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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. I Am The Sea - The Who | |||
| 2. The Real Me - The Who | |||
| 3. Quadrophenia - The Who | |||
| 4. Cut My Hair - The Who | |||
| 5. The Punk And The Godfather - The Who | |||
| 6. I'm One - The Who | |||
| 7. The Dirty Jobs - The Who | |||
| 8. Helpless Dancer - The Who | |||
| 9. Is It In My Head? - The Who | |||
| 10. I've Had Enough - The Who | |||
See all 13 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Bell Boy - The Who | |||
| 2. Doctor Jimmy - The Who | |||
| 3. The Rock - The Who | |||
| 4. Love Reign O'er Me - The Who | |||
| 5. The Real Me - Pete Townshend | |||
| 6. Cut My Hair - Pete Townshend | |||
| 7. Punk - Pete Townshend | |||
| 8. Dirty Jobs - Pete Townshend | |||
| 9. Is It In My Head? - Pete Townshend | |||
| 10. Any More - Pete Townshend | |||
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See all 15 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Review
There are certain albums from the 1970s the brilliance of which must be taken on trust by listeners of today. If you weren’t in the neighbourhood of Ladbroke Grove in 1976, The Clash’s first LP sounds fairly far from revolutionary. If you weren’t around to hear the Ramones emerge as the fastest band in the world – before Bad Brains came along, that is – then the New Yorkers’ self-titled debut sounds slower than a solar-powered milk-float on a December morning. But certain albums of the time have managed to retain their untamed quality. Never Mind the Bollocks is one; Quadrophenia is another.
Available here in an almost pornographically sumptuous box-set edition, featuring the original 1973 album, two CDs worth of demos, a 5.1 surround DVD mix, a poster and a beautifully presented 100-page hardback book which also features a brand-new essay from Pete Townshend (there is also a cheaper two-disc version for anyone not looking to blow 70 sheets five weeks before Christmas – said set’s tracklisting, to the left), this is the album that refuses to die. For while Tommy may have made it all the way to Broadway, it is Quadrophenia which has aced the test of time better than any other album released by The Who.
Thematic if not quite conceptual, the original double-LP – which in freshly re-mastered form sounds both sharp and clear – frames England in an time of uncertainty: the uncertainty of the class system, the uncertainty of youth as it greys into older age, the uncertainty of an economy in its first shudder of industrial decline. As befits an album bursting with conflict and even violence – "I’ve seen my share of kills," sings the narrator of the impossibly brilliant I’ve Had Enough – Quadrophenia’s music is performed by a band who seem to be not just at odds with their country but also at times with each other. These are songs with very little space in which to breathe – when the denouement of a fully-aerated Love Reign O’er Me does arrive, the effect is almost cleansing – all played out to a backdrop of psychiatrists, priests, furious fathers, amphetamine-filled teenagers, fallen idols and enough sharp suits to cut open a whole army of greasers on the seafront at Brighton.
Soon to celebrate its 40th birthday, Quadrophenia is one of the few albums of its time that sounds as good today as it must have done then. For once, the term ‘masterpiece’ is not sold on the cheap. --Ian Winwood
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
THE WHO Quadrophenia (2011 UK Deluxe Edition 28-track 2-CD album set featuring the original 17-track remastered album plus 11 previously unreleased demo recordings. Housed in a fold-out digipak picture sleeve - with Deluxe Edition band and still sealed in original stickered shrinkwrap)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Touted by many as the last great Who album (I disagree - The Who By Numbers is that one for me) this really must be listened to as a whole to appreciate the amazing work of art that it is. The sheer creativity alone is worth the admission fee. I'm always amazed at how something like this can be created but if you look at the evolution of the Who up to this point you can appreciate how remarkable Pete Townshend had become not only as a songwriter but as a storyteller. Quadrophenia beats Tommy in the respect that it portrays a way of life that was recognisable. Of course, it's not necessary to know the stories behind the creation to appreciate the music. In today's climate of airbrushing, pro-tooling and autotuning it is easy to forget the ability of the musician. Alone they may not be up to much (none of the Who could ever really admit to making a classic solo album although Townshend came close) but put the parts together and you have a potent mixture that quite simply just worked.
We've been here before in terms of releases. The 1996 remaster was remixed. A subtle remix, yes, that certainly lifted elements of the mix that had perhaps been buried due to the style of production of the time. The majority of the Who's catalogue was remixed around this time and although it was done respectfully I was alarmed that they discarded the originals. I have to admit to being worried that the loudness war would strike again and hearing that Jon Astley was in charge also concerned me as he has been responsible for the destruction of several artists' repertoire over the years (Abba, Judas Priest, Boomtown Rats). However it was apparent immediately, as the waves crashed across the stereo spectrum, that the sound was pure. The fact that my volume control could be turned up considerably without having my eardrums shredded was proof that the music has been treated with the respect it needs and deserves and that the listener has been granted the right to choose their own volume level. All credit to Jon Astley for a terrific job. Maximum dynamic range equals maximum enjoyment of the music and how pleasant it is to actually get the feeling of the music instead of having to fight to hear it. Proof that CDs CAN sound good when prepared correctly.
