No Subject

Back in 1970, Pete Townshend was preparing the sci-fi film "Lifehouse"
as a follow-up to "Tommy." Although the project collapsed, its music
resurfaced on Townshend's first solo set and on Who albums, most
memorably "Who's Next." Now "Lifehouse" is back: In February Townshend
made exclusively available on his Web site "Lifehouse Chronicles," a
six-CD boxed set. Neither a concept album nor a rock opera, it's a
sprawling collection of his original home demos for the work, plus
incidental music; live, orchestral, and new variations on the songs; and
a recent radio play. At $90, the box is for the hardcore fan, but for
the curious there's this single-disc sampler. A lot of this music adds
little or pales by comparison with the Who originals, although those who
relished Townshend's "Scoop" albums of demos might want these demos.
"Pure And Easy" and "Let's See Action" sound great, but the "Won't Get
Fooled Again" demo is a faint echo of the Who's thunderous version, and
an orchestrated "Baba O'Riley" or a "Who Are You" remix seem superfluous
to the real thing.

                -Brian in Atlanta
                 The Who This Month!
                 http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm