I was lucky enougth to see The WHO 4 or 5 time's in 1964/5 up to MY GENERATION. My favourite track by them, is BALD HEADED WOMAN flip of "Can't explain". Never bought one of their album's. At that time they were 2nd best, live to GENO WASHINGTON & THE RAM JAM BAND. {Who never managed to produce even a half decent recording !} I lived 50 mile's out side London and would see a Top Chart Band EVERY WEEK. {Sometime 2 or 3 over a weekend}. THOSE WERE THE DAY'S, as they say. Keith when he broke a drum stick {quite often} would throw it at / into the audiance. These were DANCE'S. We didn't LISTEN to the band's, they were there for us to DANCE TO. As they only had one or two "HIT'S" {like most of the band's} they all played a pretty standard collection of R&B tune's. Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry often covered the most.... Hope that's of some interest. >>> I think being a British Teenager then, "WAS THE BEE'S KNEE'S".... I'm still singing {to myself} HOPE I DIE BEFORE I GET OLD.... I guess it'll come one day but at 75 I'm still enjoying listening to music @ FULL VOLUME.
Wow wow wow - I loved this!!!! I've seen tons of footage of The Who and others performing at those "dances" - AND YOU WERE THERE!!!!! That's insane. Bald Headed Woman was your favorite....Ok that's funny. Never even heard of Geno Washington but I guess that's because they didn't release any good records. So you're the living embodiment of Quadrophenia? I live vicariously through that film (and music), though I could never have been a Mod. Though I do ride a scooter (a Honda though LOL). Thanks for filling us in. This is great. I miss those days....even though I never actually lived it in the first place.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Yeah, I was a 'MOD'. One of 2 living in my village {full of Rocker's. LOL Dangerous time's. } Had a Lambretta and went out 3 or 4 time's each weekend. {Sunday afternoon's with local band's, who probably played for Free} This was when band Member's probably got paid as much as some of us watching them ! (£5.00 / £10..00 a week.} The Promoter of our venue alway's had at least one "Chart Artist" on each week. Crazy as it sound's, IT WAS NO BIG DEAL to be dancing to a band with a top ten single in the chart's, once or twice a week. Geno was an Black American serviceman who stayed in the UK & us 'Mod's" would travel mile's to where ever he was playing..... Just watched your Vid on Live show's.... I was about to "Give Up" on watching Vinyl Collecting thread's as it seemed to me, they were all commenting on the same stuff and it came over as being "SNOBBY" & A BIT UN-GENUINE ! You're INTERESTING and arn't afraid to mention 'little & unknown' Artist's PLUS we seem to have similar muic like's.... How often we gonna see the Ozark's mentioned ?????????????? I've just ordered Antigone Rising - From The Ground Up. Thank's for the suggestion.
@@HTJB60 Thank you do much again. You’re making me feel so good. Nice to know there’s validation in what I’m doing and trying to do. I keep seeing those Quadrophenia scenes in my head and that was you. You must love that movie. A Lambretta. Oh my. Did you really have all those mirrors on them. So cool. I went to Bristol just to see the Quadrophenia landmarks see actual Lambrettas and ride the Helter Skelter on the pier. Amazing
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow No mine was very plain. My father did it up for me, using 'rattle can' paint. Having a girl on the back somehow made the Scooter go better. They knew how to lay-back on it. I was Jealous of the guy's with Vespa's. I've never seen Quadrophenia. The odd scene's I've seen on youtube make me squirm ! Ditto the silly remark's people say on youtube about's Mod's etc. It wasn't like that ! We were in to dancing {& music} and yes a group of Guy's would dance together. Clothes & Dancing were very high on a 'Mod's Priority list'. And no, I never ventured to the Seaside, either.... I expect San Francisco was VERY DIFFERENT too. Reality normally is. { As a 27 year old Hippy {about 75?} me and a few other's use to go to PUNK Venue's / Dance's & get on great with them. Pogoing with long hair we use to tell them "must be more fun than with a 'skin head' hair cut. LOL} I even introduced the to Patti Smith's album HORSE'S.... REALITY AGAIN. The PRESS got so much wrong.
