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The Who - Pete Townshend Albums - Page 2: 

Rough Mix - UK - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - UK - 1977 Polydor Cassette

Rough Mix - UK - 1983 Polydor LP (Reissue)

Rough Mix - UK - 1983 Polydor Cassette (Reissue)

Rough Mix - UK - 2016 UMC CD

Rough Mix - UK - 2017 UMC LP

180 gram red vinyl

Rough Mix - UK - 2017 UMC LP (Disc Face)

180 gram red vinyl

Rough Mix - UK - 2017 Abbey Road LP (Test Pressing)

Rough Mix - UK - 2023 UMC LP (1/2 Speed Master)

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA LP (Acetate)

2 single sided acetate LPs

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA LP (Acetate)

Disc 1

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA LP (Acetate)

Disc 2

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA LP

(Sealed copy)

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA Cassette

Rough Mix - USA - 1977 MCA 8-Track

Rough Mix - USA - 1983 Atco LP (Promo)

Reissue

Rough Mix - USA - 1983 Atco Cassette

Reissue

Rough Mix - USA - 1989 Atco CD

Rough Mix - USA - 1989 Atco CD

Long Box CD Packaging

Rough Mix - USA - 2006 Hip-O CD/DVD

Remastered with bonus tracks

Rough Mix - Australia - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Australia - 1977 Polydor Cassette

Rough Mix - Brazil - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Canada - 1977 MCA LP

Rough Mix - Canada - 1983 Atco LP (Reissue)

Rough Mix - Canada - 1983 Atco Cassette

Rough Mix - Canada - 1989 Atco CD

Rough Mix - Germany - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Holland - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Italy - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Japan - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD

Mini-LP cover

Rough Mix - Mexico - 1977 Polydor LP (Promo)

Front cover. Mexico sleeve, USA vinyl

Rough Mix - Mexico - 1977 Polydor LP (Promo)

Back cover. Mexico sleeve, USA vinyl

Rough Mix - New Zealand - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Norway - 1977 Polydor LP

UK sleeve, Norway vinyl

Rough Mix - Saudi Arabia - 1977 747 Cassette

Rough Mix - South Africa - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Spain - 1977 Polydor LP

Rough Mix - Taiwan - 1977 Union LP

Empty Glass - UK - 1980 Atco LP

Autographed

Empty Glass - UK - 1980 Atco LP

First pressings came with poster (see posters section)

Empty Glass - UK - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - UK - 2017 UMC LP

3rd Remaster. 180 gramm clear vinyl

Empty Glass - UK - 2017 UMC LP

3rd Remaster. 180 gramm clear vinyl

Empty Glass - UK - 2017 Abbey Road LP (Test Pressing)

Empty Glass - UK - 2023 UMC LP (1/2 Speed Master)

The Pete Townshend Tapes - UK - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

2 LP set of music and interview

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco 8-Track

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco 8-Track

RCA Record Club version

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco 8-Track

Columbia House Record Club version

Empty Glass - USA - 1980 Atco 8-Track

Columbia House Record Club version with slipcase

Empty Glass - USA - 1984 Atco CD

Empty Glass - USA - 1984 Atco CD

Long box packaging

Empty Glass - USA - 1984 Atco CD

(2nd) Long box packaging

Empty Glass - USA - 1994 Atlantic CD

1st Remaster

Empty Glass - USA - 1994 Atlantic CD (Box)

Remastered gold CD. Comes in special packaging.

