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This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
The definitive rock opera, TOMMY liberated the Who from a "singles band" stigma, marking them as a substantial artistic force. Composer Pete Townshend had flirted with the conceptual format on two previous releases, but here his vision is spread over two ambitious records that play to the Who's main strengths. Anthems such as the raucous "Pinball Wizard" and the surprisingly serene "I'm Free" emphasize the kinetic power of the band, while Townshend's cast of characters (the perverted Uncle Ernie, the inscrutable Tommy) reveals a wild and unconventional imagination. Townshend even incorporates Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the Blind" as part of his fable about the "deaf, dumb, and blind kid," making a successful reference to the past in what is an undeniably groundbreaking and forward-looking achievement.
Originally released as a 2 LP set on Decca (7205).
Originally released on Decca (7205) in May 1969.
Originally released as a 2 LP set.
Originally released as a 2-LP set on Decca (7205).
Includes liner notes by Matt Kent.
Recorded at IBC Studio, London, England.
Reissue producer: Jon Astley.
The Who: Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards); John Entwistle (vocals, bass, horns); Keith Moon (vocals, drums); Roger Daltrey (vocals).
The Who: Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards); John Entwistle (vocals, trumpet, French horn, Flugelhorn, bass); Keith Moon (vocals, drums, tympani, gong, tambourine); Roger Daltrey (vocals).
Personnel: Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Roger Daltrey (vocals, harmonica); John Entwistle (vocals, keyboards); Keith Moon (vocals, drums).
The Who: Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards); John Entwistle (vocals, French horn, bass); Keith Moon (vocals, drums); Roger Daltrey (vocals).
Producers: Kit Lambert, Chris Stamp.
Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.118) - Ranked #96 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Driven by the hellbent drumming of Keith Moon, the Who surge and shine..." Rolling Stone (1/22/04, p.74) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Almost thirty-five years later, this classic-rock touchstone still has the power to enthrall..." Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.118) - Ranked #96 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Driven by the hellbent drumming of Keith Moon, the Who surge and shine..." Rolling Stone (1/22/04, p.74) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Almost thirty-five years later, this classic-rock touchstone still has the power to enthrall..." Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.118) - Ranked #96 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Driven by the hellbent drumming of Keith Moon, the Who surge and shine..." Rolling Stone (1/22/04, p.74) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Almost thirty-five years later, this classic-rock touchstone still has the power to enthrall..." Spin (2/04, p.100) - "[A]ny new chance to hear late drummer Keith Moon, a tidal wave of garage-rock fury, is a gift." Q (3/04, pp.116-7) - 4 stars out of 5 - "These are fabulous songs, brimming with Townshend's middle-class anger." Uncut (3/04, p.110) - 3 stars out of 5 - "TOMMY remains fascinating....TOMMY's also an undoubted milestone in rock's growing self-confidence and maturity..." Goldmine - 5 Stars - "..This is the ultimate TOMMY disc...this gold plated disc has a rich, spread-out sound and a lot of bass, and a downright luscious sound.."
My Favorite Album of All Time First let me admit - the story line of Tommy - a story about a traumatized youth - who goes on to become a messiah - is a bit different. As far as the music, and the chords go however - this album is beyond brilliant. You love it, and you love it forever. I saw the Who perform songs from Tommy at Tanglewood Massachusetts in the late 60's. It truly changed my life. I have enjoyed the music from Tommy thousands of times - literally - over the past decades. It is that good. Submitted by deyoe (San Diego, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
A Masterpiece Very good recording quality, Great arrangements and performances, highlight this re released classic. Submitted by pacificaudiolabs (Chatsworth, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Timeless. TOMMY is truly breathtaking. Never has music told such a linear and meaningful story than this. Tommy's journey through handicap, drugs, sex, molestation, murder, hero worship, and pinball remains the Who's defining moment as artists, even if WHO'S NEXT was their epitome of rock stardom.
One of the best things about TOMMY is how the Who avoid unnecessary pretension, considering how easy it would've been to give in to sound effects and orchestra. For the most part, it's Daltrey, Townshend, Entwhistle, and Moon and their simple, mortal instruments bringing us along.
TOMMY represents all that is good in rock and roll: the bitter, apocalyptic power of "We're Not Gonna Take It", the tight, hilarious, perfectly enjoyable pop of "Pinball Wizard", the awesome bass-drum combos on the instrumentals "Sparks" and "Underture". Sure, songs like "Cousin Kevin" and "Fiddle About" (both John Entwhistle songs) are ferocious, ugly, and not a little bit frightening, but the story needed that to balance the floaty mysticism that dominates. Sure, songs like "It's A Boy" are ridiculously short, but their surprising quality and the necessity to include them in the story make them far from filler. TOMMY (like AQUALUNG and DOUBLE NICKEL ON THE DIME) is that rare album where the flow and cohesiveness of the entire creation buoys even the weakest songs ("Tommy's Holiday Camp"). Two particular songs deserve mention for me: "Amazing Journey", a beautiful, trippy, totally Townshend piece highlighted by incredible drumming, and my personal favorite "The Acid Queen", notable for personal and powerful lyrics and an awesome jam which sounds perfectly like the Who greeting some twisted monarch as they take the throne. But really, what would "Amazing Journey" be without "1921" to introduce it? How well would "The Acid Queen" work without the equally brutal tales of "Cousin Kevin" and "Christmas" nearby to give it context? TOMMY is a masterpiece as a whole, an epic, immensely important and meaningful, and yet minimalist album. You'll never tire of it. I haven't yet. Submitted by Orion (Buffalo, NY, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Listening To You: The Who's Tommy is genius. Wow, I am a huge fan and bought the DVD of The Who at The Isle Of Wight but never listened to their amazing concert porportion of Tommy there, so never got really into it. What a mistake. This album is amazing, the drums, vocals, intense mixture of instruments and sounds, with their beautiful harmony. Tommy should always be recognized as one of the best rock and roll albums ever recorded. Submitted by happyjack79 (Fall River, NS Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I LOVE THE WHO THE WHO ROCKS IT ROCKS Submitted by CRAKDHEAD (WEST HARTFORD CT) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
My Favorite Album of All Time
Listening To You: The Who's Tommy is genius.
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