If you're hesitant about buying this as a replacement for the 1996 version then don't be. They actually sound like different albums, both relevant. But this is the purest and best sounding issue ever and the most rewarding to listen to.
We've been here before in terms of releases. The 1996 remaster was remixed. A subtle remix, yes, that certainly lifted elements of the mix that had perhaps been buried due to the style of production of the time. The majority of the Who's catalogue was remixed around this time and although it was done respectfully I was alarmed that they discarded the originals. I have to admit to being worried that the loudness war would strike again and hearing that Jon Astley was in charge also concerned me as he has been responsible for the destruction of several artists' repertoire over the years (Abba, Judas Priest, Boomtown Rats). However it was apparent immediately, as the waves crashed across the stereo spectrum, that the sound was pure. The fact that my volume control could be turned up considerably without having my eardrums shredded was proof that the music has been treated with the respect it needs and deserves and that the listener has been granted the right to choose their own volume level. All credit to Jon Astley for a terrific job. Maximum dynamic range equals maximum enjoyment of the music and how pleasant it is to actually get the feeling of the music instead of having to fight to hear it. Proof that CDs CAN sound good when prepared correctly.
If you're hesitant about buying this as a replacement for the 1996 version then don't be. They actually sound like different albums, both relevant. But this is the purest and best sounding issue ever and the most rewarding to listen to.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I had some spare vouchers and waited eagerly for this re-release.Firstly de-luxe editions now have no de-luxe packaging just a annoying sticker labelled deluxe instead of the plastic wallet which keeps everthing together(the same was done with the kinks re-issued deluxe editions)we are spending money here and expect better.Now the sound difference to the 96' version is hardly if at all noticable to my ears and the demo's are poor and add nothing to the album.I took the cd back and have started to enjoy my 96'version again and what the re-release has done is make me listen to this fantastic record again.If you already own Quadrophenia there really is no need to shell out again if you do not already have the album then buy with confidence the music is great.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've got to put my twopeneth worth in on this one. I've had the 1996 release for some years now and was completely unfamiliar with the album when I first bought it, but quickly came to recognise the quality of the album. Full of great songs, better than 'Tommy' (IMHO)and it sounded great as well. I've had varying experiences with remasters over the years (Who hasn't?)and wondered whether or not to buy this one, but in the end I succombed and forked out the readies for it. I've got to say I'm somewhat disappointed. As the title to my review suggests I cannot hear any difference, and believe me I've tried, and if you've got to listen that hard is it worth buying for a second time? The Pete Townsend demos are interesting without being essential, you won't feel any great desire to revisit them that often. If you've already got the 1996 release then my advice is wait until this comes down in price. Oh, and one last thing, it's still a classic album!!!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
one of the greatest albums ever made, but more extras needed
Certainly one of the greatest albums ever made and a my personal favourite. I have bought this on vinyl, then a couple more remastered cd versions; now the deluxe version. Read more
Published 4 months ago by H. Storey
are there any more opinions regarding the DL remaster vs. the 1996...
This is not really a review as such - other than to say that I have purchased this cd twice before and the music (together with Who's Next) represents The Who at their absolute... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. G Jethro Tull S
Quadrophenia
This cd was bought as a present. The person who received it says it's awesome and she loves it and is estatic with the deluxe edition.
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Barbara K. Cotton
classic just got classier
its like listening to the who recording quadrophenia in 2011 . . .excellent, i would totally recommend this to everyone
Published 5 months ago by bon
unsure
The demos are good, if a little bit more Tommy than Quadrophenia. I would welcome a remaster with the "other" album version (booker t etc). Booklets are good, an answer on Jimmy!
Published 5 months ago by Broad the mod
a bit underwhelming
having bought the original album when it first came out, couldnt help but be disappointed by the dlx edition's version of the original b/w book- it's exactly the same as the 96,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Stephen A. Hill
Quadrophenia 2011 remastered
Superb value for such a classic recording. This set included 8 of Pete Townsend's personal demos. Despatched very quickly, and as always well packaged.
Published 5 months ago by M. NOALL
bought -finally !love it to bits.
hi all,i must admit my overdue exposure to this album.i saw the movie when it came out in 79or there abouts. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Richard Pievaitis
A special album for my 500th review
I thought that I'd celebrate my 500th review on Amazon by reviewing my favourite album of all time, probably the only one that I know all the lyrics and every musical squiggle and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Big Jim
Still classic after all these years
I remember waiting for this to come out on vinyl back in 1973 it sounded great then and still sounds brilliant. Excellent clarity and a sonic treat for the ears. Read more
Published 6 months ago by PJ
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