The Who - Pete Townshend Albums

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Atco (UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal), Crazy Cats (Taiwan), Classic (USA - 2nd Remaster), UMC (UK - 4th Remaster)

Summary: Look for the Atco (USA) CD. It not only sounds great, but it's all on one (single) CD!

Other Comments: As collectors of Pete demos know, some of the demos included in this collection are edited to varying degrees. For example, the unedited demo of "So Sad About Us" is about 2x the length of this version, the unedited demo of "Mary" has some cool guitar parts missing from this version, etc.

This also marks the beginning of the era in Europe where they tried to consolidate their vinyl releases from <mostly> a single factory/source (in this case, Germany). As the record companies geared up for CD production, they saw the writing on the wall and began this consolidation (this is why there was no UK pressing or pressings that would otherwise be available from other countries).

Track Listing: So Sad About Us/Brrr, Squeezebox, Zelda, Politician, Dirty Water, Circles, Piano: 'Tipperary', Unused Piano:'Quadrophenia', Melancholia, Bargain, Things Have Changed, Popular, Behind Blue Eyes, The Magic Bus, Cache, Cache, Cookin', You're So Clever, Body Language, Initial Machine Experiments, Mary, Recorders, Goin' Fishin', To Barney Kessell, You Came Back, Love Reign O'er Me

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Atco (USA, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Korea), WEA (Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru), Atlantic (South Africa, Zimbabwe)

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

Non-album Tracks: "Face The Face" (alternate version, available on 12" USA and European singles), "Won't Get Fooled Again" (live 1985 Deep End. Available on Atco (Germany) "Give Blood" 12", the Atco (USA) "Face The Face" 12" and the "Deep End Live" video.), "Magic Bus" (live 1985 Deep End. Available on all countries "Give Blood" 7" & 12" and the "Deep End Live" video.), "Hiding Out" (Extended version) & "Hiding Out" (instrumental version) (Available on the Atco (Germany) 12", titled "Hiding Out". On the 7" version of the same the instrumental version is not included). Note: the extended version is actually a completely different and longer take than the album version. The instrumental version is based on the extended version, not the album version.), "Night School" (1985 video version is available only on the "White City" video (Beta, VHS and Laser Disc), Night School (2006 CD bonus version, is available on the USA & Germany CDs only).

LP Comments: The Atco (Japan) is warmer and more natural sounding than either the Atco (USA) or Atco (Germany), which are fairly close to each other. An odd note regarding the 2017 UK (UMC) LP - the sound output is 7db lower than the 1985 USA LP (which is comparable to most of the other LPs).

CD Comments: Both 1985 USA and German CD versions sound good and are identical. The Atco (Japan) CD has "extra bass" and is an improvement over the USA and German versions. The Imperial (Japan) CD lacks some fidelity and has a touch of unneeded compression - The bonus tracks have almost no fidelity and sound much worse. The 2006 (USA & Germany) are louder, add compression (and bonus tracks). The 2016 (UMC) is harsh sounding.

Summary: I was very disappointed with the sound quality when this LP first came out in 1985. This album is very typical of the time period where studios were experimenting with digital recording techniques and the albums produced were somewhat tinny and were mixed with narrow stereo separation.

On a whole, the Atco CD versions are more balanced the USA or German LP versions. To do this review properly, I played my Japanese LP version for the first time. I had a sneaking suspicion that the extra, artificial bass (that seems to be typical of Atco/Warner Japanese LPs) would work to the advantage of this particular album. It does. The Japanese LP seems to balance out the <somewhat> digital sound that's inherent on the other LP and CD versions.

I prefer the Atco (Japan) LP to all other CD and LP versions for the reasons listed above. After that, the Atco (Japan) CD version sounds better than the LP versions. The Hip-O (USA) sounds pretty decent and has some nice bonus tracks. Most people won't notice the sound quality differences (above).

Other Comments: The extended version of "Hiding Out" seems to be mixed and/or recorded differently than the rest of the album's tracks, with overall much better sound quality and feel. If the rest of the album were remixed to sound like this single, it would be significantly improved.

Along with all the various non-album tracks, the Atco (German) LP was also issued with a shaped, picture disc of "Face The Face" included inside (See Pete Townshend SINGLES section). These LPs were denoted with a white, round "limited ... " sticker on the LP jacket.

