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The full-blown rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy that launched the band to international superstardom, written almost entirely by Townshend. It was hailed as a breakthrough upon its release, but its critical standing has diminished somewhat in the ensuing decades, because of the occasional pretensions of the concept, and the insubstantial nature of some of the songs that functioned as little more than devices to advance the rather sketchy plot. Nonetheless, the double album has many excellent songs, including "I'm Free," "Pinball Wizard," "Sensation," "Christmas," "We're Not Gonna Take It," and the dramatic ten-minute instrumental, "Underture." Though the album was slightly flawed, Townshend's ability to construct a lengthy conceptual narrative brought new possibilities to rock music. Despite the complexity of the project, he and the Who never lost sight of solid pop melodies, harmonies, and forceful instrumentation, imbuing the material with a suitably powerful grace.
© TiVo
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The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, ComposerLyricist - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, ComposerLyricist - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, ComposerLyricist - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, ComposerLyricist - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Sonny Boy Williamson II, ComposerLyricist - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, ComposerLyricist - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kit Lambert, Producer - Damon Lyon-Shaw, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Stamp, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 1969 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
DISC 2
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Sonny Boy Williamson II, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
John Entwistle, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Keith Moon, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - The Who, MainArtist - Pete Townshend, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Roger Daltrey, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Eel Pie Recording Productions Ltd., under licence to Polydor (UK) Ltd.
Album review
The full-blown rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy that launched the band to international superstardom, written almost entirely by Townshend. It was hailed as a breakthrough upon its release, but its critical standing has diminished somewhat in the ensuing decades, because of the occasional pretensions of the concept, and the insubstantial nature of some of the songs that functioned as little more than devices to advance the rather sketchy plot. Nonetheless, the double album has many excellent songs, including "I'm Free," "Pinball Wizard," "Sensation," "Christmas," "We're Not Gonna Take It," and the dramatic ten-minute instrumental, "Underture." Though the album was slightly flawed, Townshend's ability to construct a lengthy conceptual narrative brought new possibilities to rock music. Despite the complexity of the project, he and the Who never lost sight of solid pop melodies, harmonies, and forceful instrumentation, imbuing the material with a suitably powerful grace.
© TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 45 track(s)
- Total length: 02:10:02
- Main artists: The Who
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2013 Polydor Ltd. (UK) ℗ 2013 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
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