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| Who Albums |
The Who | Tommy - Page 2:
Album: Tommy, Tommy Deluxe Edition (2003/2004), Tommy Deluxe Edition (2013), Tommy Super Deluxe Edition (2013
LPs (vinyl) Sampled: Polydor (UK), Decca (USA), MCA (USA), Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Japan)
CDs (original mix) Sampled: Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Japan), MCA-2 disc 1st pressing (USA), MCA-single disc 2nd pressing (USA), MFSL-gold (USA - Ultradisc I & II), Polydor (UK) [2013 Remastered]
CDs (remix) Sampled: MCA (USA), Polydor (Germany), Polydor (Japan)
CDs (Deluxe Edition (2003/2004)) Sampled: Geffen (USA), Polydor (UK)
CDs (Deluxe Edition (2013)) Sampled: Polydor (UK)
CDs (Super Deluxe Edition (2013)) Sampled: Polydor (Germany)
LP Comments: The Decca (USA) sounds far better than any of the others (more dynamic, better sound quality), but it is very difficult, if not impossible to find a copy that hasn't been played to death. After the Decca, they go downhill, with the German being slightly better than the UK and the Japanese copy sounds dull and lifeless. Note: It is very difficult to find original Decca LP copies in excellent condition. They've all been played endlessly.
CD (original mix) Comments: None of these sound very good. However, the best one, is the single disc MCA (USA), which was their most recent attempt to improve the album, before it was remixed.
Note: MCA went through several disc revisions prior to the remixed version. (1) The original 2CD version. (2) The 2CD "New Master" version, denoted by "NM" on the disc face. (3) The single disc version (as preferred above).
CD (remix) Comments: Both the MCA (USA) and Polydor (Germany) sound identical. However, the Polydor (Japan) has something "extra" which makes it sound better than either.CD (Deluxe Edition (2003/2004) Comments: Note #1: This CD is offered as a "hybrid". It has standard CD tracks (which will play on any CD player) as well as SACD tracks (which you need a special player for). Both the Geffen (USA) and Polydor (UK) sound identical. Note #2: The "Deluxe" version is also offered as a DVD-A. This format will play 5.1 on a standard DVD (video player), but also has enhanced sound for the DVD-A (Audio) format.
The <standard CD> source for "Tommy" on disc 1 is from the original stereo master tapes (i.e. the original mix). The CD sounds very good. If you prefer the original mix - this is probably the best of all original mix CD versions. Disc 2 (bonus material) is remixed from the multitracks. This material also sounds very good. There are also several of Pete's "Tommy" demos as bonus material. These sound good too, but are mastered a little louder than the rest of the CD.
The SACD (5.1) tracks are completely remixed and different than the 1996 remix or the original, 1969 mix. This new mix puts an added emphasis on the drums and bass. After listening to these new mixes on a 5.1 system, and then <the same mix> collapsed to 2.0 (stereo), I feel I've learned a lot about mixing.
The 5.1 version of "Tommy" is very interesting. While it doesn't sound like the band is in the room with you, the instruments and vocals are much more spatial and you can hear everything more distinctly. Parts that may have been or seemed buried in the past, now pop out at you. Adding to that, there are changes in the mix, which just are very cool effects and nice touches. An example of that, is during the fade of "Tommy Can You Hear Me?", the instruments begin to fade and Roger's vocals take over the center speaker.
After much ado, I was able to "convert" the new, 5.1 mix to a 2.0 (stereo) mix. Since I spend more of my listening time in the car, I wanted to have this new mix on CD.
Noticeably absent from the 5.1 mix and carried through to the 2.0 is the ambiance of the original and 1996 remixed versions. The music is missing that little bit of echo, reverb or whatever was originally used. This takes a little getting used to. Further listening I felt that this mix was a bit murky. About 3/4s of the way through, I realized why - the extra emphasis on the bass and drums, drowned out the guitar! While the guitar is very prominent on the 5.1, it is mostly buried here (No wonder the murky feeling!). This is where the "education" about mixing comes about. Many times fans wonder, "Oh, why don't they just do this, or just do that?" The answer is, when you start changing the mix radically, you might not like the results!
