November 29, 2001
Finally, earliest Who album being re-released
By JAM! Music
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