WHO'S NEXT Deluxe Review

["Schrade, Scott" <sschrade@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> In case I missed it, Mr. Schrade, please repost your review of the new 
> release....

Part One:  The Original Album 

There is less high-end compared to the last release.  It has more of a
"matte" finish rather than a "glossy" finish, if I can borrow an analogy 
from photography.  Sounds good, especially Entwistle's bass which seems 
more distinct.

Part Two:  The N.Y. Record Plant Tracks

Some of the edge has been taken off these tracks from past releases - legit
& bootleg.  They're softened somewhat.  More produced.  Moon's drums
don't have that naked overbearing sound found on other releases.  These 
songs have more of a finished studio-polished quality about them.

And that's not a bad thing.  The tracks are mixed evenly & in a controlled
manner, giving them a nice consistency.  I did, however, find myself at 
times missing the open spaciness of previous versions.  However, that may 
be because I'm more used to those versions.  Still, these new versions sound
good.  Leslie West's guitar is kept lower in the mix.  

Part Three:  The Young Vic Tracks

I was happy with the sound here.  There's a bit of hiss, but the bottom end 
is strong, the instrument levels are powerful, & the vocals are loud.  This
is raw & exciting Who!  

I own boots from this show & they all sound dreadful.  Plus, the boots led
me to believe that this was a sub-par performance by the band, as well.  

But I must say, I enjoyed these tracks immensely.  Sure, there are some 
bum notes here & there, & some fuck-ups, but overall this is a very solid, 
energetic Who performance.  That surprised me.

Some comments:  "Love Ain't For Keeping" & "Time Is Passing" are both
brilliant.  Pete has some guitar trouble during "Young Man Blues" & we 
lose him for a bit.

Some songs are ragged:  "Bargain," "Too Much of Anything," "Getting In
Tune."  But as Pete explains from stage, they're new songs.

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is interesting.  Still in its early stage.  Moon's 
snares on his snare drum buzz throughout the synth breaks.  

The CD's are packaged like the Deluxe LIVE AT LEEDS & the Deluxe MY GEN-
ERATION.  Nice pictures, nice booklet.  Clear slipcase.  Good job on the
packaging.

Well, there's not a whole lot to criticize about this release.  The Young 
Vic live tracks (all of Disc 2) are especially enjoyable.  Go out & buy it.
Make it the soundtrack to your Spring.  And long live The Who!!

Final Grade:  A


- SCHRADE in Akron