Customer Reviews

Then & Now 1964-2004 (Dig)

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

(rated 4 & 1/2 stars for the music; 2 stars for the concept)

From the opening guitar chords of "I can't explain" to the closing notes of "You Better You Bet," this sure is some powerful music. Daltrey's impassioned vocals, Townshend's guitar heroics, Entwistle's distinctive bass lines, and Moon's unrestrained bashing -- it all makes a good case for the Who's place as one of the 3 bands vying for the "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band" title. However, the real relevant question with this collection is was there any real justification for releasing it? When there already seem to be a hundred or so other Who compilations out, is there any reason to buy this one? The immediate and obvious answer is the two new songs on Then & Now, "Real Good Looking Boy" and "Old Red Wine." But the new tunes are good rather than great -- they really don't belong side-by-side with such masterpieces as "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Won't Get Fooled Again." Despite its touching nature as a tribute to John, "Old Red Wine" is a relatively weak entry in the Who canon. I'm also of the belief that a Who fan is better served by one of the 2-CD comps, or even the Maximum R&B box set. Those make much better transitions from the group's early "British Invasion" days to their ascendancy in the '70s. I guess if you have to have a single-disc Who hits collection - and to hear the theme for "CSI:NYC" - this would be good. But it just seems like a money-grubbing record company situation to me.

It seems like Roger Daltrey has been getting much of the criticism for the release of this compilation album by The Who. However, I'm more inclined to point the finger at Pete Townshend. With his enthusiasm for selling Who songs for commercials, TV shows and movies, I feel he would be the one to approve the release of yet another Greatest Hits CD, luring hardcore fans with two new tracks. I think Daltrey, who's been campaigning for years to get the band back in the studio recording, would have much rather put out an entire new album.

It's worthy of note that only two of The Who's eight (!) compilation albums (Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy and Hooligans) were released while the band was still recording. The other six (not including their Box Set, live and rarities albums) were released after they had ceased producing new material. To put it in perspective, the same studio version of "Pinball Wizard" has appeared on NINE seperate releases!!!

Well, with that little rant out of the way...

In general, THEN AND NOW is as serviceable a compilation as the others. All the group's biggest (not necessarily best) songs are here, and I admit they sound delightfully crisp and clear. I can only assume they have been re-re-re-remastered, and a couple of the tracks sound better than I have ever heard them sound.

The two new songs are a treat as well. OLD RED WINE is a pleasant, if not a tad slight tribute to late bassist John Entwistle, nicely sung by Daltrey. But it's REAL GOOD LOOKING BOY that makes this release worth the price. It's a great song, recalling Townshend's writing from The Who's latter days, with Daltrey belting out the vocals with a revitalized power and soul.

On the down side, the usual edited version of "Who Are You" is used, as well as the evicerated three minute single version of "Love, Reign O'er Me." And where's "Baba O'Riley?"

Overall, I recommend this album for hardcore fans, as the two new songs are necessary additions to your library. And if you haven't already bought the other seven compilation albums, this one will do just fine, although I would personally spring for the two disc ULTIMATE COLLECTION, which includes a couple of slightly more obscure gems along with the popular material.

It's great to see The Who touring again. I just wish they'd crap or get off the pot.

At first blush, it seems as though this album falls into the genre of "Greatest Hit Album Greatest Hits." Most of this collection has been heard before, in one form or another, and some of the choices here are puzzling. The omission of Baba O'Riley is especially curious.

Ah, but what about the new material? As good as it is, it underscores the basic problem that has followed The Who throughout their long career as arguably the greatest rock act ever: there is simply no way to capture the raw power that the band generates on stage while in the studio. Anyone who has seen them play live can attest to this. It's not just a matter of wattage. Even with Keith Moon and now John Entwistle gone, (ably replaced here by Zak Starky and ELP's Greg Lake), the band on stage has always proved to be more than the sum of the parts. Clearly there is some kind of fusion at work that makes them an impossible act to follow (witness their performance at The Concert for New York, when they all but blew the Stones off the stage.) Many credit their recent succes to Townshend's return to the electric guitar, after years of playing accoustic to save what remains of his hearing.

"Old Red Wine" was peformed in unfinshed form during the 2002 tour as a coda to My Generation. Townshend finally tried out the words at the Toronto gig. He's always played the guitar as somewhat of a percussive instrument, and when he launched into a Beethoven-esque guitar attack at the close of the song it brought the house down. On the recorded version he plays with the same ferocity, while Daltry demonstrates that while he's lost some of his range, he hasn't lost an iota of power.

"Real Good Looking Boy", an ode to Elvis, harkens back to Quadrophenia with its themes of teenage angst, self-doubt, and (at times) toxic parenting. Townshend is obviously still trying to make peace with himself. Daltry, meanwhile, seems to be at peace, and enjoying every opportunity to perform as he and Townshend crowd their 60th birthdays.

More live gigs have been announced for this year, and any serious Who fan should see this remarkable band while they still can. In the meantime, this album will more than do.

Even if you have all the Who CDs, and even some compilations
this low-priced single-CD is worth buying. Who would have thought in year 2004 we would be listening to Roger Daltrey sing - and sing beautifully - two new Pete Townshend songs? Forty years on, they still rock.

The two new tracks by the who are excellent and show roger and pete in top form. The new band members fit in well for the new tracks.

REAL GOOD LOOKING BOY- Good rocking song. Shows the Who is back. Best who song since emminence front!

OLD WINE- Nice song. About Entwistle supposedly. He like wine... Watch out for the end of this song.. IT ROCKS

check this out

This collection contains the usual Who songs that you would expect on their usual "greatest hits" collection. The better collection would be the British version of "The Ultimate Who Collection" except that no other collection has "Real Good Looking Boy" or "Old Red Wine". These new songs are worth buying the CD. The listener will be frustrated after listening to these songs knowing that they're going to have to wait for the next new Who album. You won't be disappointed in buying this CD. In fact you'll hear the new songs and know that this band has some things left to say that are relevent.

This album should only be reviewed on its own merits. Looking at other past compilations dilutes the idea that this set can have its own strong impact. If it hadn't been for an old 70's compilation -Hooligans(never in print on CD), I may never have been clued into what an amazing band The WHO are. That being said, this is a great compilation. The new songs are cool, and Real Good Looking Boy goes back to the formula of Pete writing something that is better communicated through Roger's voice. The song selection is good for a primer. Hopefully, some 14 year old buys this and is moved to go deeper as I did. If this package can do that, and I see no reason why it couldn't, then it is an outstanding CD. Oh, in addition, I really do like the packaging.