@@HTJB60 Interesting. I meant to say Brighton, not Bristol. I guess better sometimes to live in our imaginations than the reality...lol. I think you should watch Quadrophenia. Personally one of my all time favorite movies. And for you, even if it's different than the reality, probably still a thrill, if for anything else, for what they got wrong compared to your experience. The dance hall scenes are great though, as is the music.
Yea - I bought the compilation album Then & Now just because it had that song and another Old Red Wine. But yea Real Good Looking Boy was better than enything on Endless Wire. Thanks.
I agree with your sentiments completely regarding Endless Wire....it fell flat upon that first listen. Thankfully the tour was much better and the ending with the song "Tea and Theatre" was a nice way to finish the show.
Thanks. Yea I kind of enjoyed the sentimental ending with Tea And Theatre. Maybe a little, I don't know, sentimental...to me seemed slightly show bizzy, I don't know, but considering all that Townshend had been through and Daltrey always stood by him - I'm sure was genuine.
Fascinating stuff, Alan. I swerved this album at the time despite being a big Who fan. I kept thinking about buying it, but never did - partly due to the reviews,. It's totally baffling why they didn't wait for Zak Starkey. Another great video. I'd be interested to hear what you think about the latest Who album. Apparently, they recorded their parts separately, not together. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks so much. I talk about their latest album in my Who album ranking video. Like you said they recorded it separately and it sounds like it but it’s a much better album than Endless Wire. Still wish it was a better album too. Thanks so much.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Ahh, thanks so much, Alan. Actually, I think I watched it and that's probably where I picked up that information about the separate recording. I'll watch it again. Great respect for your reviews. I quite like 'It's Hard'. At the time, 'Eminence Front' was my favourite. As you say, more of a Townsend solo. Just to add to what you said, you can tell on 'Who are You' that Keith Moon's drumming lacked power. My brother and I used to listen to that album a lot at the time it came out. For some reason, my name does not come up when I post on You Tube. I'm now 'user...' Thanks again, Alan. David Butterworth
@@DavidButterworth-z3z Thanks David for your awesome comments as always. Like you said, I bought Who Are You at the time it came out, and I found it a bit odd that no one was commenting on the lack of Moonie on the drums on the album. He's virtually not there except for the title track. Only years later did it come out, they almost fired him twice in the making of the album and the terrible shape he was in. Sad. I agree with you - It's Hard and Face Dances are fine albums. Certainly different Who albums from the prime Moon years, but fine all the same. Thanks again David.
Face Dances holds a very special place for me. It's one of first albums I ever bought with my own money. Still love it. Will defend it to the end. It's Hard I was really excited for back in 1982. But it just didn't click with me, except for Athena. But a few years ago I gave it a new listen and I like it a lot more now then I did then. As for Endless Wire.... it is like Van Halen III to me. I've tried and tried and tried to get into this album but no matter how many times I listen to it I just can't dig it at all. Good assesement on this one. WHO I thought was pretty good.
Thanks. Funny I thought Athena was a really weak single. Kind of killed the album. I think it’s a fine album. Love Eminence Front. The Entwistle songs are fairly strong on its Hard. Yes Face Dances has a lot of really good songs on it. Another Tricky Day. Don’t let go the Coat. Better You Bet. Cache Cache. I thought The Who was initially really good with Kenney Jones.
@@STEVEHEROLD Oh my..........Achtung Baby is truly one of the greatest albums of all time...and my favorite U2 album. And Athena is a fairly harmless anemic Who song, that's not terrible but kind of a wimpy single for The Who. But Eminence Front....now that's awesome. I actually like a lot of It's Hard.
I remember listening to this the first time… Let’s go back to about 1978 and my brother gives me his copy of The Who By Numbers, and I LOVED it. I remember being told in 1982/3 «that was the final Who album» (it’s hard) and then all those years later, after losing John, they release a new album! I nearly threw the damned thing against the wall. Rarely have I been this… disgusted, by something recorded by my heroes. St: Anger probably comes close. It litterally sounds like Daltrey is handed some written notes of rambling nonsense and is told to just make up something that may pass as a melody on the spot and then the music is filled in after. La la la la title la la la… oh, we’re still going? How this album wasn’t massacred at the time I’ll never understand. And don’t get me started on that cover. It makes Iron Maiden’s Dance of Death look cool!