Regarding the bonus tracks on the 2006 Hip-O (USA) and SPV (Germany) CDs - The version of "Night School" is not the same as the version on the "White City" video - It contains similar elements and almost sounds like a very long intro. "Save It For Later" sounds like a well-produced demo. Lastly, the "Hiding Out 12" Mix" is the same as the vocal version on the Germany 12" (with the same title).

Track Listing: Give Blood, Brilliant Blues, Face The Face, Hiding Out, Secondhand Love, Crashing By Design, I Am Secure, White City Fighting, Come To Mama

Track Listing (2006 - Imperial Japan): Give Blood, Brilliant Blues, Face The Face, Hiding Out, Secondhand Love, Crashing By Design, I Am Secure, White City Fighting, Come To Mama, Secondhand Love (Live Brixton, 1985), Face The Face (Live Brixton, 1985)

Track Listing (2006 - Hip-O USA, SPV Germany): Give Blood, Brilliant Blues, Face The Face, Hiding Out, Secondhand Love, Crashing By Design, I Am Secure, White City Fighting, Come To Mama, Night School, Save It For Later, Hiding Out 12" Mix

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Atco (USA, Canada), King Biscuit Flower Hour (USA), West Wood 1 (USA)

CDs Sampled: Atco (USA), Hip-O (USA), Imperial (Japan), Eel Pie (UK - Live Brixton Academy 1985)

Other Sampled: VHS Hi-Fi (USA), Laser Disc (Japan)

Non-album Tracks: Too many to list here! To promote the Deep End video (see VIDEO section), the record company created a radio station promo EP with several tracks from the video. Based on the popularity (and demand from fans) from radio broadcasts, Atco released this album (which is an edited version of the video). The video itself was an edit of an even longer concert, which featured tracks like "That's Alright Now Mama", "Harlem Shuffle", "Drifting Blues", "Night Train", etc. These tracks can be found on copies of the King Biscuit and Westwood 1 promo LPs. Won't Get Fooled Again (live) made its way as a bonus track on the various singles of the "White City" album.

CD Comments: Atco (USA) Sounds great! The Hip-O (USA) is too loud and the Imperial (Japan) lacks the fidelity of original CD or LP. The bonus tracks (on the Imperial (Japan) CD) are recorded louder and have less fidelity than the rest of the CD.

Summary: Both Atco CD or LP formats sound great! However, the Japan Laser Disc is <mostly> complete with CD quality sound and is recommended if you have the right equipment.

Other Comments: I'm not quite sure what the reasoning is to release the 2006, Imperial (Japan) or the Hip-O USA CD. As the same concert was previously offered for sale in its entirety (Live Brixton Academy 1985) from www.eelpie.com (Pete Townshend's former website) vs. this single CD edited version.

Track Listing: Barefootin', After The Fire, Behind Blue Eyes, Stop Hurting People, I'm One, I Put A Spell On You, Save It For Later, Pinball Wizard, Little Is Enough, Eyesight To The Blind

Track Listing (2006 - Hip-O USA, Imperial Japan): Barefootin', After The Fire, Behind Blue Eyes, Stop Hurting People, I'm One, I Put A Spell On You, Save It For Later, Pinball Wizard, Little Is Enough, Eyesight To The Blind, Magic Bus (live Brixton, 1985), Won’t Get Fooled Again (live Brixton, 1985)

CDs Sampled: Atco (USA), Eel Pie (Remastered-UK), Hip-O (USA)

Other Sampled: Classic (USA) Master Tape Reel, Master DAT Tape, DVD-A Disc

LP Comments: The Polydor (UK) and the Atco (USA) sounds perfect. The Classic (USA) is slightly different, but equally as good. The UMC (UK) is on the harsher side.

CD Comments: The Atco (USA) sounds great. The CD has a lower volume level (typical for the CDs of this time period), but this does not affect quality. The subsequent CDs are louder.

Summary: You can't go wrong with either Atco (USA) version, the Polydor (UK) LP or the Classic (USA) LP.

