Customer Reviews

Tommy

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the 40 years since The Who's "Tommy" album was first released, it has been turned into an overblown London Symphony Orchestra production with "guest stars", a motion picture, a Broadway musical and even a ballet. Now The Smithereens have taken what had once become bloated and have stripped it back down to its essence with their no frills "tear it up" version of "Tommy". The Who's producer Kit Lambert originally wanted to make this "rock opera" truly operatic by bringing in an orchestra for the album's recording. However, the Who resisted that idea because they wanted to recreate the album live in concert as a four piece unit. The Smithereens have remained true to that vision and, in fact, their stated intention was to tailor their studio rendition of "Tommy" more like the Who's raucous "Live at Leeds" performance rather than the album version. Judging from their popular energized versions of The Who's "The Seeker" and "Behind Blue Eyes" that they have frequently performed live in concert, The Smithereens have ably demonstrated that they have the talent (and, perhaps more importantly, the no holds barred rock attitude) to render the fury of the Who's music through their own power pop prism. (And all of this musical prowess and reinvigoration in the studio bodes well for a forthcoming Smithereens album of original new songs scheduled for later this year.)

Just listen to this album's appropriately titled "Sparks" instrumental with lead guitarist Jim Babjak's combustible power chords and Dennis Diken's rumbling drums and lightning fast drum fills. They take us on a guided tour through the Who's musical landscape with a quick detour through The Smithereens' rocky terrain. Rhythm guitarist and lead singer Pat DiNizio's distinctive powerhouse vocals enliven and reboot songs like "Acid Queen" while imbuing the subtler numbers like "I'm A Boy" with admirable finesse. "The Thrilla" emulates sensurround with nimble bass lines during such lofty numbers as "Overture". Kurt (The Grip Weeds) Reil adeptly co-produces/reproduces the album with occasional musical contributions of his own (i.e. mellotron, organ and backing vocals). The CD is illustrated fittingly with front and back covers by William Stout (who also designed the iconic "Tales From the Who" album cover) and contains informative liner notes written by Jim Babjak and Bill Crowley.

Other highlights from this album include "I'm Free" which rocks much harder than the Who's more sedate studio version. Here The Smithereens treat it like the rock anthem it always should have been. "Amazing Journey", "Christmas" and "Go To The Mirror" (all featuring Jim on lead vocals) are performed as if the Smithereens were The Who's distant power punk cousins. "Eyesight To The Blind" finds Pat mining the blues fluently on vocals with occasional backup from a celestial choir. When The Smithereens play the soaring "Sensation" (with Dennis on lead vocals), it makes mincemeat out of the Who's rather anemic and horn-drenched 1989 "Tommy Live" tour version of the song (which wasn't even performed live during the "Tommy" portions of their early Leeds and Isle of Wight concerts). "Pinball Wizard" features Dennis singing up front with Pat on tandem vocals (including what may or may not be an homage to Shocking Blue's "Venus" for a few strumming acoustic bars near the very beginning). By the time they close the album by adding some raw punk-tinged guitar chords to "We're Not Gonna Take It", The Smithereens have impressively marked their territory. They've accomplished the nearly impossible task of delivering a 40 year-old Tommy and making him seem newly reborn.

Be it the recent live recording of their own material or the fantastic tribute records, The Smithereens keep on waxing amazing recordings. With "Tommy," they've again captured magnificent performances amid their own trademark sound, skill, and integrity. The song selections, project length, and shared vocals are perfect. As with the Beatle tributes, this undertaking further accentuates how very gifted, versatile, and talented the band members are. Great job guys. Awesome! This band deserves to be in the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame!

The Who's original "Tommy" has always been, for me, a far too laid back and tame affair for a band that featured a crazy drummer who drove his Rolls Royce into swimming pools and a guitarist who smashed his instruments on stage. Oh, it's good, but that's kind of the problem. It's never been, in my opinion been, anything better than just good. ("Who's Next" is a far better record, and as a concept allbum, "Quadrophenia" is a much stronger outing than "Tommy.")

Enter - 40 years hence - the Smithereens. Most folks by now are well aware of the Who's profound influence on The Smithereens. In fact, the New Jersey band probably owes its very existence to the Who's work. It's thus fitting and appropriate that the Smithereens are the band that finally delivers definitive, updated and commanding new recordings of that work.

In doing so, the Smithereens (wisely) did not attempt to cover the entire "Tommy" album (as they did with the Beatles on "Meet The Smithereens.") Instead they take 13 of the 24 tracks from "Tommy" and give them an intense makeover, delivering these songs with a fire and bravado reminiscent the live Who... and with stunning effect.

