New Pete Diary

[L. Bird]

http://www.petetownshend.co.uk/diary/display.cfm?id=265&zone=diary

>13 May 2006
Progress Report

Yeah, we have some progress. I've been working almost constantly in my home 
studio writing music, or at Oceanic Studios helping Myles Clarke, Billy 
Nicholls and Bob Pridden complete tracks for the Who album planned for 
release in September. The condensed Mini Opera is now with Polydor for 
release in June, and we are batting sleeve ideas around. We were hoping to 
do some kind of video - Sam Mendes was mentioned to direct - but as exciting 
as that prospect is, I'm not sure we have time now. My daughter Minta is 
helping out by tracking down video directors and interfacing between The 
Who's management, Polydor and Roger and me.

We start rehearsals in a week from now, by which time Roger must complete 
six vocals on tracks I've prepared. He called me yesterday very positive 
about three new songs I just sent him. He has been working very hard on a 
number of charity projects he committed to before we arranged the tour - it 
has meant we have had to grab at time to record wherever we can.

There is only one familiar name one might notice is missing here - Universal 
Records. We do not yet have a U.S. deal settled, and that is not for lack of 
love or drive on either side. It just hasn't happened yet. I am keen that 
the Mini-Opera (Wire & Glass) is released in the U.S and Canada at the same 
time as the rest of the world, but as things stand, it doesn't look likely.

Plans for the tour structure look good. Creatively speaking we have more 
ideas than in recent years, this being our first proper World Tour ever, we 
have the resources to be a little more ambitious than in the recent past. 
However, time is against us, certainly it seems to be against me. When I 
started preparing tracks in December of 2005 I was picking up work I'd had 
to drop at roughly the same time a year before in late 2004 when Zak went 
off to tour with Oasis. Even so I felt I had plenty of time. But it sluices 
away.

Even so, today I am certain of one thing: the Who have a new record in the 
can - almost finished, and it will be a good one.