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The Who - The Who Live At The Oval 1971:

USA - 2025 UMC HD Download	USA - 2025 UMC CD
Canada - 2025 UMC LP 180 gram black vinyl

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Album: The Who Live At The Oval 1971

LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Canada (UMC)

CDs/Blu Ray Sampled: USA (UMC)

HD Download Sampled: USA (UMC)

HD Download Comments: Clean, crisp and articulate. Please note the mastering is "brickwalled" (used appropriately to bring up the overall loudness of a track and help give some “oomf” that provides more intensity and impact. It can also add unwanted distortion and lessen the impact of transients in a mix – if used incorrectly.) The brickwalling <here> doesn't seem to affect the sound quality, but looks horrible when importing the music into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). 

CD Comments: The CD appears to sound identical to the HD version, just 16/44 vs. 24/96. Brickwalled, but sounds decent enough.

LP Comments: Apparently there are (2) two different LP pressings: Canada, for the North American market and Czech Republic for the rest of the world. I point this out because in 2019, Roger Daltrey's Tommy Orchestral had a material sound quality difference between its pressings and the same may possibly be true here. I point this out because the (Canada) LP sounds hollow and sterile compared to the CD and HD versions. The sound reminded me of the 2000 BBC Sessions CD as if sound was "carved out". It was clean, but clearly something missing and did not sound as good as the HD Download or CD versions. Perhaps the Czech Republic version will sound different/better?

Other Comments: After lots of hype and waiting, I'm a bit disappointed. The performances sound "slow" (as if the tapes have been slowed down) through the opening of the concert. The lead vocals are a little low in the mix and the backing vocals, very low in the mix. The drums don't sound robust. All that being said, to be fair (which this may or may not be), I need to spend more time with this music as this is my first, initial reaction. Also, please note that when it comes to sound quality, I'm the toughest critic. If it's "OK", by me, you will probably love it.

In one of the "sillier" forums (Hoffman), there are a bunch of alleged "fans" who claim they "...were not buying the album due to the artwork." Yes... It's all a matter of "taste" (personally, I think the artwork is great and if you want to criticize artwork, have you seen Live At The Fillmore East 1968 ?) This is just another invalid excuse (each and every one of their excuses are comical) to avoid paying for a new Who release by a bunch of underperforming nincompoops... These same people seem to hate to reach into their pocket to buy the music they like to discuss 24/7. Before any album is released, they moan and grown about all the reasons they aren't going to spend the money to buy the album. Life is too short. Who can afford to waste their time listening to some fool complaining about something that hasn't even been released (at the time) and trying to convince others why they refuse to spend $15? Grow up people! :)

Summary: For me, it's the HD Download. I still have the Japan CD on the way and hope to snag some other pressings soon. However, below are many sound samples that you can listen to and draw your own conclusions.  

Track Listing: So Glad To See Ya,  Summertime Blues, My Wife, Love Ain’t For Keeping, I Can’t Explain, Substitute, Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Baby Don’t You Do It, Pinball Wizard, See Me, Feel Me / Listening To You, My Generation, Naked Eye, Magic Bus  

Listen for yourself! (Note: Additional Sound Samples Will Be Added As Time Allows - Check Back For Updates) Below are 30 second WAV samples from the album titles as described above. From HD Download (24/96): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From CD (USA): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus From CD (Japan): n/a From LP (Canada): Summertime Blues   My Wife   Bargain   Baby Don't You Do It   Naked Eye   Magic Bus Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with.

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