computer and watching a live Who DVD followed by a James Bond movie cure a nasty cold? I’m about to find out.
Happy Birthdays John & John! (wherever you are)
The Who - Live At Leeds. How many copies of Live At Leeds does one person need? My answer currently is four. If I were a rich man I’d have more (I’m sure countless wealthier collectors do). As I’m not, the box of my Super Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition (top right) is damaged. That was the only one I could afford to buy when I realized that it was a limited edition and new mint copies were out of stock everywhere. But the contents are in fine shape, including the Live At Hull CD’s that I was most excited about. Though it contains a book, a reproduction of the original vinyl LP, a 7” single, the two CD expanded expanded version of the album (with most of Tommy added), the two Hull CD’s, and the poster it does not include reproductions of the original inserts. The set in the top left is the first Special Numbered Edition expanded CD (only one disc, sans most of Tommy) which reproduced the packaging, with poster and inserts, of the original LP. I don’t know how many they made but mine is number 002268 so it must not be very rare. Bottom left is the first copy I ever bought, a budget MCA release. Bottom right is what I believe to be an original US pressing missing the poster but supposedly containing all the other inserts. I can’t be sure because someone sealed them all in the plastic baggie shown between the two bottom LP’s. Why? I don’t know. I’ve never seen nor heard of another copy like that. There must be some but I’m pretty sure the album wasn’t originally sold that way.
So there you go. Nine discs of live Who. That’s how many you need. Wait a minute…no it’s not. I need more…
Concerts For The People Of Kampuchea. Lots of great music here, including an entire LP side from The Who. Also on the album, but not listed on the cover, are Robert Plant (singing with Rockpile), John Bonham, John Paul Jones, and Ronnie Lane.
The Who - The Kids Are Alright. This soundtrack, like the movie, begins with The Who playing My Generation on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. It’s one of the greatest moments in rock history, starting with Tommy Smothers trying to joke around with each member and ending with Keith Moon blowing up his bass drum. Moon and Townshend could very easily have been killed…
Pete Townshend (and others) - I Am. One of three various artists tribute albums to Meher Baba that Townshend released in the early 70’s. The only real reason for owning this is to hear the nearly 10 minute instrumental (synth only) version of Baba O’Riley. Internet research tells me that this is a second edition and that second editions sound better than first editions but lack most of the original inserts. This one has only a picture of Meher Baba inside.
The Who - Jai’ Baba For Pete’s Sake, The High Numbers Present “Who The F*ck!?” Plus 19 Other Spiffy Tunes, Maximum R&B, and Backstage Pass. Bootleg Week day seven.
The Who vs. Bizarre Mr. Pig, Trade Mark of Quality bootleg. Under the taped on cover art is stamped: The Who - Radio London. The “Side 2” and “Side 1” notes must have been added by a previous owner. Most, if not all, of these tracks have been officially released as bonus tracks on compact discs. The art is by Wm G Stout and was later used (without crediting Mr. Stout) for the disc of the Odds & Sods remaster.