I grew up with the ‘OO’ and would buy everything by them!! But starting with ‘ by numbers’ my interest wained.. but we saw them in 1980after Keith died.. I’ll buy any who record just because!! I just started listening to the endless wire.. I really liked it!! Odds and sods was highly underrated!! I’m a who fan but we’re all getting old🤔😘
Well As a huge fan as well, I'm really glad you liked Endless Wire. It's all personal and if you brought you joy that's awesome. But Who By Numbers (which really is just an OK Who album - though How Many Friends is a personal all time favorite) is on another planet of greatness compared to Endless Wire - at least for me. Thanks. Yea Odds And Sods is awesome. Pure And Easy another all time fave.
When I've met Pete Townshend he spends ages talking to my mum about Tinnitus a permanent ringing in your ears. They both have it. My mum isn't a who fan or rock fan😂. I want to talk about rock music😂. Strange but true.
You know Townshend - well how cool is that. If I ever met him, one of the things I would ask him is about Endless Wire - he waited 24 years to do a Who album and Zak Starkey apparently wasn't available for this. So why didn't he wait a little longer and do a Who album with Zak who obviously is so perfect with the band. This album doesn't sound like the Who at all. Just Townshend with overdubs and little to no drums or bass.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow seen the who alot in UK met them alot there ok guy's. Jethro tull I've seen 100+ met Ian his wife his son his daughter again ok guy. I'm rock mad so everything rock since 1975 age 11 at 59 I'm worse buy more but no gigs I've seen 1'000+ seen the best at there best. New albums always suck but we collectors still buy them.
@@markhughes5444 wow. I don’t know who you are but you blow me away. Oh the stories you could tell. You should have a channel. I always think I’m a big fan until I meet someone like you. Truly awesome. Thanks for sharing on a personal level. Though they always say don’t meet your heroes. Though really they’re not heroes to me. Well. Maybe a little. Lol
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow no I'm a private guy so no RUclips. Music is my life. My dad was the same. He hung with Clapton Jeff beck the same as I hung with Motorhead thin Lizzy etc. Most rock stars are okay. Some are difficult Peter Gabriel axel rose etc. But now meeting rock stars is much more difficult. Shania twain the best I met we talked for an hour at her request. My collection is very varied from Joni Mitchell to Megadeath.
@@markhughes5444 I totally respect your privacy. And it's actually very cool how humble you are. If I had relationships with rock stars....yea, I'd probably talk about. By the way, and you may not believe this, I'm not star struck person at all. But would love to speak with rock stars regarding their music and decisions musically. And I'd love to tell them where I think they went wrong...lol.. I've met a few outside of shows where they signed some rare stuff I have so I can frame them. Most were very nice and some were amazed I kept this stuff. Hung out at an art museum with Ron Wood and his wife at the time and spoke for like 5 minutes. He was very nice and wanted me to buy one of his paintings. I told him way out of my price range and he laughed. Thanks so much for watching my videos and commenting. I really appreciate it.
I agree with most of your comments, but your missing two original band members. Do you expect the old WHO sound without John and Keith - Come on man!! But Pete and Roger are phenomenal. So it is a keeper!! By the way - I just bought the version you have. See below comments.
It’s not that I expected the old Who sound. Especially with Entwistle gone and Palladino not even attempting to replicate that bass sound that was never going to happen. But the drums and bass are virtually non existent. Especially the drums. And that was very frustrating to me because they had their perfect replacement drummer already playing with them in Starkey. If the had already waited 24 years for this they should’ve waited for Starkey to be available and all play together live as that is what the Who should sound like.
One of the few albums that actually made me angry. Waited all those years for that mess - he couldn't have waited a bit more to have some real powerful drums on it from Zak Starkey. I didn't understand then and still don't.