Empty Glass - USA - 2006 Hip-O CD

2nd Remaster

Copa Vacia - Argentina - 1980 Atco LP

Copa Vacia - Argentina - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Australia - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Australia - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Brazil - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Canada - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Canada - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Canada - 1980 WEA 8-Track

Empty Glass - Canada - 1993 Atco CD

Empty Glass - Canada - 1994 Atco CD

1st Remaster

Empty Glass - Colombia - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Germany - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Germany - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Germany - 1984 Atco CD

Empty Glass - Germany - 1994 Atco CD

1st Remaster

Empty Glass - Greece - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Israel - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Italy - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Italy - 1980 Atco Cassette

Alternate track order (see below)

Empty Glass - Japan - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Japan - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Japan - 1994 East/West CD

1st Remaster

Empty Glass - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD

2nd Remaster. Mini-LP cover. Includes mini poster, which is somewhat different than the one that was issued with the original UK LP (see poster section).

Empty Glass - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD (Promo Box)

Box only

Empty Glass - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD (Promo Box) (front)

Box only (Larger version than above)

Empty Glass - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD (Promo Box) (back)

Box only

Empty Glass - Japan - 2007 Imperial LP

2nd Remaster

Empty Glass - Korea - 1980 Life LP

Empty Glass - Mexico - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

Front cover. Mexico sleeve, USA vinyl

Empty Glass - Mexico - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

Back cover. Mexico sleeve, USA vinyl

Empty Glass - New Zealand - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - New Zealand - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Portugal - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

Empty Glass - Portugal - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Portugal - 1980 Atlantic LP (Promo)

Empty Glass - Saudi Arabia - 1980 747 Cassette

Includes "Till The Rivers All Run Dry" and "Catmelody" from "Rough Mix"

Empty Glass - South Africa - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Spain - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Spain - 1980 Atco Cassette

Empty Glass - Taiwan - 1980 LM LP

Empty Glass - Venezuela - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Yugoslavia - 1980 Atco/Suzi LP

Empty Glass - Yugoslavia - 1980 Suzi Cassette

Empty Glass - Zimbabwe - 1980 Atco LP

Empty Glass - Zimbabwe - 1980 Atco LP (Promo)

Empty Glass - Zimbabwe - 1980 Atco LP (Promo) (Label Face)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 1982 Atco LP (Test Pressing)

Does not include "Vivienne" on sleeve as its USA counterpart (below)

Listening Time - UK - 1982 Atco LP (Promo)

Autographed. Music & Interview for "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes" (Note: About 1/2 copies are autographed)

Listening Time - UK - 1982 Atco LP (Promo)

Music & Interview for "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes"

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 2016 UMC CD

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 2017 UMC LP

180 gramm gold vinyl

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 2017 UMC LP

180 gramm gold vinyl

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - UK - 2017 Abbey Road LP (Test Pressing)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco LP

Columbia House Record Club Edition

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco LP (Label Face)

Columbia House Record Club Edition (Note: "CH")

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Specialty Records LP (Test Pressing)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco LP (Test Pressing) (back cover)

Track listing includes unreleased song, "Vivienne". However, song is not included on LP (See close up in next picture)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco LP (Test Pressing) (close up of back cover)

Note: Track "Vivienne"

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco Cassette

Columbia House version

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1982 Atco 8-Track

Inside Track - USA - 1982 Atco LP (Promo)

Music & Interview for "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes"

Inside Track - USA - 1982 Atco LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

Music & Interview for "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes"

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1993 Atco CD

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 1993 Atco CD

Long box packaging

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 2000 Atlantic CD

Remastered

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - USA - 2006 Hip-O CD

Remastered with bonus tracks

Ojos Chinos - Argentina - 1982 Atco LP

(Todos Los Mejores Cowboys Tienen Ojos Chinos)

Ojos Chinos - Argentina - 1982 Atco Cassette

(Todos Los Mejores Cowboys Tienen Ojos Chinos)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Australia - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Brazil - 1982 Atlantic LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Canada - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Canada - 1982 Atco Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Canada - 1993 Atco CD

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Colombia - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Germany - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Germany - 1982 Atco Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Germany - 1993 Atco CD

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Germany - 2006 SPV CD

Remastered with bonus tracks

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Greece - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Hong Kong - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Indonesia - 1982 Saturn Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Indonesia - 1982 A Private Collection Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Ireland - 1982 Atco LP

