Two Sides of Moon [Import, Original recording remastered]

Keith Moon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 4, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Castle
• ASIN: B000EMSTZ2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,226 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Crazy Like a Fox

2. Solid Gold

3. Don't Worry Baby

4. One Night Stand

5. The Kids Are Alright

6. Move over Ms. L

7. Teenage Idol

8. Back Door Sally

9. In My Life

10. Together

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Keith & Ringo 'Together'

2. Don't Worry Baby

3. Don't Worry Baby

4. Teenage Idol

5. Crazy Like a Fox

6. Solid Gold

7. Move over Ms. L

8. Lies

9. My Generation

10. The Kids Are Alright

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Stunning digitally remastered two CD reissue of this 1975 solo album from the maniacal drummer for The Who. Disc One features the album's original 10 tracks with an additional 15 tracks of out-takes, alternate mixes, single mixes and more. Disc Two features 24 more alternate takes, demos, studio sessions, etc. featuring musical support from Ringo Starr, John Sebastian, Joe Walsh, Harry Nilsson and others. 49 tracks total.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keith Moon tells it like it is ..., December 21, 2008

By 

Gerald Heffner (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Sides of the Moon (Exp) (Audio CD)

Ah yes, Keith Moon's solo album. This was made in the mid 70's after his Who mates Roger and John both released solo albums. Keith, never one to be outdone by his peers, set off on his own recording adventure. The result is the stuff of rock legend.

First of all, let's get the obvious facts out of the way: Keith is a drummer, not a singer, but his first true musical love was 50's era Beach-Boyish surf music. He coerced his bandmates in the Who to warm up with "Barbara Ann" or something similar on every possible occasion. This album showcases Keith's grandiose send-up to the music he loved. Being a terrible singer is not an obstacle for Moonie, he just wanted to get in a studio with as many famous musicians and friends as possible and have fun. That's what this effort is all about.

The lineup of musicians on this album is impressive; even David Bowie makes an uncredited appearance in some background harmonies. The backing band is exceptionally strong, production values are good, and overall musicianship is top-notch, except for the (possibly intentional) chorus of ear-piercing cliched R&B female backing singers. The original album itself stands as a testament to Keith's indomitable spirit, even if it does score somewhere in the unlistenable category. Even so, some tracks like "Solid Gold" (which is not necessarily "sung" and sounds like something off a Monty Python soundtrack) and "Crazy Like a Fox" are not entirely terrible.

What the original album lacks in vocal finesse from our favorite lunatic, the deluxe edition makes up for with some classic Keith Moon banter, outtakes, arguments, and other assorted absurdity. For instance, I give you part of a conversation between Keith and Ringo Starr (one of Keith's best friends and drinking buddies) that rambles magically along:

RINGO: "I met a diabetic the other day."

KEITH: "What did he say?"

RINGO: "Hello!"

It's little bits like this that make suffering through endless versions and takes of "Don't Worry Baby" that make the collection worthwhile. (Side note: Legend has it when Brian Wilson heard Keith's version of "Don't Worry Baby" he wept bitterly.) On one outtake of "Solid Gold" Keith rambles about Judy Garland records and pleads with MCA to give him more money.

The lyrical evolution of "Solid Gold" is hysterical in its own right as the first few takes feature Keith singing about what sounds like his band and how "we" will be named to the hall of fame for "our" contributions ... this later morphs into "I" will be named for "my" contributions. Classic Keith ego trip right there and in the context of the album you have to wonder if he planned the joke ... Some of Keith's studio errors are great such as a horribly botched attempt at "The Kids Are Alright" and his dreadful falsetto stab at "Don't Worry Baby."

There are numerous different mixes and versions featuring alternate instrumentation, overdubs, and vocals, but most are throwaways. There are one or two backing tracks without vocals available for those of you who just want to hear the excellent band. If it seems like too much of nothing, be thankful. If Keith were alive today, the deluxe edition of this album would probably be six or seven CD's covering the entire length of the recording session with a two-hundred page book, DVD, photo album, and personalized, autographed locks of hair.

"Two Sides of the Moon" could have been twelve tracks of Keith banging away at the drums, but most fans will agree that Keith's drumming only ever truly fit when he was with the Who. Hearing him outside of that context was surprisingly jarring. Instead we have a look inside the mind of one of rock & roll's biggest personalities. The fact that he would spend the money on something this big, probably with the full knowledge that it would be a commercial failure, says volumes about his character. Additionally, the fact that he was not dissuaded in the least to begin work on a second album shortly thereafter says so much more.

No one, not even himself, ever stood in Keith's way.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Keith Moon - 'Two Sides Of The Moon' (Castle) 3 1/2 stars, July 5, 2007

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Two Sides of the Moon (Exp) (Audio CD)

Well, what do you know? Someone actually made this sole Keith Moon solo title MUCH better. Didn't think it could ever be done. I guess if you did what Castle did, take the original 18 track pressing put out on Pet Rock a few years ago, and then reissue it on a 2-CD, 50 song repressing and pack disc two with not only better songs but a couple of Who selections, then make it available as such. Trade in your single disc copy for anything they'll give you, then seek out this. Very nice.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not so bad, September 26, 2006

By 

Lovblad (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Sides of Moon (Audio CD)

I wonder why so many people hate this album. OK it is not the kind of record you would have thought that a serious rock musician like Keith Moon should have done. It is done in a very camp english way. OK he is horrible as a singer but I still think there are some endearing moments here. Maybe it is not the album worthy of a double extended version treatment.