While playing "Fiddle About", I noticed ~.5 - ~1 second gap (blank space) towards the end of the song. Don't know if this was only on my disc, a manufacturing defect or ???
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Compare for yourself! Below are 30 second WAV samples of "The Acid Queen" from the various pressings of "Tommy" as described above. 1969 UK LP 1969 USA LP 1983 Germany CD 1984 USA CD 1988 USA CD 1990 USA CD (MFSL) 1993 USA CD 1996 USA CD (Remix) 1996 Germany/UK CD (Remix) 1996 Japan CD (Remix) 2003 USA CD (Deluxe Edition) 2004 USA DVDA (Deluxe Edition) 5.1-2.0 16 Bit Note: Sound comparisons are only as good as your ears and the equipment you are listening to the music with. |
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Summary: If you prefer the original mix, then the
<2013> "Deluxe Edition" (disc
1) is for you. It's the best sounding of the original mix versions.
For everyday listening,
I prefer the 1996 remix. I think it is much more dynamic and vibrant than the original
mix. All of the <1996> remixed versions sound great! However, the Polydor (Japan) is
superior.
If you want to "immerse" yourself in "Tommy", the 5.1 mix will do the trick...
(Note: I have not listened to the 2013 5.1 mix at this time)
Other Comments: Somewhere after the original release, UK copies from
had a completely different vocal track on "Eyesight To The Blind". I've read
before that this occurred when Polydor changed printers from Ernest J. Day &
Co., to Howard's Printers (Slough), Ltd. However, since I have a copy with the
alternate vocal on the original printer -- I guess that's not true. Before it went
out of print in the 80's, they changed the vocal back to the original. The same
<alternate> vocal track can be found on the MFSL <gold> CD and the bonus
disc on the 2004 Japan pressing of Then & Now.
Note: Fans sometimes shell out for the MFSL CDs. There is
supposed to be a difference between Ultradisc I (original) and Ultradisc II. I
extensively compared them and they were sonically identical to each other.
There are different bonus tracks on the various versions (2003/2004 & 2013) of "Deluxe Edition" (noted & comments below)
- Please look carefully so you know which is the version you actually want.
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About: Tommy |
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About: Tommy (Deluxe
Edition) (2003/2004) |
| About: Tommy (Super Deluxe
Edition) In 2013, 3 "new" versions of "Tommy" were released: * A single CD version with the original mix, but new mastering. * A "Deluxe Edition", 2 CD version (which is different than the 2003/2004 "Deluxe Edition") * A "Super Deluxe Edition, which has 3 CDs and 1 blue ray 5.1 mix DVD Confused? (See track listings below for clarification as to which version has which tracks, etc...) Since the above 3 variations are a "subset" of the "Super Deluxe Edition", I'll focus on the content of that and hopefully all of this will make some sense... Disc 1: "Tommy" (original studio album, 1969 mix). I prefer the remix to the original mix - to me, it's more 3D - more separation of the instruments, more drums, more "Tommy" overall. However, if you prefer the original mix (some people prefer it because it's "original" - others prefer it Disc 2: "Tommy" (Pete Townshend Demos & Extras). The sound of the demos on this disc is STUNNING. Not only does it sound much better than the "bootleg" versions of the same, there are all kinds of nuances that I've never heard before - great stuff! Newly added is "The Hawker" - Pete's demo of "Eyesight To The Blind" - LOVE it. Wow! "Christmas" seems to be yet another mix variation than anything I've heard before. It sounds closer to the one on the various bootlegs The outtakes on this disc are: "Trying To Get Through" (which you might recognize from the 2003/2004 "Deluxe Edition") and lastly... the correct "Young Man Blues" (from The House That Track Built). Note: This is the 4th attempt to release this version of the song: 1) Odds & Sods (1998) - a slower, R&B style take from the same session 2) "Tommy Deluxe Edition" (2003/2004) - the same take, but remixed (5.1 & 2.0) from the multi-tracks 3) Odds & Sods (2011 - Japan Only CD) - another take from the same session 4) "Tommy Super Deluxe Edition" (2013) - the correct, original version as released in 1970 Disc 3: A newly mixed, 5.1 Blu Ray "Tommy". I'm not a big fan of 5.1 music mixes - to me, they are more of a "one time listen", novelty. Haven't heard this yet. Not sure when/if I will... Disc 4: Live "Tommy" 1969/76... I think most folks will like this. The ultra-live fans won't like the transition between 69->76 (where "Tommy" meets the Tommy Soundtrack). I can say with certainty that the folks involved (who produced this album) tried desperately