Sleeve made in Germany, vinyl pressed in Ireland

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Italy - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Japan - 1982 Atco LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Japan - 1998 Atco CD

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD

Mini-LP cover

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Japan - 2006 Imperial CD (Promo Box)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Front Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Front Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Front Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Mexico - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo) (Back Cover)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - New Zealand - 1982 Atlantic LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - New Zealand - 1982 Atco Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Portugal - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Portugal - 1982 Atlantic LP (Promo)

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Saudi Arabia - 1982 747 Cassette

Uniforms (All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes) - Saudi Arabia - 1982 Foot Print Cassette

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Spain - 1982 Atlantic LP

All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes - Yugoslavia - 1982 Atco LP


ROUGH MIX

Album: Rough Mix 

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain), MCA (USA, Canada), Atco (USA, Canada), Union (Taiwan), UMC (UK)

CDs Sampled: Atco (USA, Canada), Imperial (Japan), Hip-O (USA), UMC (UK)

Non-album Tracks: None

LP Comments: The 1983 Atco (USA) pressing is wonderful. All of the other pressings seem to have good sound quality, but their vinyl quality varies.

CD Comments: The Atco (USA, Canada) is a great sounding CD!!! The mastering on the Imperial (Japan), Hip-O (USA) and UMC (UK) adds compression and is a bit louder. The compression diminishes some of the warmth of the Atco (USA) or LP versions, and some tracks sound a little harsh, while others sound pretty good. The Atco (USA, Canada) CD versions are pretty perfect. (Note: The volume of this CD is relatively low, but nothing your volume control knob can't remedy.)

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of "Misunderstood" from various pressings of "Rough Mix" as described above. Note: "RM" denotes "Remaster"

1977 UK LP   1977 USA LP   1977 Australia LP   1977 Brazil LP   1977 Canada LP   1977 Germany LP   1977 Holland LP   1977 Italy LP   1977 Japan LP   1977 New Zealand LP   1977 Norway LP   1977 Spain LP   1977 Taiwan LP   1983 UK LP (Reissue)   1983 USA LP (Reissue)   1983 Canada LP (Reissue)   1989 USA CD   1989 Canada CD   2002 USA DAT Master   2006 USA CD (1st RM)   2006 Japan CD (1st RM)   2016 UK CD (2nd RM)   2017 UK LP (2nd RM)   2023 UK LP (1/2 Speed Master)

Bonus:

"Misunderstood" from the UK master tape outtakes reel: 1976 Instrumental   1977
Alternate Version

Extra Bonus:

Notable difference comparisons between the 2006 USA DVD-A (5.1 Mix played at 2.0) and Original Mix (1989 USA CD):

My Baby Gives It Away:

DVD-A   Original

Keep Me Turning:

DVD-A   Original

Misunderstood:

DVD-A   Original

Heart To Hang Onto:

DVD-A   Original

Till The Rivers All Run Dry


DVD-A
   Original

Value Added Bonus:

"
Good Question" (bonus track from the 2006 USA DVD-A) vs. "Brrr" (demo track from 1983 Scoop
album):

Good Question
   Brrr


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

Summary: "Rough Mix" is one of the best-produced, best sounding Who-related albums. The sound is smooth and the mix is "up front" as if Pete Townshend is playing to you personally. The Atco (USA, Canada) CD sounds excellent, as does the Atco (USA) LP. If you don't already have this album in your collection, buy it.

Other Comments: The Imperial (Japan), Hip-O (USA) and SPV (Germany) CD come with 3 bonus tracks, 2 by Ronnie Lane, 1 by Pete Townshend. The track, "Good Question" (an instrumental), is a full-length version of the "Brrr" track from "Scoop"

The Hip-O USA version is a CD on one side and DVD on the other. The DVD features: 2.0 Audio mix, 5.1 surround mix, a picture gallery and video interviews with Pete, Glyn Johns and Ronnie Lane's former manager. Also note that the DVD-A 5.1 mix played at 2.0 has some interesting variations (listen above) vs. the original released versions.

