The story behind this is well known - while the rest of the group worked with the Tommy movie, John Entwistle was put in charge for compiling an album with rare or unissued tracks to meet the excessive bootlegging of the band. In a way he and producer John Alcock did a fine work in re-mixing and polishing, making it up to date with a sventies sound. It sold very well - #8 in US and #10 in UK - and has been re-issued on CD several times, some with originally unissued bonus cuts from the compiling session and some using the first analog mix. It's a success story, still I'm not 100% aboard. A great album with top numbers and good audio and probably the only way you can get some of it on vinyl, but it's not the true versions. I see it as an anachronism - sixties mods in seventies drag. When it comes to older Who rarities I prefer listening to the "Who's Zoo" bootleg
https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-whowhos-zoo-tmq-w556-74.html . I'm not wining, just passionate about getting things historically correct. Favorite tracks - "Glow Girl", "Put The Money Down" and "Little Billy". US issue on MCA/Track (MCA-2126). First UK had matt label as shown here, thin matt cover with "ripped" front and song list in braille on back, two picture posters - one concert image and one with lyrics and Pete Townshend song comments. (WÖH*)(TRÄC*)
I share your ambivalent feelings towards this release, but not really because of the production. It's just, like with all outtakes albums, there was a reason why this stuff didn't come out in the first place.
SvaraRaderaSide 1 is kind of a let-down, even though it ends on a high note (Glow Girl). "Too Much of anything" sounds like an 2nd rate imitation of "The Weight" and is just awful (and I really like The Band). Side 2 is ever-so-slightly better thanks to the Lifehouse outtake "Pure & Easy" and "Naked Eye" which nonetheless does sound a bit unfinished.
My preferred pressing of this is the original US, as cut by The Mastering Lab. It sounds just a bit more precise and cleaner than the orig UK (of which I have a mint copy as well).
I agree some of the stuff should have been left with the bootleggers. Maybe it was made more for the money than for the music. Still enjoy parts of it though. Will try a US 1:st as soon as it shows up at the shop. Thanks Prof.
SvaraRadera'Pure And Easy' is excellent - Who's Next' CD reissue contains this song as one of the bonus but in different version, in more folk-rock style. 'Naked Eye' is great too, but I don't remember this version, I am focus on version from 'Who's Next' CD.
SvaraRaderaThanks for the CD info. Those are fine tracks too. It was a great group and even if some of the cuts here aren't their absolute best, it's still better than most other contemporary stuff.
Radera