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Its Hard and Country Who



I've been intrigued by a few of the posts regarding the merits of Its Hard
and the country flavor of some of Pete's Lifehouse demos. 

First, I do like Its Hard, but it certainly is NOT the Who's best post-Quad
album. But, it was refreshing in response to the completely disappointing
Face Dances. I have softened a bit on Face Dances as the years have gone on
and enjoy it more now than ever (but still think the artwork and paint tube
concept was the best part of the record). But,when FD came out, I recall
wondering where was SOME edge, where was the rock and roll (Don't Let Go
the Coat pissed me off in 1981). In that perspective, Its Hard brought the
Who back from the dead in my world. Not back to the heights of Who Are You
and prior, but.... better. Eminence Front, Dangerous, and the
apologetically catchy Athena sounded good. Cry if You Want does have a
stupid chorus as I think someone mentioned, but the guitar at the end was a
flash of what could have been, and when I first heard it, I ached for more.
To only have it fade out on the last song was painful, coz I felt cheated.
Roger's singing was not his best, but there was an edge again to the voice
and a little anger...it was better. There were tender ballads, mixtures of
Pete and Roger singing together on songs, etc. Not great vocals, but better
and enjoyable. Of course, Glyn Johns makes good sounding records and  Face
Dances just sounded bad (now I use the word different, coz like I said I
have softened on the merits of Face Dances). Its Hard "felt" like the Who.
Hell, even I've Known No War...strings and WGFA structure sounded good
(Moonie on drums on this song would of killed over the poor, uncreative
Kenny Jones). In summary, Its Hard was not an effort that will stand the
test of time or in comparison with some of the Who's best efforts. Eminence
Front clearly was a Pete solo song and the best song on the album, but
considering where the band was at that time and the album they had to
recover from, in 1982, I was happy. And it still gets spun more than I
expect. 

Those country vibes in the Who's tunes just past Tommy, are in my opinion
the best music the Who put on record. If I recall, rock and roll started to
embrace "folk rock" about this time, CSN and James Taylor hit the scene.
The electric 60s started to bring a little acoustic guitar, piano and
little roots back to rock (not that the Dead and others weren't already
doing it, but you know how history went about this time). Whether Pete did
this as a sign of the times I am not sure, but he obviously did embrace
technology too with the introduction of synths. However, the strength in
those Who's Next tunes and others from that era, are in my opinion as
strong as anything the Who has done (especially in a spiritual
sense..clearly Pete's interest in Baba was an influence). Daltrey's new
found strength in his vocals and the way the band was recorded, Pete's
acoustic guitar and piano flavors with electric guitar on top were simple,
but incredibly effective. Roger was able to convey the spiritual strength
of those  tunes exceptionally well. Faith in Something Bigger, Time is
Passing, I Don't Even  Know Myself, Pure and Easy, Too Much of Anything,
Naked Eye, Song is Over, The Seeker, Getting in Tune, Goin Mobile are songs
that had a base sound that was rarely heard again, in subject matter,
strength, and sound.

The "country flavor" or that more simplified roots sound is one that wish
the Who would get back to. When all the pondering of a future sound from
the Who was discussed this is what my hope was. It would also be great to
continue to have songs where Pete and Roger share vocals. The "light and
dark" of their voices works so well together (even when covering Elton's
Saturday Night...and Take me to the Pilot) . Hearing them  sing together so
clearly at the Bridge shows this past October was, in my opinion, the
greatest treat of those shows. I had never heard them sing  together so
clearly before. Without all the volume of an electric show, they shimmered.
The acoustic shows Pete and The Who have played, the rearranging of his
tunes, plus the resurrection of Lifehouse gives me hope.

PS. Another Who song has made it to the movie trailers - this time
"Eminence Front." Can't recall the picture's title, but it is the new Mike
Figgis (director of Leaving Las Vegas) picture starring Salma Hayek and
others. The synthesizer beginning is playing as four different pictures
occur on screen...very effective.

Greg