The Who and R'n'B

[Brian.Cady@turner.com]

        In regards this weekend's discussion of The Who's R'n'B covers, 
     here's my 2 cents:
     
     Most of The Who's covers of R'n'B that they did in the studio occurred 
     in the 1st album session held 3/19/65 between 2pm and 5pm.  Mamybe 
     they were a bit rushed.  What I hear is 4 British kids around 19 and 
     20 trying to imitate a style which is in almost every way foreign to 
     them.  The results strike my ear as endearingly naive (especially on 
     "Shout and Shimmy;" "do ya feel alright? yeah, yeah, we feel alright.  
     Well, do you feel alright, chillun?"  I love it, but you've gotta 
     laugh).  Apparently everyone but Roger was dissatisfied (they tried to 
     suppress this material, but it came out in bits and pieces over the 
     year on B-sides and on about half the "My Generation" LP).  I've never 
     read why Pete, John and Keith hated the results (and Roger loved them) 
     but maybe after they listened to the playback, it sounded a bit 
     amateurish to them as well.