@@thomaswery3087 I thought it was a big improvement too. I bought two different versions. But still had that sound of Townshend doing it and sending to Daltrey to add his bits. But not as blatant and yes a far superior album.
@@thomaswery3087 Interesting analogy. I bought Heaven and Earth, listened to it once and dumped it. I decided I could no longer "support" Yes without Jon Anderson (Drama being the exception). Haven't bought another new Yes album since. I certainly have "supported" The Who, even though they should have continued as Daltrey / Townshend, but I understand the branding and they wouldn't draw without The Who name. It worked out well for them, but The Who musically really kind of died after Entwistle, to me anyway.
I seem to be alone in liking this album a lot. It contains a lot of great songs: And God Spoke of Marty Robbins, Mike Post Theme, Black Widow’s Eyes, Pick Up The Peace. All solid tracks in my humble opinion. Yes, not on a par with The Who in their pomp but still better than It’s Hard and Face Dances (and I quite liked that one). My one criticism, it’s a pastiche in many ways. They seem to be imitating their late sixties/ seventies sound without breaking new ground. Townshend still fixated on the abortive Lifehouse project. I think he should either abandon it for once and for all or go all out and finally do the Lifehouse album. He tried on this, Psychoderelict. I think if he combined elements of that album, Who’s Next and the Wire and Glass opera he could have a classic on his hands. C’mon Pete! You know you wanna!
Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad you like Endless wire. I still stick with my comments though. Lol. The upcoming who is next super deluxe, should be really interesting, and will cover a lot of ground for Lifehouse. Thanks again.
Yes I know - a big fortune. I have all the other Who mega boxes, but I'll be holding off for this one for a long while hoping the price will drop. It did on the others over time. @@simonholyoak8869
The Who is a much better band than Queen. Pete Townshend legendary guitarist and lyricist; Roger Daltrey legendary singer; John Entwistle legendary Bass and everything else; Keith Moon legendary Drummer. This album without John and Keith - great signing and guitar playing. I just bought new for 5.00 and 3.92 shipping - 21 tracks on disk 1 and 2; 5 tracks on DVD. What I've listen to thus far is far superior to much of Queen. I wouldn't buy a Queen album on a say so. I did with THE WHO!!
The Who's run of studio albums from 1967 to 1975 is probably my favourite set of albums, only challenged by the Genesis albums from 1970 to 1976. Unfortunately, Endless Wire continued their sequence of disappointing later albums. It's mediocre as far as I'm concerned. Far too many songs from the album were featured on the 2007 tour. 2019's WHO album is much better and in my mind their best since The Who By Numbers in 1975.
Yea The Who run is incredible. I did a video on it. The Genesis run you mentioned is also incredible. I’d include Seconds Out too. Love that live album. I agree Who By Numbers was their last essential album. Trick of the Light to me was the highlight of Who are You. Very spotty album. .
I’m certainly glad you really like it. I think it has a couple of songs that could have been really good but not with the production and lack of drums and bass on the album. Sound like Townsend demos
It is disappointing for sure when your second favorite rock band makes you wait almost a quarter of a century for a new album and that album does nothing for you. The Who is one of my most favorite bands, but, for whatever reason, I never heard all of “Endless Wire” until today. After listening to it twice, I formulated my opinion. Then, I watched your video about it and read comments from your viewers. I was perplexed by mentions of the album’s critical panning because I was under the impression that the album’s release was met with mostly positive reviews. So, my curiosity (and bad weather) prompted me to check out some reviews, including those in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, AllMusic, Ultimate Classic Rock and The Guardian. All those reviews ranged from good to very good. Robert Christgau hated the album and a few other critics did not think highly of it, but overall the album was well received. It reached #7 in the U.S.on the Billboard 200 chart and #9 in the U.K. That success surprised me because I do not think it is a good album. No song on it grabbed me, personally. I guess “The Who” name and the 24-year absence of new songs generated sales. That is all well and good, but it doesn’t affect my opinion of “Endless Wire.” To my ears, the songs on the album are weak and forgettable. Roger Daltrey delivers many of them with a guttural voice. He shows no signs of his vocal capabilities. That’s so surprising to me because ten years after the release of “Endless Wire,” I saw “The Who Hits 50!” tour with a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden. After the concert, people, including me, were raving about how great his voice sounded. On the album, there is some really good guitar playing. But, as you pointed out, the almost unnoticeable presence of the bass guitar and the drums makes it seem more appropriate for the album to have been released under the name of “Daltrey and Townshend,” not The Who. But, as you said, The Who “name” is what attracts concert ticket and record buyers. Pete Townshend has two absolutely phenomenal rock operas of which to be proud. However, I think little of the mini rock opera, “Wire and “Glass,” which closes out “Endless Wire.” Maybe my opinion would be different if it was fleshed out beyond the mostly short running times of the songs. I can only call an album “trash” if it is truly unlistenable. I think “Endless Wire” is far from that, but also very far from being a treasure.