About: Rough Mix

This is another one of those albums that grew on me over time.

I bought this record in 1982 and liked  most of the Pete songs and recorded them to cassette along with other various tracks from Pete and some of the Roger Daltrey solo tracks that "needed a home"...

What I immediately liked about the album is the production values - they are outstanding. Listening to this album is like having Pete and the band in the same room - everything is recorded "just so"...

Getting back to the music...

The album was released in 1977 - right in-between
The Who By Numbers and Who Are You...

Out-takes from
The Who By Numbers? Songs too "mellow" for "The Who" ? Or just a Pete and Ronnie Lane project all on its own? (Or a potential combination of all of the above???)

Regardless of what the intention of the songs were, they are brilliant. Sort of different for Pete regarding anything that came before or after...

My favorites are:

* Misunderstood (Brilliant lyrics - I smile when I hear this song - as I can really identify with it personally)

* Street In The City (This is just a really cool song, nice orchestration, etc...)

* Heart To Hang Onto (Wow! One of Pete's best. Would have made a fantastic Who song with Roger instead of Ronnie Lane - but perfectly fine as is... I recall hearing it live for the first time in 1996 at the Supper Club in NY - unbelievable...)

* Till The Rivers All Run Dry (I initially hated this. A
Don Williams song - never heard of him! But over time, I really began to appreciate it, Pete's vocals and musical performances by Pete and Ronnie - now I love it. Go figure.)

The original Atco CD (USA, Canada) wasn't released until 1989. I recall wondering what the heck was going on with it - and then it finally came out. It sounds perfect - just like the original LPs. The remastered version (with Ronnie Lane bonus tracks) came out during the period where compression was in style.

Since then, I have acquired the master tape outtakes reels. The production values are outstanding and shine through. Hopefully these tracks will see an official release sometime in the near future.

Track Listing: My Baby Gives It Away, Nowhere To Run, Rough Mix, Annie, Keep Me Turning, Catmelody, Misunderstood, April Fool, Street In The City, Heart To Hang Onto, Till The Rivers All Run Dry

Track Listing (2006 - Imperial Japan, 2006 - Hip-O USA):  My Baby Gives It Away, Nowhere To Run, Rough Mix, Annie, Keep Me Turning, Catmelody, Misunderstood, April Fool, Street In The City, Heart To Hang Onto, Till The Rivers All Run Dry, Only You, Good Question, Silly Little Man


EMPTY GLASS

Album: Empty Glass

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Atco (USA), Atco (UK), Atco (Canada), Atco (Argentina), Atco (Japan)

CDs Sampled: Atco -1st pressing-made in Germany (USA), Atco - 2nd pressing-made in USA, <1st> remastered Atlantic-Gold (USA), Atlantic - <1st> remastered (USA), Atlantic - <1st> remastered (Germany), East-West - <1st> remastered (Japan), <2nd> remastered Imperial (Japan), <2nd> remastered Hip-O (USA), <3rd> remastered HD Download (UK)

Non-album Tracks: "Classified", "Greyhound Girl" (from the "Let My Love Open The Door" EP, 1980 Europe only), "Let My Love Open The Door"- alternative mix (from the 1996 UK CD single)

LP Comments: The Atco (USA) pressing sounds great and has excellent quality vinyl. No need to look further.

CD Comments: This CD was among the earliest of CDs. The first pressings (made in Germany) were extremely bright and hard to listen to. The 2nd pressings offered an improvement, but not enough to make a difference. The USA and Germany <1st> remastered pressings are also too bright and tinny, while the Japan (East West) <1st> remastered version is fine in many spots, but too bright in important areas (i.e. vocals for "Rough Boys" and "Let My Love Open The Door"). The <2nd> remastered Japan (Imperial) and USA (Hip-O) sounds harsh in some spots, OK in others. The bonus tracks on the CD are mastered much better and sound just fine. The 1994 Atlantic - Gold (USA) CD sounds great (see additional comments under "Summary" below). The 2016 <3rd> remastered HD download is way too compressed and harsh.