The recording itself is clean and beautifully powerful. Jim Babjak's guitars are up front and Townshend-worthy. Remarkably, drummer Dennis Diken, normally a straight ahead "in-the-pocket" percussion man, evokes Keith Moon's manic attack throughout, particularly on the extended instrumental passages. The Smithereens vocals, here more akin to Townshend's than Daltrey's, are still rock solid, with Pat DiNizio, Babjak, and Diken laying in some real smooth harmonies.

This recording is a most welcome addition to the Smithereens canon, and it's head and shoulders above most other extant versions of "Tommy," save the original 1969 album, and that only because they didn't write the material. "The Smithereens Play Tommy" is a superior recording, and a worthy and worshipful tribute indeed. I highly recommend it. Five stars!

I never really got into The Who growing up. I didn't own any of their albums, though I did listen whenever their music was played on the old staple classic rock station in New York - WNEW 102.7 FM. As I move into my mid-forties I have gained more of an appreciation for their role in Rock 'n Roll history. Keith Moon was an incredible drummer. Watch some video of John Entwhistle's bass work and your head will spin. Pete Townshend can simply shred on the guitar - I especially like some of his solo acoustic work (check out his cover of the English Beat's "Save It for Later"). And Daltrey was the consummate front man.

I think that "Meet the Smithereens" and, to a larger extent, "B-Sides the Beatles" were unfairly panned by some reviewers. I personally liked them both and I am a fan of both the Beatles and The Smithereens. They weren't trying to do Beatlemania - they were being themselves playing music of a band that they revered. Before you say, "here comes another tribute album from The Smithereens..." STOP. Buy it, listen to it, listen to it again and then say, "WOW".

These are some serious musicians. This took some serious doing. Dennis' drumming is making Keith raise a glass - wherever he may be. If he happens to be raising one with Entwhistle, he no doubt sees the admiring smirk from John as he listens to The Thrilla getting it done on "Sparks". Jimmy's crunching guitars are fantastic as usual. The acoustic work on "It's A Boy" is particularly brilliant. And consummate front man Pat holds it all together with his signature vocals and supporting guitars. The album also gives you a chance to hear lead vocals from Jimmy and Dennis, as well as some great harmonies from Pat, Jimmy and Dennis throughout.

40 Years ago, The Who released "Tommy". 38 years ago, Dennis noticed Jimmy's picture of The Who in his notebook on their first day of high school in Carteret, NJ. A few years later, an ad placed by Pat DiNizio looking to form a band was answered and The Smithereens were born. This is full circle.

This isn't The Smithereens trying to be The Who. This is The Smithereens playing music that inspired them to be who they are. And we should all be thankful.

God Save The Smithereens.

I've been a fan of the Smithereens for over 20 years. They are the real deal. If you are a fan of 60's power pop, the Smithereens are the band for you. They have roots in Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Who (and some say, ACDC). I love these guys. I've met them. And this new collection of songs is further proof that they rock! Buy this album now!

The songs on this tribute CD are fantastic, don't get me wrong. They are very cleanly recorded, and the energy coming through the speakers is great. It is very enjoyable to listen to.

But, c'mon....The Who's Tommy was 24 tracks, but here we only get 13. Guys, these renditions are GREAT! I wish there was more!

Overall, a good tribute from a good band.

By the way, amazon.com has the title wrong - its not just 'Tommy' - technically, the title of the CD is: The Smithereens Play "Tommy"!

From the GREAT Stout cover to the GREAT music within, The Smithereens Play Tommy is a real winner!!

The love that The Smithereens have for The Who is evident as they run through an abbreviated version of the classic Tommy album stripping it to it's rocking core. As you listen to The Smithereens plays these iconic Who songs, you can tell that it's a part of their DNA. They move effortlessly over these songs as if they had written them themselves.

And once again, like their Beatle albums, The Smithereens take the familiar and breathe new life into them. They strip away years of FM radio overplay and make these songs shine again like a brand new '69 Chevy Camaro...and with as much muscle and roar.

The Smithereens Play Tommy. Need I say anymore??

This 56 year old timer says: "Anyone that does the Who's music this well are the tops in my book...Rock On!" Raw and right on...makes an old mans arms start flying involuntarily!

It's simply Terrific! If you love The Who and you Love The Smithereens, this album is a MUST HAVE!!!!!

Words cannot express what a pleasant surprise this is. Such genuine care over the work presented not only as a tribute, but also as a heartfelt rock and roll record. Well crafted to the point of verging on its own Smithereens creation, not that of Pete Townsend. A pure delight, not to be missed. I would challenge any poseur band out there today to match this (I'm talking to you, Decemberists). Old guys rule!