@@ronalaurence4105 Remember that when this album was being recorded, they were on a long tour, and Roger Daltrey was having serious vocal problems that forced him to stop singing on several shows
@@ronalaurence4105 Thank you for your always illuminating comments and deep dive into the topic. Don't be impressed by the chart positions. The album in the US sold terribly. At that time, and now, relatively minimal opening week sales can get a good chart position only for the album to disappear quickly. The Who released different versions of the album to get the fans to buy it again (they did it again for the follow up Who album as well). Endless Wire is by far my least favorite Who album in their discography. It "angered" me because after waiting 24 years for Townshend to release a Who album, he released this mess. Beyond that the "mini-opera has little to no substance", overall the songs are mediocre at best. But none of that "angered" me. What did was releasing this mess as a Who album when it's not. The Who, as you well know, were one of the greatest bands ever with each quarter of the band contributing to create a greater whole. Otherwise it would be another Townshend solo album with Daltrey vocals which is what this is. The two of them weren't even together (nor were they on the Who followup). And it sounds like it. Here's my tunes, now add your vocals. Beyond that, the band should be playing together and playing off each other. They are not. This is mostly all Townshend. The bass is buried in the background and the drums are pedestrian at best. And they had Zak Starkey at the time, but he couldn't make the album. Well Townshend should have waited and done a true Who album. All of this left me cold and still does. The follow up was much better but still a Townshend album with Daltrey adding vocals. Better drums and bass though. The Kenney Jones albums, much hated by most, are far superior to these two albums. And this is coming from a huge Who fan.
You’ve made great points regarding “Endless Wire.” Thanks for reminding me of the fleeting nature of chart positions. I got taken in by the numbers without checking out the album’s longevity at its peak positions. And thank you for informing me about the release of different versions of the album to increase sales. I was unaware of that. It certainly is an important variable in gauging sales of the album. Nevertheless, as I’ve written before in my replies to some of your other videos, I don’t believe that album sales and album quality go hand in hand. Sometimes they do; oftentimes they do not. When it comes to mass appeal of an album, so many factors come into play. Excellence is not necessarily one of those factors in every case. Thus, chart positions and sales numbers matter not if an album is not good or is downright bad. I can practically feel your anger about “Endless Wire” being a huge (to say the least) letdown after 24 years of waiting for a new Who album. I wholeheartedly agree that “Endless Wire” is a Pete Townshend album that was handed off to Roger Daltrey for vocals. As I previously stated, the bass and the drums are almost unnoticeable on “Endless Wire” and the songs are unmemorable. When I first heard the album, upon its release, I thought that this album should not have been put out under the name of, arguably, the world’s greatest rock band - as The Rolling Stones are, pretty much, universally considered to be the world’s greatest rock ‘N’ ROLL band.
@@tarrtruck2869 Endless Wire is the most disappointing because I waited 24 years for the Who, my 2nd favorite band, to release a new album, and they had a great new drummer with Zak Starkey as their drummer (but didn't use on the album). And with all that anticipation, they dumped Endless Wire....as per my review. Jazz is probably the worst album I own, but as I'm not much of a Queen fan...not really a disappointment....just a terrible album, I'll never listen to again.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow And by the way, Unless you are invited to his birthday party, you should do a very special show celebrating Mick's 80th birthday on Wednesday 🍾🎂🎁
@@davidkunzli680 I’m definitely not invited. Lol. I already did a comprehensive video on Jaggers solo career. I’m a big fan of it. Sorely underrated. But based on views nobody else is interested in it.