to find a 1969 "finale" - but unfortunately the right quality tapes were *not* available. Unlike "Live At Leeds" - the 1969 recordings are not a "soundboard mix". Most of the 1969 shows were recorded with 2 microphones on stage (left and right channel). This style is what I would call a "professional audience recording". Personally, I'm not a fan of the 2 mic stage mix. There is too much picked up by these mic's - which would normally be balanced (and perhaps filtered) out via a typical board mix. Personally, I'm pretty content with "Tommy" Live At Leeds. Some folks like and appreciate every type, style and variation of live recordings (this is more for them and I'm sure they will enjoy it.) One day I would love to see The Who's Woodstock performance released (in a "Leeds" mix). I think that would be a great addition to The Who's catlogue. The "Super Deluxe Edition" box also comes with a nice book & poster and a new 5.1 mix of "Tommy". |
Track Listing: Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, Cousin Kevin, The Acid Queen, Underture, Do You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It
Track Listing (Brazil single LP version): Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Eyesight To The Blind, The Acid Queen, Do You Think It's Alright?, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It
Track Listing (Deluxe Edition (2003/2004):
Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks,
Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, Cousin Kevin, The Acid Queen, Underture, Do
You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To
The Mirror, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure,
Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It,
See Me, Feel Me
Bonus tracks: I Was,
Christmas (Out-take) [Instrumental],
Cousin Kevin Model Child [Different mix from "Odds
& Sods"], Young Man Blues (Version 1)
["The House That Track Built" version, remixed],
Tommy Can You Hear Me? (alternate version)
[Instrumental], Trying To Get Through, Sally
Simpson (Out takes), Miss Simpson [Actually an
alternate version of "Sally Simpson"], Welcome
(take 2) [Instrumental],
Tommy's Holiday Camp (Band's version)
[Instrumental], We're Not Gonna Take It (alternate
version) [Who version, performed like the Pete
Townshend demo version], Dogs Part 2, It's A Boy
[Pete Townshend Demo], Amazing Journey
[Pete Townshend Demo],
Christmas [Pete Townshend Demo - "Another Scoop" version],
Do You Think It's Alright? [Pete Townshend
Demo], Pinball Wizard
[Pete Townshend Demo]
Track Listing (Deluxe Edition (2013):
Disc 1: (Remastered Original Mix Album)
Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks,
Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, Cousin Kevin, The Acid Queen, Underture, Do
You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To
The Mirror, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure,
Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It,
See Me, Feel Me
Disc 2: (Live "Bootleg" Album)
Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks,
Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Do You Think
It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, There's A Doctor, Go To
The Mirror, Smash The Mirror, Miracle Cure,
Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It,
See Me, Feel Me
Track Listing (Super Deluxe Edition):
Disc 1: (Remastered Original Mix Album) Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, Cousin Kevin, The Acid Queen, Underture, Do You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It, See Me, Feel Me
Disc 2: (Pete Townshend Demos & Extras) Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Dream One, Sparks, The Hawker, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Underture (Dream Two), Do You Think It's Alright?, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Success, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, We're Not Gonna Take It, See Me, Feel Me, Trying To Get Through, Young Man Blues
Disc 3: (Blu Ray 5.1 Mix) Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, Cousin Kevin, The Acid Queen, Underture, Do You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Pinball Wizard, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, Smash The Mirror, Sensation, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It, See Me, Feel Me
Disc 4: (Live "Bootleg" Album) Overture, It's A Boy, 1921, Amazing Journey, Sparks, Eyesight To The Blind, Christmas, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Do You Think It's Alright?, Fiddle About, Tommy Can You Hear Me?, There's A Doctor, Go To The Mirror, Smash The Mirror, Miracle Cure, Sally Simpson, I'm Free, Welcome, Tommy's Holiday Camp, We're Not Gonna Take It, See Me, Feel Me
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