Post by Pete70s on Sept 28, 2007 22:33:44 GMT -5
I thought of debuting this at the Click party, but since I have some late-night time on the computer after Dani and the kids have gone to bed, and since I got a "request" of sorts from Ken, I figured "why not now?"
This is similar to Dawn's recent thread of "favorite songs that weren't hits" (which I WILL respond to), and also to JimGriffey's "Beyond The Singles".
Here's the gist of it: I'll pick a band/artist, then list and discuss a few of my favorite ALBUM cuts by said artist. No hits, I'm even going to avoid radio hits, just album cuts and MAYBE a b-side or two. What I want you to do is discuss YOUR favorites, if you have any.
So, the inaugural artist will be The Who:
"Music Must Change" ("Who Are You", 1978)
Aside from the killer title cut, the "Who Are You" album had a lot of filler and wasn't among their best work. But it did have a couple of good tunes, such as "Sister Disco", "Trick Of The Light", and this tune, a slow, moody track in 6/8 time that Moon couldn't handle. The percussion track was the sound of Pete's shoes pacing the studio floor. The lyric is typical Townshend cynicism, which Roger belts out in his finest voice. Worth checking out!
"I Can't Reach You" ("The Who Sell Out" 1967)
I just listened to this track. We've discussed it here on the click site. It's an AMAZING slice of power-pop. One drawback: The version on the re-mastered "Sell Out" CD has the vocal track remixed and just doesn't have the same bite as the version on the original CD. So I had to keep the original CD for that reason.
"Pure And Easy" ("Odds & Sods" 1974)
Hard to believe, but one of the best songs Pete had written for the ill-fated "Lifehouse" project didn't make what eventually became "Who's Next". Too bad, as it would have made a really nice fit.
"Dreaming From The Waist" ("The Who By Numbers" 1975)
This album was pretty much their "Presence", or "Animals", in that it was a "fan's album", not one the general public could easily appreciate. The insipid "Squeeze Box" was the hit, but the rest of the album was NOTHING like it. "Dreaming From The Waist" is the 70's Who in fine, rocking form, with excellent guitar leads from Pete and gut-wrenching vocals from Roger. Other standout cuts from that album include "They Are All In Love" ("..........in :PPPPPPP Magazines"), and "How Many Friends"
"A Quick One While He's Away" ("A Quick One" (Happy Jack) 1967)
Townshend's first attempt at a "rock opera" came on the band's second album. This 11 minute epic tells the story of a young woman who pines away for her soldier to come home. Being one day late for his expected arrival, she runs into "Iver the Engine Driver", and he sweet talks her into having a "quickie" with him. Her lover finally returns home, she admits the affair to him, and he forgives her. According to Pete (Townshend, not me), the moral is 1) "You can't trust women" and 2) "You can't trust old men"
"Why Did I Fall For That" ("It's Hard" 1982)
"It's Hard" is, without a doubt, the most overlooked gem in their catalog. Other than "Emminence Front", the album isn't very well remembered. A shame, as I really think it's their strongest and most solid effort since "Who's Next". And on that overlooked gem, is THIS overlooked gem! I love the line "Maybe if we smile the clock will fade away..."
"Amazing Journey/Sparks" ("Tommy", 1969)
"Tommy" was their transition album. There were still elements of the old Who sound (mostly Daltrey's voice), but they were clearly leaning in a bigger, more aggressive sound. The sweet voice that Roger used on tracks like this would soon be gone............
"The Song Is Over" ("Who's Next", 1971)
.................to be replaced by a powerful wail that could rip paint off walls! But what can I say about "Who's Next" that hasn't been said already?
"The Dirty Jobs" ("Quadrophenia", 1973)
Some say "Quadrophenia" was over-indulgence. I say, if the material is good, and it works, then go with it! That's what Pete did, and made a classic album with a great story. Even though most American's didn't understand anything about Mod culture, the story is still relatable, and much more realistic than "Tommy".
