The Who Album: “Who's Next [Deluxe Edition]”

Once again, MCA re-releases "Who's Next", and once again, MCA misses the opportunity to finally put out the 'definitive' "Who's Next" compilation.

Much like the 1995 re-release, the 'bonus tracks' are a major disappointment to say the least. The accompanying booklet goes into great depth discussing the additional songs recorded during the 'Lifehouse Sessions' that were omitted, so then why aren't any of them included here? Where's "Let's See Action", "Join Together", "Put The Money Down", "Time Is Passing", "Too Much Of Anything", and the definitive take of "Pure And Easy" (from the obscure 'Odds and Sods')?

Instead the consumer is treated to mostly redundant 'alternate take' versions of songs already included on "Who's Next". They might be interesting to hear once or twice, but the 'bonus track' space would have been much better served by including the titles listed above...and would have once and for all reconstructed "Who's Next" close to the original "Lifehouse" as was originally designed.

However, if you're a fan of The Who "Live At Leeds" and "Live At The Isle Of Wight", the second disk is a real treat. The sound quality is excellent, The Who play great, and you get rare 'live' renditions of songs from "Who's Next" that don't show up anywhere else. Disk 2 is reason enough to purchase this set.

Who knows (no pun intended), perhaps there will be yet another re-release of this classic album. And maybe next time it will include the missing 'Lifehouse' songs. For now, disk 2 will have to do as compensation. lr**

June 22, 2003

This is the second time "Who's Next" has been remastered. It is interesting to note that this is the first time the original masters have used in the process. The sound is excellent. However, the underlaying question remains what exactly is the purpose of the 2 cd version of this set. While it is great to have commercially available versions of these alternate takes and live recordings it seems the package could have been reissued more cohesively. For example the single disk remaster of "Who's Next" contains tracks like "I Don't Even Know Myself" and "Too Much Of Anything" as bonus tracks. If the purpose of the studio disk is to give the listener an approximation of what the original "Lifehouse" project was meant to be why not add a second studio disk. The second disk could contain these songs plus released studio versions of "Pure And Easy", "Naked Eye", "Water" along with studio versions of "Join Together", "Let's See Action", "Relay", "Put The Money Down" and "Time Is Passing" from the "Lifehouse" recordings. This would have given long time fans like myself a more reasonable approximation of the "Lifehouse" project.

The live disk also presents a problem because a number of songs were deleted due to time constraints. A great cover of "Bony Moronie" from the 4 cd box set is omitted along with tracks like "Pinball Wizard", "See Me, Feel Me" and an energetic version of "Baby Don't You Do It" which are available on bootleg copies of this concert. The live concert at the Young Vic could have been issued in its complete form as a separate 2 disk set. I get the feeling that approximations of the "Lifehouse" project will be issued as many times as Jimi Hendrix' last album. A problem finally rectified with the release of "First Rays Of The New Rising Sun".

Even though I would have configured the set differently, it still contains enough essential music to warrant the purchase. "Who's Next" is one of the best rock albums period. Tracks like "Baba O'Riley" "Bargain", "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" are still used on televsion, movies, and radio to this day. One of my favorites is John Entwistle's wry "My Wife". The alternate takes especially "Won't Get Fooled Again" provide an interesting veiw of Townshend's creative process. Some tracks like the great cover "Baby Don't You Do It" and "Love Ain't For Keeping" feature ace guitarist Leslie West from Mountain. The second disk features the live debuts of many songs from the "Who's Next" album and associated songs from the "Lifehouse" project. Tracks range from the more tentative "Too Much Of Anything" and "Bargain" to more energetic versions of "Roadrunner" and the underrated "Naked Eye". While this reissue is a good addition my collection of the Who, I feel it could still have been improved upon.

With the arrival of "Who's Next: The Deluxe Edition", it is almost shocking to learn that every previous CD edition of the Who's creative nadir has been taken from several-generations-removed mixdown tapes. After a discerning headphone session, it is apparent that the master tapes have suffered a little degeneration over the years (not unusual for a 32-year old magnetic oxide product). "Baba O'Reilly" is the most noticeable victim, with some subtle wow and flutter and even one very obvious tape "stretch". The majestic "Song Is Over" actually suffers a bit of oversaturated distortion. On the plus side, "Love Ain't For Keepin" has never sounded so dynamic, with Pete Towmshends's acoustic guitar sounding crisper than ever, and "Bargain" reveals new depth and power. On every track you will hear a fuller dynamic range on Keith Moon's drums as well as more delineation between Townshend's synthesizer and John Entwistle's bass. Curiously, Roger Daltrey's vocal mix (not his powerful performance itself, mind you, which still astounds) actually sounds a bit trebly and "thin", like it wasn't properly equalized. However, these are fussy audiophile quibbles only, overall the "Deluxe Edition" lives up to its hype and "Who's Next" truly sounds "better than ever". The bonus studio tracks are interesting, and the 2nd disc delivers in spades with its (mostly) previously unreleased live perfomances of the group's now-mythic "Lifehouse" project. A winner!

If any album ever deserved a Deluxe Edition, "Who's Next" is it. I would put very few ahead of it in a list of the greatest rock albums in history. Just about every song is a classic. Some deluxe editions like this tend to have complete track-for-track alternate versions. This expanded Who's Next" has a few alternate takes, but the primary bonus is an entire concert from that era, "Live At The Vic," from April 1971 (all previously unissued except 2 cuts). It's a good recording and the band is in excellent form throughout the 14 songs.

The many pleasures offered by the original album are still present -- Townshend's stratospheric electric guitar lines, Daltrey's impassioned vocals, Entwistle's booming, sinewy bass, and Moon's unrestrained drum bashing. Plus those magnificent tunes! For those who enjoy the brief sonic blast of "Won't Get Fooled Again" that plays with the opening credits of "C.S.I Miami," you really ought to hear the whole thing.

Who's Next" U.S. release 8/14/71- U.K. release- 8/25/71. "I do have the 1995 remastered edition of "Who's Next". I wanted to own a copy of the "Yong Vic" concert so I decided to get this deluxe edition. I believe this deluxe edition is remastered from the original "Who's Next master tapes. I hear other people tell me different stories but either way this deluxe edition is a joy to hear as the remastering is exceptional. I had to get this edition once I knew "The Young Vic" concert performed on 4/26/71 was to be on disc two. I like the fact that The Who played this concert four months before the release of of their masterpiece "Who's Next", playing five of the songs that would be on that lp. The Vic concert does sound a little sloppy and amazingly enlighting but really a great historic live rock recording and makes this deluxe edition a well worth buy. I get a real kick out of hearing "Won't Get Fooled Again" before it was actually released world wide, along with the other four "Who's Next" future releases. Cd one has the New York Record Plant Sessions on tracks 10 to 15 and are a really interesting listen as I always wanted to hear these New York versions before they were originally rejected for the albums final release. The linear notes have been updated since the 1995 edition. Fm radio has played most of the "Who's Next" song list out, but not enough to over play this masterpiece. This cd delux edition makes "Who's Next" sound brilliantly fresh and new. If you dont want to go for the extra money for this deluxe edition, just stick to the 1995 single remastered cd, either way you wont be dissapointed...........