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples from various pressings of "Empty Glass" as described above. Note: "RM" denotes Remaster

Rough Boys:

1980 UK LP   1980 USA LP   1980 Japan LP   1984 Germany CD   1984 USA CD   1994 Germany CD (1st RM)   1994 USA CD (1st RM)   1994 USA Gold CD (1st RM)   1994 Japan CD (1st RM)   2006 USA CD (2nd RM)   2006 Japan CD (2nd RM)   2016 UK HD Download (3rd RM)   2023 UK LP (1/2 Speed Master)

Let My Love Open The Door:

1980 UK LP   1980 USA LP   1980 Japan LP   1984 Germany CD   1984 USA CD   1994 Germany CD (1st RM)   1994 USA CD (1st RM)   1994 USA Gold CD (1st RM)   1994 Japan CD (1st RM)   2006 USA CD (2nd RM)   2006 Japan CD (2nd RM)   2016 UK HD Download (3rd RM)   2023 UK LP (1/2 Speed Master)

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

Summary: Find the 1994 Atlantic-Gold (USA) CD and enjoy it. If you prefer vinyl, the 1980 UK or USA LP will sound just as good. I have not found an explanation as to why the Gold CD sounds so much better than all the other CD versions. The Gold CD's mastering appears to based on the same <1st> Remastering as the other 1994 CD releases (USA, Germany & Japan). However, where as the non-Gold versions suffer from some harsh "bright spots", the Gold version doesn't. Unfortunately, the bonus tracks are not available on the Gold CD, so you basically need 2 CDs to have all the tracks with the best sound quality.

Note: The "Gold" CD is out of print and somewhat scarce. Copies have been selling on eBay for ~$20 to $100+.

Other Comments: It used to be "known" that Japanese pressings were "always better" because of the quality <virgin> vinyl they used or the care they put into the processing. What I've found, is that like everything else that's generalized, this isn't true. For the Who series, Japanese Polydor LPs ranged from bad to excellent and the Sony's were consistently excellent. On the other hand, USA LPs were supposed to be bad. This mostly depended on the label. Who and Who solo related, I've found that Warner Brothers products (including Atco and Atlantic) sounded great for USA pressings, but not so great for Japanese pressings.

The "Gonna Get Yah" bonus track on the Japan (Imperial) CD is actually labeled, "Long Version" (it clocks in at about 11:22). However, it doesn't appear to be an out-take, but more so a work-in-process demo version.

About: Empty Glass
 
There's such history to this album...
 
Unknown to Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, Pete signed a solo contract with Atco/Atlantic. The album was released, not just with "Who rejects" (songs that The Who chose not to record) but rather "prime" material or what would described as "the best stuff Pete had at the time". As Roger was very vocal about this - "Pete's now using his best material for his solo projects..."
 
Most Who fans seem to view Pete as "unseparatable" from The Who and therefore he should be doing this or that for the benefit of The Who and its fans.
 
However, life doesn't work that way. Pete is a gifted artist and as such, was deeply frustrated with the limitations The Who had put on his creativity. In Pete's mind - why should he write all these great songs - only to have Roger "reject" them. Valid points. It is also easy to understand Roger's point if view.
 
Hence, the album is released (i.e. The Who album that could have been) and is a big hit - Let My Love Open The Door in the top 10! (As high a chart position as I Can See For Miles).
 
From Pete's point of view - "What do I need The Who for?" And Roger and John's reaction...  "WTF???"
 
Of course it didn't help that
Face Dances was the next Who album and comparisons between these two albums were made constantly. (Oh well...)
 
