Who Are You, The Who‘s eighth studio album, is to be launched in a collection of codecs together with an excellent deluxe version on October 31.
The album’s new version options over 70 unreleased tracks together with never-before-heard variations of the title monitor “Who Are You,” newly blended reside tracks from the band’s first tour with out authentic drummer Keith Moon and candid recordings of rehearsals in 1977 and 1978. Additionally included within the 7CD/1 Blu-ray set are brand-new Atmos & Stereo mixes by Steven Wilson. The album may also be launched as a deluxe 4LP field set, a 2CD deluxe version, and limited-edition colored and half-speed grasp vinyl editions.
Order The Who’s tremendous deluxe model of Who Are You now.
Initially launched in August 1978, Who Are You marked a big chapter in The Who’s profession. Whereas it was a industrial triumph, peaking at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reaching double platinum standing and No. 6 on the U.Ok. Albums Chart, it was additionally tragically the final album to function legendary drummer Keith Moon, who died every week after its launch.
The album noticed the band pushing boundaries as soon as extra, with the songs referencing the incoming affect of punk music. In truth, the title monitor was written after an evening out with Steve Jones and Paul Prepare dinner of The Intercourse Pistols. Nonetheless, Pete Townshend additionally delivered a few of his most bold and complicated preparations, incorporating layers of synthesisers and strings into The Who’s highly effective backing tracks.
The title monitor “Who Are You” preceded the album in early July 1978, changing into an prompt anthem that has remained within the band’s set checklist to today. Aided by its look within the CSI TV franchise within the early 2000s, it’s one in every of The Who’s most-streamed tracks.
The preliminary classes for the album passed off on the band’s Ramport Studios, produced by Glyn Johns and Jon Astley. Nonetheless, the recording course of was fraught with challenges and artistic tensions. The Who Are You Tremendous Deluxe Version lastly tells the entire story, that includes, for the primary time, the rejected authentic Glyn Johns mixture of the album, a newly remastered model of the launched Jon Astley combine and fly on the wall rehearsal classes from Shepperton Studios, which the band owned on the time. It can additionally function a wealth of unreleased materials together with demos, alternate takes and within the case of standout monitor “Sister Disco,” a beforehand ‘lost’ guitar solo rescued from the multi-track tapes by Steven Wilson.
In 1978, the album was seen as a return to kind for The Who, and anticipation for a tour to help the album was excessive. Sadly, the dying of Keith Moon on the twenty third August put paid to any such plans. The band launched their new drummer, Kenney Jones, previously of the Faces and The Small Faces, in Might 1979, together with new keyboard participant John’ Rabbit’ Bundrick. One of many many highlights of the tremendous deluxe version is the newly blended reside tapes from the US leg of the 1979 tour, capturing The Who’s explosive new lineup in full flight with tracks from the album coming to life onstage.
The band sustained that momentum into the brand new decade with the epic movie undertaking The Youngsters Are Alright, the Quadrophenia film, and the multi-platinum Face Dances album in 1981.
Extra just lately, The Who launched their first new album in 13 years, the critically acclaimed WHO, and toured the world with their ‘Moving On’ and ‘The Who Hits Back!’ symphonic reveals with a full orchestra which had been commemorated in 2023 with the album The Who With Orchestra Stay At Wembley, recorded at London’s legendary Wembley Stadium. 2025, in the meantime, sees The Who saying goodbye to their legions of loyal followers in the usA. with an unlimited tour of North America that’s set to conclude on the finish of September.
Order The Who’s tremendous deluxe model of Who Are You now.