So let's hear some of YOUR faveorite Who album cuts!
and BTW- "Contender" will return for a third season, at the Click Homecoming Weekend!
This is similar to Dawn's recent thread of "favorite songs that weren't hits" (which I WILL respond to), and also to JimGriffey's "Beyond The Singles".
Here's the gist of it: I'll pick a band/artist, then list and discuss a few of my favorite ALBUM cuts by said artist. No hits, I'm even going to avoid radio hits, just album cuts and MAYBE a b-side or two. What I want you to do is discuss YOUR favorites, if you have any.
So, the inaugural artist will be The Who:
"Music Must Change" ("Who Are You", 1978)
Aside from the killer title cut, the "Who Are You" album had a lot of filler and wasn't among their best work. But it did have a couple of good tunes, such as "Sister Disco", "Trick Of The Light", and this tune, a slow, moody track in 6/8 time that Moon couldn't handle. The percussion track was the sound of Pete's shoes pacing the studio floor. The lyric is typical Townshend cynicism, which Roger belts out in his finest voice. Worth checking out!
"I Can't Reach You" ("The Who Sell Out" 1967)
I just listened to this track. We've discussed it here on the click site. It's an AMAZING slice of power-pop. One drawback: The version on the re-mastered "Sell Out" CD has the vocal track remixed and just doesn't have the same bite as the version on the original CD. So I had to keep the original CD for that reason.
"Pure And Easy" ("Odds & Sods" 1974)
Hard to believe, but one of the best songs Pete had written for the ill-fated "Lifehouse" project didn't make what eventually became "Who's Next". Too bad, as it would have made a really nice fit.
"Dreaming From The Waist" ("The Who By Numbers" 1975)
This album was pretty much their "Presence", or "Animals", in that it was a "fan's album", not one the general public could easily appreciate. The insipid "Squeeze Box" was the hit, but the rest of the album was NOTHING like it. "Dreaming From The Waist" is the 70's Who in fine, rocking form, with excellent guitar leads from Pete and gut-wrenching vocals from Roger. Other standout cuts from that album include "They Are All In Love" ("..........in :PPPPPPP Magazines"), and "How Many Friends"
"A Quick One While He's Away" ("A Quick One" (Happy Jack) 1967)
Townshend's first attempt at a "rock opera" came on the band's second album. This 11 minute epic tells the story of a young woman who pines away for her soldier to come home. Being one day late for his expected arrival, she runs into "Iver the Engine Driver", and he sweet talks her into having a "quickie" with him. Her lover finally returns home, she admits the affair to him, and he forgives her. According to Pete (Townshend, not me), the moral is 1) "You can't trust women" and 2) "You can't trust old men"
"Why Did I Fall For That" ("It's Hard" 1982)
"It's Hard" is, without a doubt, the most overlooked gem in their catalog. Other than "Emminence Front", the album isn't very well remembered. A shame, as I really think it's their strongest and most solid effort since "Who's Next". And on that overlooked gem, is THIS overlooked gem! I love the line "Maybe if we smile the clock will fade away..."
"Amazing Journey/Sparks" ("Tommy", 1969)
"Tommy" was their transition album. There were still elements of the old Who sound (mostly Daltrey's voice), but they were clearly leaning in a bigger, more aggressive sound. The sweet voice that Roger used on tracks like this would soon be gone............
"The Song Is Over" ("Who's Next", 1971)
.................to be replaced by a powerful wail that could rip paint off walls! But what can I say about "Who's Next" that hasn't been said already?
"The Dirty Jobs" ("Quadrophenia", 1973)
Some say "Quadrophenia" was over-indulgence. I say, if the material is good, and it works, then go with it! That's what Pete did, and made a classic album with a great story. Even though most American's didn't understand anything about Mod culture, the story is still relatable, and much more realistic than "Tommy".
So let's hear some of YOUR faveorite Who album cuts!
and BTW- "Contender" will return for a third season, at the Click Homecoming Weekend!
