The Who Album: “My Generation [Deluxe Edition]”

First, I really do appreciate the effort that has gone into improving the Who's catalog for the CD age. The Rolling Stones have finally followed suit...Capital/EMI, when are you going to get it together?

Unfortunately, this is a flawed release for several reasons. I don't think it was a mistake to remix from the original 3-tracks, but it was a mistake not to include a first-rate remaster of the original mono album. With 160 minutes of available time on a double CD, it is simply inexplicable, and a darn shame.

Also, the entire catalog is now remastered, but we still don't have a wonderfully remastered orginal version of Anyhow, Anytime, Anywhere or Substitute, or, for that matter, the second version of Circles, Pictures of Lily, or the stereo version of Magic Bus (not to mention the much longer version). These are not the only omissions, but certainly the biggest.

So, on the one hand, kudos to MCA for at least making the effort to present the Who in the best sound possible; on the other hand, shame on MCA for charging for a double CD while ommitting essential early material and ommitting the original mono album entirely.

This remastered album is the same as the dlx version except all tracks are on 1 disc, which is handy. However, the disc has only 1 layer and it's sacd. So you can't play it in non-sacd players (car stereo, discman, etc.) Remastering job is great though. Deep, rich sound!

Here's yet another incomplete, rehash of The Who's back catalog in the guise of the new "Deluxe Edition" series. The fact is that there is nothing new here at all except alternate version of a few tracks. As others have stated, the dynamic range has been expanded but the mixes are incomplete. Gone are Daltrey's vocal and various instrumental overdubs. Also missing are the other songs recorded at the same time like "Just You And Me Darling".

Still gone from the current catalog are: "Goin' Down", "Dogs", "Dogs, Part 2", "Waspman", "Here 'Tis", "Here For More", "Zoot Suit", "Under My Thumb", "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde", "When I Was A Boy", etc. After waiting so long for this reissue, this is a big letdown.

MCA should stop procrastinating and release a complete boxed set of The Who's studio recordings. They should also release entire concerts from 1973 (Quadrophenia tour) and 1982 (It's Hard tour).

[DW]

Finally a 2 cd set was released which remastered the first Who lp "My Generation". However, this set is a mixed bag. The version of "La-La-La Lies" has some kind of weird edit and the guitar break in "My Generation" has gone AWOL! The mono version at the end of the second disk is a better version. The deluxe edition illustrates that the band was much more R&B based than many people remember prior to their rock opera days. There are a number of cover tunes included in the set and these are a mixed bag. Versions of "Please, Please, Please" and "I'm A Man" can't hold a candle cover material of this vein by the Yardbirds, Stones, or Animals. However, the covers of "Daddy Rolling Stones" and "Leaving Here" are much better. Listen to the alternate version of "Leaving Here" on the second disk to find out why Keith Moon was one the best rock and roll drummers. The mix on his drums is one of the best aspects of the set. The set includes such hits as "I Can't Explain", "My Generation", and "The Kids Are Alright" as well as an alternate version of "Anyhow, Anywhere, Anyway". Included are some other forgotten classics like "A Legal Matter", "The Good's Gone" (also included in an extended version), "It's Not True" and "Circles". "The Ox" is a spotlight for the recently passed bassist John Entwistle. The other member of one of rock's great rhythm sections is also spotlighted on the set. My Generation deluxe edition also contains one of the worst tracks the Who ever recorded "Bald Headed Woman" with Jimmy Page on guitar. Some of the additional material on the set has appeared on the "Who's Missing" and "Two's Missing" lps. Another drawback is that the set is rather pricey considering neither disk is over 50 minutes. The liner notes and photos are excellent. It is a shame about the problems on the first disk or I would have given the set a better review. Buy at your own risk!

I know that a lot of people have waited a long time for a proper CD reissue of The Who's first album. Well, maybe this fits the bill but it could have been better.

First, I have no problem with the disc being mixed in stereo. For the most part, the sound is very good. The problem is that several of the tracks sound different from the original mono mix that everyone is familiar with. Overdubs are gone and there's the problem with a part of the vocal from "La La La Lies" that isn't there at all. It's like a big hole right in the middle of the song.

I guess that I'm wondering, considering the differences and relative incompleteness of the stereo mix, why they couldn't have given us the complete album in both mono and stereo. I mean, this is a two disc set, afterall. They could have fit both mixes on disc 1 and still had disc 2 for all of the extras.

This album is one of my all-time favroites. And this reissue is certainly better than what's been legitimately available up to now. But why go to the trouble of issuing Deluxe Edition and not make it definitive?