Track Listing: You Better You Bet, Girl In A Suitcase, Brooklyn Kids, Pinball Wizard, Football Fugue, Happy Jack, Substitute, Long Live Rock, Call Me Lightning, Holly Like Ivy, Begin The Beguine, Vicious Interlude, La La La Lies, Cat Snatch, Prelude # 556, Baroque Ippanese, Praying The Game, Driftin' Blues, Christmas, Pictures Of Lily, Don't Let Go Of The Coat, The Kids Are Alright, Prelude, The Right To Write, Never Ask Me, Ask Yourself, The Ferryman, The Shout

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Virgin (UK, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Greece (Test Pressing), Italy, New Zealand), Atlantic (USA, Canada), Specialty (USA - Test Pressing), UMC (UK)

CDs Sampled: Virgin (UK, Japan), Atlantic (USA), Hip-O (USA), SPV (Germany), Imperial (Japan), UMC (UK)

Other Sampled: Master Tapes (1988 Versions 1 & 2), HD Download (2016 UK)

Non-album Tracks: "Man Machines" (full version of the song. The album only uses part of it. This version can be found on the 7" of "A Friend Is A Friend" (USA & UK), the 12" of the same, Virgin (Austria) 5" "Friend is A Friend" CD single and the Virgin (UK) 3" CD single). A demo version of this song appears on "Scoop 3". "Real World" (Jazzy instrumental. Found on both 12" singles of "A Friend Is A Friend" or CD singles as described with "Man Machines"). A slightly different version <than above> appears on "Scoop 3". "Dig" (Demo version of the song. Complete version (see below) only available on the Virgin (UK) 3" CD single), "Penny Drop" (While not commercially released, this song appeared on the Timothy White radio show, along with part of the "Dig" demo. Promo copies of the interview were pressed on vinyl by DIR Broadcasting).

LP Comments: My experience with Warner/Atco/Atlantic (USA) LPs is that the sound and vinyl quality is generally as good or superior to its various European or Japanese counterparts. At the time I was very satisfied with the sound quality of this album and didn't look any further.

CD Comments: The Virgin (UK) sounds perfect. The Atlantic (USA) is slightly harsher sounding than its UK counterpart, distracting from the listening experience. The Virgin (Japan) pressing has slightly more bass, which gives it a "heavier feel". The Imperial (Japan) CD's vocal tracks are a bit too bright and the bonus tracks are recorded much louder. The bonus tracks on the Imperial (Japan) CD are available on a CD which was available from www.eelpie.com (Pete Townshend's former website). The 2006 CDs from USA (Hip-O) and Germany (SPV) have different bonus tracks, which include the demo version of "I Eat Heavy Metal".

Summary: This is a very clean, well-produced album. However, it could probably be helped by remixing and remastering to add a bit more "bottom-end" to it. All the versions of this album sound good, but a slight edge would go to the Virgin (Japan) version as the "extra bass" helps. The Hip-O (USA) sounds pretty decent and has some nice bonus tracks.

a) Restore it back to a "Pete Townshend solo album" by dubbing Pete's vocals over the "guest singer's" (See "1988 UK Master Tape (Version 1) above).

In the promo "A Friend Is A Friend" video (see VIDEO section), Pete talks about having to cut the album down to a single (it was originally intended as a double) and says, " ... if anyone shouts loud enough, I will send them the rest of the songs ... " OK PETE! I'M SHOUTING!!! `;-()

Regarding the bonus tracks on the 2006 Hip-O (USA) and SPV (Germany) CDs - "Dig" is the original version with Simon Townshend on lead vocal, "Man Machines" is the full, extended version that was included on 12" and CD single versions of "A Friend Is A Friend" and "I Eat Heavy Metal" (listed as "Heavy Metal" on the CD case) is the Pete Townshend demo version.

Track Listing: I Won't Run Anymore, Over The Top, Man Machines, Dig, A Friend Is A Friend, I Eat Heavy Metal, All Shall Be Well, Was There Life, Fast Food, A Fool Says, Fire, New Life/Reprise

Track Listing (2006 - Imperial Japan): I Won't Run Anymore, Over The Top, Man Machines, Dig, A Friend Is A Friend, I Eat Heavy Metal, All Shall Be Well, Was There Life, Fast Food, A Fool Says, Fire, New Life/Reprise, A Friend Is A Friend (live Fillmore West, 1996), All Shall Be Well (live Fillmore West, 1996)

Track Listing (2006 - Hip-O USA, SPV Germany): I Won't Run Anymore, Over The Top, Man Machines, Dig, A Friend Is A Friend, I Eat Heavy Metal, All Shall Be Well, Was There Life, Fast Food, A Fool Says, Fire, New Life/Reprise, Dig (Simon Townshend Vocals), Man Machines (Long Version), I Eat Heavy Metal (demo)

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