I was lucky enougth to see The WHO 4 or 5 time's in 1964/5 up to MY GENERATION. My favourite track by them, is BALD HEADED WOMAN flip of "Can't explain". Never bought one of their album's. At that time they were 2nd best, live to GENO WASHINGTON & THE RAM JAM BAND. {Who never managed to produce even a half decent recording !} I lived 50 mile's out side London and would see a Top Chart Band EVERY WEEK. {Sometime 2 or 3 over a weekend}. THOSE WERE THE DAY'S, as they say. Keith when he broke a drum stick {quite often} would throw it at / into the audiance. These were DANCE'S. We didn't LISTEN to the band's, they were there for us to DANCE TO. As they only had one or two "HIT'S" {like most of the band's} they all played a pretty standard collection of R&B tune's. Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry often covered the most.... Hope that's of some interest. >>> I think being a British Teenager then, "WAS THE BEE'S KNEE'S".... I'm still singing {to myself} HOPE I DIE BEFORE I GET OLD.... I guess it'll come one day but at 75 I'm still enjoying listening to music @ FULL VOLUME.
Wow wow wow - I loved this!!!! I've seen tons of footage of The Who and others performing at those "dances" - AND YOU WERE THERE!!!!! That's insane. Bald Headed Woman was your favorite....Ok that's funny. Never even heard of Geno Washington but I guess that's because they didn't release any good records. So you're the living embodiment of Quadrophenia? I live vicariously through that film (and music), though I could never have been a Mod. Though I do ride a scooter (a Honda though LOL). Thanks for filling us in. This is great. I miss those days....even though I never actually lived it in the first place.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Yeah, I was a 'MOD'. One of 2 living in my village {full of Rocker's. LOL Dangerous time's. } Had a Lambretta and went out 3 or 4 time's each weekend. {Sunday afternoon's with local band's, who probably played for Free} This was when band Member's probably got paid as much as some of us watching them ! (£5.00 / £10..00 a week.} The Promoter of our venue alway's had at least one "Chart Artist" on each week. Crazy as it sound's, IT WAS NO BIG DEAL to be dancing to a band with a top ten single in the chart's, once or twice a week. Geno was an Black American serviceman who stayed in the UK & us 'Mod's" would travel mile's to where ever he was playing..... Just watched your Vid on Live show's.... I was about to "Give Up" on watching Vinyl Collecting thread's as it seemed to me, they were all commenting on the same stuff and it came over as being "SNOBBY" & A BIT UN-GENUINE ! You're INTERESTING and arn't afraid to mention 'little & unknown' Artist's PLUS we seem to have similar muic like's.... How often we gonna see the Ozark's mentioned ?????????????? I've just ordered Antigone Rising - From The Ground Up. Thank's for the suggestion.
@@HTJB60 Thank you do much again. You’re making me feel so good. Nice to know there’s validation in what I’m doing and trying to do. I keep seeing those Quadrophenia scenes in my head and that was you. You must love that movie. A Lambretta. Oh my. Did you really have all those mirrors on them. So cool. I went to Bristol just to see the Quadrophenia landmarks see actual Lambrettas and ride the Helter Skelter on the pier. Amazing
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow No mine was very plain. My father did it up for me, using 'rattle can' paint. Having a girl on the back somehow made the Scooter go better. They knew how to lay-back on it. I was Jealous of the guy's with Vespa's. I've never seen Quadrophenia. The odd scene's I've seen on youtube make me squirm ! Ditto the silly remark's people say on youtube about's Mod's etc. It wasn't like that ! We were in to dancing {& music} and yes a group of Guy's would dance together. Clothes & Dancing were very high on a 'Mod's Priority list'. And no, I never ventured to the Seaside, either.... I expect San Francisco was VERY DIFFERENT too. Reality normally is. { As a 27 year old Hippy {about 75?} me and a few other's use to go to PUNK Venue's / Dance's & get on great with them. Pogoing with long hair we use to tell them "must be more fun than with a 'skin head' hair cut. LOL} I even introduced the to Patti Smith's album HORSE'S.... REALITY AGAIN. The PRESS got so much wrong.
