A QUICK ONE

Unlike their debut album, this one does not contain any great hymns. No "Substitute" nor "Pictures Of Lilly" (my first Who single - actually an EP with "Doctor, Doctor", "Don't Look Away" and "Whiskey Man" which I received from an aunt of mine in 1970 - thanks auntie).

"Whiskey Man" with its "Underture" mood (this one with vocals) is one of the best songs featured of the album. It' amazing to hear how close The Who are from some parts of "Tommy".

"I Need You" also belongs to the good songs (poppy and as Beatles-esque as The Who could get in those days). The beat and bass play during "Run Run run" has definitely "The Who" trademark but does not belong to their greatest songs (and is therefore not well known unless you are a Who maniac).

Same applies to "Don't Look Away", "So Sad About Us" and "Boris...". Nice little tunes as The Beatles have written a lot.

The worse being achieved with "Cobwebs And Strange", a real masquarade. "See My Way" is just a littlle better (but only by half an inch).

"A Quick One, While He's Away" is a very long song and the last one of the original album. It features rock, blues elements as well as some flavour of the later "Tommy". A more "concept" song than usual for that period, definitely. But that does not make you prog, right ? So, here again, don't expect any prog moments because there aren't just any. Like in each Who album.

As mentioned earlier on in this review, the EP coming out of these sessions is definitely a better buy than this LP. Two stars is just as high as I can rate this one. If you want to get the essence of their work, just grab a "Best Of". For maniacs, "Tommy", "Live At Leeds", "Who's Next" and "Quadrophenia" are of course essential.