Then & Now 1964-2004 (Dig) [Original recording remastered]

The Who | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B0001IXTMW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,125 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Old rock bands never die--or even fade away, for that matter. The unlikely, 21st-century resurgence of the Who may have begun as a typical baby-boomer cash-in tour, but it also spurred the band's first new recordings in 20 years. When the tragic death of John Entwistle overshadowed both projects, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey stubbornly retrenched, forming what Townshend wryly called the Who's new "Everly Brothers format"; anyone aware of the historical tensions between Phil and Don couldn't miss the parallels with Roger and Pete's own long, turbulent relationship. Running the gamut from energetic early hits like "Happy Jack," "Magic Bus," and the now intensely ironic anthem "My Generation" to the briefest of highlights from their most fertile creative period (Tommy/Who's Next/Quadrophenia), this lavishly packaged and annotated greatest-hits set would seem entirely superfluous if not for the two new recordings that close it. Recorded at the end of 2003 with roots in a Townshend multimedia project called The Boy Who Heard Music, "Real Good Looking Boy" (featuring the bass work of Greg Lake, Zak Starkey on drums, and old cohort Rabbit Bundrick on keys) is a dramatic, stripped-down tribute to Elvis Presley whose energetic immediacy stands in stark contrast to the band's last, overly precious '80s recordings. Written on the Who's tragic 2002 tour and recorded in early '04, Townshend's "Old Red Wine" mines a similar musical vein and stands as the surviving Who duo's bittersweet tribute to fallen friend and bandmate Entwistle. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) pressing of this classic rock album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A primer and beyond, March 31, 2004

By 

A. Quinlan (Livonia, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Then & Now 1964-2004 (Dig) (Audio CD)

When a band like The Who releases something new, we are often reminded of the difference between true legendary talent and over hyped modern media junk (i.e. Britney, Eminem, or any other of the rubbish that you find on VH1 or MTV these days) The sad thing is that no matter how good these two new songs are, and they are great, they won't get played on today's radio. Even most classic rock stations will avoid the new recordings of classic artists lately and will only stick with their obvious hits. If you don't belive me, look at Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, and even that Eagles CD Single of the past year. All of these were great, but they never were played or put into even a medium rotation. It is by word of mouth now that we hear about these recordings and now I'm suggesting these two new tracks as good editions to The Who catalog.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How much money fo you want to spend?, May 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Then & Now 1964-2004 (Dig) (Audio CD)

How do you capture The Who on one CD? It's impossible. What I always suggest to people not familiar with The Who is to start off with "Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy" which is their greatest hits just of the 60's. If you like that, then you have to buy "Who's Next" which is their greatest album. After that album blows you away, then try "Quadrophenia" which is a true Who Fan's favorite album. If you want more, then get "Tommy". If you don't mind live albums, then get the greatest live album ever with "Live at Leeds". Then you're almost done, get "Who Are You". By this point, you are a true Who fan. Congratulations. If you want just the greatest hits of the 70's - they had a double album called "Hooligans" that did a good job. I also like the "30 Years of Maximum R&B" 4 CD box set (again if don't mind live songs mixed in with the studio versions - it's mostly studio). Obviously, Townshend is one of the greatest rock writers and performers of all time (check out his solo stuff)- I think he deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist - you can sign the petition at petitiononline.com/garjen
Also, there's a website called supergroup.netfirms.com where Pete plays rhythm for a UK Supergroup battle against a USA Supergroup in a charity battle of the bands concept.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please stop The Who-bashing. The music still warrants an A!, May 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Then & Now 1964-2004 (Dig) (Audio CD)

It would be nice if people would stop bashing The Who and just judge their music for what it is. Sure, this is the third greatest-hits package since 1996, but then again, every other major artist has released an anthology over the last couple of years.
On to this anthology. Who fans have two new tracks, the very strong "Real Good Looking Boy," which finds a mature Townshend and Daltrey joined by long-time drummer Zak Starkey (he's been in the band longer than the also-good Kenney Jones) and bass wiz Greg Lake. This cut is very impressive, although the late John Entwistle's pinging, immaculate bass line is absent. Townshend opts to play aggressive rhythm guitars and very tasteful, simple-yet-effective leads. Daltrey's voice wraps itself comfortably around the lyrics, giving the track an added warmth and depth that amazed many of us life-long fans. And although it's not "Baba O'Riley," which is missing from this collection, the new song is no throwaway.
As is "Old Red Wine," a tribute to Entwistle and a track that's still good, although not quite as strong as "Real Good Looking Boy." Still, these two tracks are better than almost anything else put out over the last year.
What are included, yes, are tracks that previously were issued on recent compilations, but one must judge the music for what it is. There never was another Who. No one sounded quite like the wild hurricane created by Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon (or Jones, for that matter.) "I Can't Explain" and "My Generation," both cut in the mid-1960s, still sound as fresh today as ever, as does the immortal "Won't Get Fooled Again." For those who want a bit more than this solid collection but not willing to get the band's entire catalog, 2002's "The Ultimate Collection" is the perfect, one-stop shopping for the more casual fan. Any way you slice it, The Who was - and still is - a unique, shining entity.