The Who

Well I've done most of my reviewing of this fantastic band (still waiting for Quadrophenia), but the Who is definitely the most prog of the big four of the 60's (Stnes, Beatles, Kinks and Who)

Underture from Tommy is a masterpiece to me. Keith Moon sounds quite like Carl Palmer on this and that is a real plus. Not that he is trying to intentionally trying to  produce a CP style, but his drumming is so progressive here that it is hard not to notice. Entwistle's french horn and Townshend's acoustic playing produce amazing results. I am really taken in by this piece. Tommy was the Who's progressive plateau it seemed. The Who Sell Out was just as monumental as Who's Next, just different in style and musical approach. I died inside the day that Who By Numbers was played on the radio in it's entirety. It no longer had the spark of Who craziness for me. Squeeze Box brought my hopes down of that ever happening again. I bought Who Are You in 79' and was discourged even more. It just didn't feel the same for me. Sometimes I got the impression in the early days, that they might have borrowed from the Kinks. Boris The Spider in particular reminds me of a song right from Village Green Preservation Society. I Can't Explain has a Kinks sound as well. Who's Sell Out and Tommy are both original in content.   

Just thought I'd mention that Quadrophenia is quickly creeping up there as my most played album

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Sean Trane wrote: Don't worry Ivàn,   I'd have rather seen them added in prog related along with Zep (which they beat in every dept), but I'm glad they're in PA, COS they deserve it FULLY!!!    That's the point Sean, I don't believe anybody DESERVES to be here, they belong or don't belong here, but Prog Archives is not an award that anybody deseve.   There are terrible Prog bands that belong here and great non Prog bands that don't belong here.   I don't believe The Who belong here, but I can live with them in Prog Archives.   Sean Trane wrote: Of the BIG FOUR of the 60's, they're clearly my preferred ahead (slightly) of the Beatles and chugging Kinks and Stones far behind.....    They are also my favorites from the big 4,  with The Beatles far behind. The Stones for me are limeted to "Their Satanic Majesties Request" and the song "Paint it Black", nothinge else moves me.   Cheers   Iván

Ivan makes a subtle and far too often overlooked distinction here which I endorse i.e. why should flawed prog be held in higher regard than very good plain vanilla rock music ? For me, both Quadrophenia and Tommy sound like a band clearly overreaching themselves, and although I applaud their ambition, daring and innovation, (isolated parts of both records are legitimately successful prog creations) it seems self evident that only Townshend would have had the requisite vision, stamina and ability to sustain such material further into the Who's future. Daltry, Moon and Entwistle just appear inhibited and uncomfortable on the proggier output. For this reason the routinely dismissed By Numbers is probably my favourite Who album and why ? because Townshend had reconciled himself to both his own and his collaborators limitations and proceeded thereafter to 'just' produce excellent rock music. (As if that wasn't sufficient ?)

Pete Townshend is a brilliant songwriter first and a progressive instrumental composer second.

Well,I guess the main problem with the 'prog-related' sub-genre(and probably the reason why it's so polemic in the site) is not knowing exactly what specific element in one's music makes it worth the tag.I agree about some clear prog  references in Quadrophenia(not so much for Tommy).But is it enough to justify The Who's entire discography being included here?In therms of artisitc expression they were of undeniable importance in the late 60's,then again the slightest sign of proto-prog is very remote in albums like A Qucik One or Sell Out,although they were very 'progressive' in the sense of being mind-opening and technically controversial at the time.

BTW, has Quadrophenia ever been remastered or is it still the old Fatboy double jewel case  of the 80's???? ....

this is pretty prog...a remix of The Who classic  ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb7Ep48cJNQ

Edited by ko - November 14 2009 at 08:26

Pete Townshend was re- writing the whole Tommy for the movie. Some tracks are really amazing, e.g. this Acid Queen version (it's the film version, not short version on the original double lp soundtrack).

Edited by ko - November 19 2009 at 15:13

Say It Aint So Joe< Roger Daltrey live with John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Jimmy McCulloch, 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bVGTVrQd6M  Pete Townshend >Magic Bus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfL4MlEIB4Q

Edited by ko - December 29 2009 at 14:51