It really is a great album - using a fresh version if the unused Who song for its title track and another
Who Are You reject, Keep On Working. Personally, I like the Who version of "Empty Glass" much better. I can play that version over and over and over and never tire of it. This version is a bit lighter.
 
My favorite tracks are:
 
Rough Boys, Let My Love Open The Door and A Little Is Enough (which I believe Pete once claimed was his favorite song that he has written).
 
As for CDs... For whatever reason - there's only one CD out if the many versions which captures the sound of the vinyl LP - and that's the Atco Gold CD (in the box). The rest all seem to be plagued with various issues. This album would probably do very well to be completely remixed and remastered.

Track Listing: Rough Boys, I Am An Animal, And I Moved, Let My Love Open The Door, Jools And Jim, Keep On Working, Cats In The Cupboard, A Little Is Enough, Empty Glass, Gonna Get Ya

Track Listing (1980 Atco Italy Cassette): A Little Is Enough, I Am An Animal, And I Moved, Let My Love Open The Door, Empty Glass, Keep On Working, Cats In The Cupboard, Jools And Jim, Rough Boys, Gonna Get Ya

Track Listing (2006 - Hip-O USA, Imperial Japan): Rough Boys, I Am An Animal, And I Moved, Let My Love Open The Door, Jools And Jim, Keep On Working, Cats In The Cupboard, A Little Is Enough, Empty Glass, Gonna Get Ya, I Am An Animal (demo), Keep On Working (demo), And I Moved (demo), Gonna Get Ya (work-in-process/demo)


ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES

Album: All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Atco (UK, USA, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Yugoslavia)  Atco-test pressing (USA), Atlantic (Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain), UMC (UK)

CDs Sampled: Atco (USA, Canada, Germany, Japan), Atlantic (USA - 1st Remaster), Hip-O (USA - 2nd Remaster), Imperial (Japan - 2nd Remaster), UMC (UK - 3rd Remaster)

Non-album Tracks: "Man Watching" (b side of "Face Dances Part 2" in USA, UK and France, as well as b side of "Uniforms" in Holland). "Dance It Away" (b side of Uniforms (UK)) "Slit Skirts" (a different version is available on the Video EP - see VIDEO section).

LP Comments: The 1982 Atco (USA) has excellent sound and vinyl. I slightly prefer it to the Atco (UK) and all of the others. The other LPs all sound very good, but the USA has a slight edge in detail and overall sound. The LP version of the UK 3rd remaster sounds a little better than its CD counterparts, but not as good as the original LP versions. 

CD Comments: The original pressings of the CD Atco (USA, Germany, Canada) all sound excellent. The 2000 remastered (USA Atlantic) version turns up the volume, increases the treble and adds more bass in a completely artificial and pointless way. The 2006 versions (2nd remaster) adds too much compression - however, the 2 bonus tracks are very welcome!. The 3rd remaster reminds me of the 2000 (1st remaster) with an artificial sounding boost to the highs and overall sounding un-natural.

Compare for yourself!
 
Below are 30 second WAV samples of Uniforms from various pressings of "All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes" as described above. Note: "RM" denotes "Remaster"

1982 UK LP   1982 USA LP   1982 Argentina LP   1982 Australia LP   1982 Brazil LP   1982 Canada LP   1982 Colombia LP   1982 Germany LP   1982 Greece LP   1982 Hong Kong LP   1982 Ireland LP   1982 Italy LP   1982 Japan LP   1982 Mexico LP   1982 New Zealand LP   1982 Portugal LP   1982 Spain LP   1982 Yugoslavia LP   1993 USA CD   1993 Canada CD   1993 Germany CD   1998 Japan CD   2000 USA CD (1st RM)   2006 USA CD (2nd RM)   2006 Germany CD (2nd RM)   2006 Japan CD (2nd RM)   2016 UK CD (3rd RM)   2017 UK LP (3rd RM)

