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Textbook 
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 Topic: Which Tommy?
Posted: November 06 2010 at 17:50 |
I think I'm going to lose this one big time but I prefer the 75 Tommy. The band had recorded Quadrophenia and Who's Next in the interim and Townshend's bigger budget allows him to go for a very full, rich, fantastical sound he didn't have the tools to make on the original. Plus actually having a cast really enhances the sense of story.
I think a lot of people prefer the more "rock 'n' roll" original and it certainly is rawer but Tommy is a big pretentious piece with big ideas and doesn't really suit a garage aesthetic.
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Snow Dog
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Posted: November 06 2010 at 17:53 |
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Original...but some parts of the film i really like. But Garage aesthetic? Come on!
Edited by Snow Dog - November 06 2010 at 17:54
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The Quiet One
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Posted: November 06 2010 at 18:07 |
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I think I do prefer the movie over the original.
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EnderEd
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Posted: November 06 2010 at 18:29 |
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The only Who piece I like better on the '75 version is "I'm Free"... But T Turner's rendition of 'Acid Queen', E. John's version of 'Pinball Wizard', and even E. Clapton's 'Eyesight' are worth coming back for.
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--EnderEd
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Dellinger
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 00:03 |
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On which one did Rick Wakeman guest? I think somewhere I read he was involved somewhat with this piece of music. I think this is where his relationship with The English Chamber Choir began.
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zachfive
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 00:33 |
Have to go with the movie.
I prefer Ann Margaret singing the Christmas tune, Paul Nicholas does a great job as cousin Kevin, and Elton Johns Pinball Wizard is a far better version. Also, with the movie you get a couple of extra songs and diddies. Like I really enjoy the bass line in the scene in front of the whore house... kinda an intro into the acid queen. Ohh and the nurses do a great job during the It's a Boy Mrs.Walker part. Yeah movie hands down, plus you get to see Ann Margaret roll around in a chocolate bean slurry.
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Svetonio
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 02:17 |
Voted for 75. I think that rewriting of pretty flat original 1969 album, is the best Townshend' solo work, of course with alot of great artists who played that film music.
Edited by Svetonio - November 07 2010 at 02:19
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AtomicCrimsonRush
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 05:05 |
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I went for the movie version as its great to hear the variation of vocals and the narrative style with the rock giants of the time.
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someone_else
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 07:23 |
I go for the movie version.
The original seems like a draft to me.
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Slartibartfast
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 09:58 |
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I've really never been a fan of the band, but I do remember the Overture being on the radio when I was a kid with my family on the road up to Mammoth Cave.
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Dean
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 10:18 |
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Certainly Daltry gives a better performance on the soundtrack, which highlights the weakness in some of the other singers IMO. I prefer the original.
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What?
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lazland
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Joined: October 28 2008
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 13:07 |
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The original, every time.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time!
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Textbook
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 14:18 |
Yeah, I think Daltrey certainly does a better job on the '75 version.
On a related question, I have never really understood the ending of Tommy. What exactly happens at the end? Yes I've seen the movie and it doesn't really help, he stands on a piece of land looking at the sun in imitation of his father. I suppose it's symbolic of something rather than literal but I still don't really get it.
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RoyFairbank
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 14:37 |
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Tommy is a bloated, useless work with some isolated mid-range points
Huge step down for the Who, but you could already tell they were headed this way with A Quick One + inevitable influences from Sgt. Peppers.
Horrible.
They recovered quickly enough and released a string of timeless albums.
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RoyFairbank
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 14:39 |
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oh, and studio version, obviously. The film is awful.
I've never seen a soundtrack release, but I remember enough about the film singing to be disgusted.
Townshend's weaknesses (silly abstractions) and none of his strengths (plaintive introspection) are bared naked in the movie and the album alike.
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Tapfret
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 21:06 |
 RoyFairbank wrote:
Tommy is a bloated, useless work with some isolated mid-range points
Huge step down for the Who, but you could already tell they were headed this way with A Quick One + inevitable influences from Sgt. Peppers.
Horrible.
They recovered quickly enough and released a string of timeless albums.
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Interesting opinion, of which I have the absolute inverse.
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The Truth
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 21:17 |
Tommy the movie was a piece of crap, it took all of the magic out of the album as it is a rock opera not musical.
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Textbook
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Posted: November 07 2010 at 21:29 |
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I should stress I am talking about the SOUNDTRACK not the movie. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
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CPicard
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Posted: November 08 2010 at 13:03 |
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I still prefer Timmy and the Lords of the Underground...
Just kidding. I must confess to enjoy the '75 version with the various guests.
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Snow Dog
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Posted: November 08 2010 at 13:06 |
Textbook wrote:
I should stress I am talking about the SOUNDTRACK not the movie. Sorry if that wasn't clear. |
It was clear to me. But it is the soundtrack to the film.
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Which Tommy?
