New "Deluxe" and "Super Deluxe" Editions of The Who's "Tommy" Coming From Universal

On November 12th Universal will release numerous versions of The Who's Tommy, including "Deluxe" as well as "Super Deluxe" editions as well as the original configuration on double 180g vinyl. The press release doesn't divulge the vinyl source, who mastered or who is pressing.

Universal does score an "incomplete" here as usual, but I suspect the source is the Jon Astley digital remix-remaster and that would probably be at Pete Townshend's behest. Mastering? Who knows but Universal often goes to United in Nashville so even though this is analogplanet let's go to the real goodies here including in the Super Deluxe box a 5.1 channel surround mix on a Blu-ray disc and more importantly an album of demos and outtakes as well as a live "bootleg" album featuring 21 previously unreleased tracks from live 1969 "Tommy" performances that together reproduce the original album and concert. Also included is an 80 page book, an essay and a facsimile "Tommy" poster.

The high-rez "Pure Audio" surround mix is probably the same one used for the SACD issued some years ago, but that's speculation. Speculation is what happens when press releases don't deliver the real goods that you and I want to know.

Because the double vinyl is probably from the digital remaster and that's probably how Pete and Roger wish the record to be remembered, it's unlikely the original mix will ever again be reissued, though I hope I am wrong. If that's the case, Classic Records' reissue from the original tapes was the last. It was very good too, but there's nothing like an original UK Track pressing to set your hair on fire and your heart racing.

That said, the "Live Bootleg" (disc two of the "Deluxe" 2 CD set) is something I'd like to hear. I saw The Who do "Tommy" twice during that tour. Those were two never to be forgotten performances. The first at The Boston Tea Party was in front of a few hundred people. I stood close enough to have to look over my shoulders to follow Roger's microphone swings (at least that's how I remember it). The second time was at The Boston Armory a few months later. I was dating a gal on the B.U. social committee and got to sit in the front row. I took a tab of acid and I still remember the whole show (or think I do)!

There may be some giveaway contest opportunities here so stay tuned!

COMMENTS
Billf's picture

I was at both of those shows in Boston.The Tea Party one was amazing, Armory less so, but still great. Didn't The Flock open it?

Michael Fremer's picture

I think so.... why didn't you say hello?

Paul Boudreau's picture

Billf's picture

I suspect our paths crossed in other places. I visited NE Music City pretty much every day while attending BU. it never disappointed, with its steady arrivals of new releases and imports. One of my favorite memories was helping its manager unload boxes from a truck containing British import versions of the yet to be released here Abbey Road. I'd buy them all if I had the chance now!

Michael Fremer's picture

The manager of that store was Scott Billington who went on to run Rounder Records and produce some really fine albums, mostly in New Orleans, with singers like the great Johnny Adams. 

The Music City employee responsible for bringing in the U.K. Abbey Road Steve Berkowitz who went on to supervise the Miles Davis reissues (including Mobile Fidelity's series) as well as the Bob Dylan catalog.

I bought one of those Abbey Road copies and it's still the best sounding version I've ever heard. I've been playing it for 40 plus years!

soundman45's picture

I hope they source the digital remix or at least include it in the set because I believe it’s simply a better mix than the original. That includes Who’s Next as well. The only thing that I’m not sure of is the bit resolution that was used back in the mid-nineties, it was probably twenty bit. Converter technology has gotten a lot better since then.

Michael Fremer's picture

I'll have to pull out the SACD and listen... or actually I have the 96/24 download from HDtracks. I'll listen to that...

Paul Boudreau's picture

I remember buying "Tommy" at Waxie Maxie's in Rockville, MD:  Double LP!  Tryptych!  For those not around then, it really was a big deal.  Then I saw Led Zeppelin open for them doing Tommy at Merriweather Post Pavilion in 1969.  Those tiny people on stage (I was back on the lawn) made a wonderful din.  They blew LZ away, in my humble opinion.

soundman45's picture

Michael, what I'm referring to when I say belter mix, is a better balance of instrumentation in regards to presentation and panning and true stereo reverb. I'm in no way saying it's vastly superior in the ear candy department than the original. I think Tommy was only an eight track recording to begin with so there's not much you can do with it, but I think having the use of modern day automation probably helped alot with the mix.

Uncle Taiji's picture

Wonder how my venerable 1/4" ("Now 7 1/2 IPS") analog pre-recorded tape of "Tommy" fits into the pantheon of the different mixings?  A "Bell & Howell Magnetic Tape Company" product "DST 7205 P-DP" (on the box), it is a non-Dolby tape.   Of course I have a copy of the early vinyl too.  There is no date whatsoever on the box or the tape reel.  The reel is labeled MCA Records Stereo MCAS 10005-P-DP.  

I recently had my tape deck refurbished (with a custom Dolby decoder I cobbled together) an am having a blast working through my collection of about 95 pre-recorded 7 1/2 IPS R2R tapes.  My Barclay-Crocker manufactured classical tapes are really quite good sonically, even if being Dolby encoded and played back on an Akai GX-260D of no great repute.

Who remembers the time when it was a 'manly' thing for the observing females present to artfully and with great dexterity thread a R2R tape for playback in a minimum of time?

funkydude's picture

"it's unlikely the original mix will ever again be reissued"

 

I don't know if you meant from the original master tapes only or not, but the original mix of Tommy was used for the Studio Albums vinyl box set.

Michael Fremer's picture

I contacted Jon Astley a few years ago and i could swear he said it was re-mixed to digital.... but I'll find out for sure...

funkydude's picture

I meant the new vinyl "Studio Albums Box Set" that was released last year.

The original mixes for all albums were used. "My Generation" and "A Quick One" in mono and the rest in stereo.

 

you wrote about the set here.

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/who-14-lp-box-set-coming-mca

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