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

Summary: Any of the original (non-remastered) CD versions (as above) would be my first preference. After that, the Atco (USA) LP (which sounds just as good if not slightly better). The bonus tracks on the Imperial (Japan) CD are available on other CDs can be found on eBay. The bonus tracks on the 2006 Hip-O (USA) and SPV (Germany) can only be obtained on this CD ("Vivienne") or vinyl 45s (Dance It Away and Man Watching)

Other Comments: The USA test-pressing has a different track order on its album sleeve and lists the track, "Vivienne". However, the actual record contains the same songs and in the same order as the commercially released version. "Vivienne" has been released on the 2006 SPV (Germany) and 2006 Hip-O (USA) CDs. (See Next Page for uncut Test Pressing LP sleeve.)

About: All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
 
When this album first came out in 1982, I bought it on day one (what else would a "Who fan" do?)
 
And then of course I played it... Scratched my head a few times and was like...
 
Well... some really good songs on here, but...
 
So, I recorded the songs I liked (Communication, Face Dances Part 2, Slit Skirts) and put the album away for 6 months, never to be played again, until...
 
...while reading the many articles that were published during the 1982 Who tour, I came across an interesting article where Roger Daltrey was talking about this album. He couldn't see himself singing any of the "poetry", but he did go on a bit about "Uniforms".
 
He said "Uniforms" was like
Quadrophenia all wrapped up in one song.
 
This made me stop and think... Wow! What an interesting comment to make.
 
So, I pulled the album out, recorded the whole thing to cassette and begin to listen to it.
 
Needless to say, it grew on me quickly. I absolutely love "Uniforms" and you know you are in pure "Pete heaven" - when you hear Pete singing,
 
"N-N-N-ever, N-N-N-ever hesitate...." ("Communication")
 
Great stuff!
 
Later on, the video was released and it really contained some priceless scenes. Hard to beat!
 
My favorite songs are:
 
* Stop Hurting People (good rules to live by)
 
* The Sea Refuses No River (I actually paid more attention to this song after hearing Roger perform it live in 1994!)
 
* Communication (absolutely great Pete performance and the lyrics are so very true
)
 
* Uniforms (such a fun song and with a great low bass organ ending)
 
* Slit Skirts (powerful closer to the album - wow!)
 
* Somebody Saved Me - Seems that Pete was "saved" a "few times" by *not* having sex with various particular women? Interesting... (It didn't really make a good Who song - wise leaving it off of the original "Face Dances" album...

(I never liked this song as much as the others, but while listening to it again, I paid a bit closer attention to the lyrics and meaning...)
 
And lastly - the 3 songs left off of the album...
 
* Vivienne (a last minute removal - I have a test pressing of the album where its included on the track listing - but they scrubbed it at the last minute)
 
* Dance It Away (great song! Doesn't really fit on the album and was originally intended for The Who, but...)

* Man Watching (Interesting song, not quite sure how I'd categorize it...)

Track Listing: Stop Hurting People, The Sea Refuses No River, Prelude, Face Dances Part Two, Exquisitely Bored, Communication, Stardom In Action, Uniforms, North Country Girl, Somebody Saved Me, Slit Skirts

Track Listing (2006 - Imperial Japan): Stop Hurting People, The Sea Refuses No River, Prelude, Face Dances Part Two, Exquisitely Bored, Communication, Stardom In Action, Uniforms, North Country Girl, Somebody Saved Me, Slit Skirts, The Sea Refuses No River (Live La Jolla, 2001), Slit Skirts (Live The Fillmore, 1996)

Track Listing (2006 - Hip-O USA, SPV Germany): Stop Hurting People, The Sea Refuses No River, Prelude, Face Dances Part Two, Exquisitely Bored, Communication, Stardom In Action, Uniforms, North Country Girl, Somebody Saved Me, Slit Skirts, Vivienne, Man Watching, Dance It Away

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