The Who's early recordings with producer Shel Talmy -- including such classics as "My Generation," "I Can't Explain", and "The Kids Are Alright" -- are finally being readied for re-release, more than 35 years later.
Billboard reports that Talmy, who has held on to the original three-track master tapes since he parted ways with the band, has finally entered into a deal with MCA to permit a stereo remix of the music, including a deluxe edition of their classic debut album, "The Who Sings My Generation."
The report said the music is expected to see release during the spring of 2002. The original releases were faux stereo mixes released by Decca Records, and Talmy's cache of material is said to include previously unreleased outtakes.
Talmy's production resume also includes The Kinks, Small Faces, and Manfred Mann.
"The first time I saw The Who, they were rehearsing at a church hall, and
I loved what I heard from the get-go," Talmy told Billboard.
"Now people will be able to hear those first exciting, ferocious recordings
we did together in the best possible sound quality -- and in stereo."
Among the cuts to be included in the new release: "Anyhow, Anyway, Anywhere," "Anytime You Want Me," "Bald Headed Woman," "Circles," "Daddy Rolling Stone," "Heat Wave," "I Don't Mind," "I'm a Man," "Instant Party Mixture," "It's Not True," "Leaving Here," "La-La-Lies," "A Legal Matter," "Lubie," "Motor-vating," "Much Too Much," "Please Please Please," "Shout and Shimmy," "The Good's Gone," "The Ox," and "You're Going To Know Me," Billboard said.
Meanwhile, in other Who-related news, Pete Townshend is once again using the Internet to make available unreleased live recordings. The latest Web-only release documents a pair of La Jolla, California, solo shows from last June.
Each of the two double-disc sets documenting each night follows .a "Storytellers"-type format, with intimate performances and Townshend's own song introductions.
The discs are available through his retail website, www.eelpie.com.
Here's the tracklisting for both sets:
22nd June 2001
CD 1
Pinball Wizard
Let My Love Open The Door
Heart To Hang Onto
Cut My Hair
Slit Skirts
Drowned
Greyhound Girl
Tattoo
The Sea Refuses No River
CD2
St. James Infirmary
Eminence Front
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes
Won't Get Fooled Again (electric)
Total running time: 89:08 minutes
Source: Soundboard
23rd June 2001
CD1
Pinball Wizard
Let My Love Open The Door
Heart To Hang Onto
Cut My Hair
Slit Skirts
Drowned
Greyhound Girl
Tattoo
Collings
Eminence Front
CD2
Sheraton Gibson
Won't Get Fooled Again
I'm One
Behind Blue Eyes
Driftin' Blues
Eyesight To The Blind
Won't Get Fooled Again (electric)
Total running time: 97:49 minutes
Source: Soundboard
