The Who Album: “Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who”

For a band that only produced 11 studio albums from 1965-2006, it is simply mind-boggling how many compilations of the Who's music there are. I can think of more than 11 just off the top of my head (and that does not include all of the live discs that are or have been available over the years).

The sound quality on this exclusive Best Buy compilation (a direct tie-in to the documentary of the same name) is very, very good. However, the quality isn't any better than other recent re-mastered collections (such as Then and Now [2004], The Ultimate Collections [2002], 20th Century Masters [1999], My Generation - The Very Best of The Who [1996], etc.). The song selection is interesting but by no means outstanding. There's nothing here that is unique or obscure. The only thing that makes this compilation different is that it is the first one (so far) to cover the band's entire career up to and including Endless Wire [2006]. The collection also includes Real Good Looking Boy, a tip of the hat to Elvis and Can't Help Falling In Love With You, from the Then and Now compilation.

If you love The Who, you will love this disc. However, if you love The Who, chances are you already have all of these songs in one form or another. In fact, die-hard fans and completists probably have each song in their collections multiple times.

If you are not currently a big Who fan and are looking for an introduction to the group's career, this is not a bad place to start and the price is right (I bought my copy at Best Buy for just $[...] - it is also available at [...]).

In summary, this is a fine disc but does not cover any new ground (unless of course you missed the two new songs [Real Good Looking Boy and Old Red Wine] from the Then and Now compilation). The related documentary is a must-see and the DVD edition is essential to any Who collection (I strongly recommend the 3-Disc special edition that is also exclusively available from Best Buy). You can, however, feel free to skip this superfluous collection - you won't be missing anything!

The Who has a new documentary out now, called 'Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who.' While 'The Kids Are Alright' was great, I thought that this film would be even better, because it documents all of their years as a band, whereas 'Kids' stops at 1980, when Keith Moon died.

This set is the soundtrack to the new documentary. The soundtrack is a career spanner, starting out in 1964 with the rarity 'Leaving Here,' which originally appeared on the import rarities compilation 'Who's Missing.'

The rest contains best-of standards. 'My Generation,' 'Summertime Blues,' 'Baba O'Riley,' 'Won't Get Fooled Again (live)' and everything else.

There is a TON missing, though. Where is 'Love Reign O'er Me,' 'Slip Kid' and 'Tommy Can You Hear Me?,' and the huge radio hit 'You Better You Bet'? How disappointing.

Overall, if you saw the film, and you want the music from the film, than get this. It's a good soundtrack, but for casual Who fans, stick with 'Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy,' 'Who's Better Who's Best,' or better yet, 'The Ultimate Collection' and just ignore this.

Recommended for people who saw the film.

This is a useless CD tie-in designed to cash in on an outstanding DVD release. At least a third of the material on this collection is truly sub-standard - Sea And Sand, Eminence Front, Real Good Looking Boy, Tea And Theatre. These are tracks that weren't the least bit interesting the first time they were released. There are far better collections by The Who. There is really nothing to recommend this disc.