@@HTJB60 Interesting. I meant to say Brighton, not Bristol. I guess better sometimes to live in our imaginations than the reality...lol. I think you should watch Quadrophenia. Personally one of my all time favorite movies. And for you, even if it's different than the reality, probably still a thrill, if for anything else, for what they got wrong compared to your experience. The dance hall scenes are great though, as is the music.
I really like the single they did in 2004 "real good looking boy" . It felt like the band all working together. I think that is a top tier who song.
Yea - I bought the compilation album Then & Now just because it had that song and another Old Red Wine. But yea Real Good Looking Boy was better than enything on Endless Wire. Thanks.
I agree with your sentiments completely regarding Endless Wire....it fell flat upon that first listen. Thankfully the tour was much better and the ending with the song "Tea and Theatre" was a nice way to finish the show.
Thanks. Yea I kind of enjoyed the sentimental ending with Tea And Theatre. Maybe a little, I don't know, sentimental...to me seemed slightly show bizzy, I don't know, but considering all that Townshend had been through and Daltrey always stood by him - I'm sure was genuine.
Fascinating stuff, Alan. I swerved this album at the time despite being a big Who fan. I kept thinking about buying it, but never did - partly due to the reviews,. It's totally baffling why they didn't wait for Zak Starkey. Another great video. I'd be interested to hear what you think about the latest Who album. Apparently, they recorded their parts separately, not together. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks so much. I talk about their latest album in my Who album ranking video. Like you said they recorded it separately and it sounds like it but it’s a much better album than Endless Wire. Still wish it was a better album too. Thanks so much.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Ahh, thanks so much, Alan. Actually, I think I watched it and that's probably where I picked up that information about the separate recording. I'll watch it again. Great respect for your reviews. I quite like 'It's Hard'. At the time, 'Eminence Front' was my favourite. As you say, more of a Townsend solo. Just to add to what you said, you can tell on 'Who are You' that Keith Moon's drumming lacked power. My brother and I used to listen to that album a lot at the time it came out. For some reason, my name does not come up when I post on You Tube. I'm now 'user...' Thanks again, Alan. David Butterworth
@@DavidButterworth-z3z Thanks David for your awesome comments as always. Like you said, I bought Who Are You at the time it came out, and I found it a bit odd that no one was commenting on the lack of Moonie on the drums on the album. He's virtually not there except for the title track. Only years later did it come out, they almost fired him twice in the making of the album and the terrible shape he was in. Sad. I agree with you - It's Hard and Face Dances are fine albums. Certainly different Who albums from the prime Moon years, but fine all the same. Thanks again David.
By the way - Thanks for the recommend, dig your channel. I'm subscribed and I always give you a Thumbs Up on videos I watch.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it
Face Dances holds a very special place for me. It's one of first albums I ever bought with my own money. Still love it. Will defend it to the end. It's Hard I was really excited for back in 1982. But it just didn't click with me, except for Athena. But a few years ago I gave it a new listen and I like it a lot more now then I did then. As for Endless Wire.... it is like Van Halen III to me. I've tried and tried and tried to get into this album but no matter how many times I listen to it I just can't dig it at all. Good assesement on this one. WHO I thought was pretty good.
Thanks. Funny I thought Athena was a really weak single. Kind of killed the album. I think it’s a fine album. Love Eminence Front. The Entwistle songs are fairly strong on its Hard. Yes Face Dances has a lot of really good songs on it. Another Tricky Day. Don’t let go the Coat. Better You Bet. Cache Cache. I thought The Who was initially really good with Kenney Jones.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow we're gonna have to have our big battle one day about Achtung Baby and Athena.
@@STEVEHEROLD Oh my..........Achtung Baby is truly one of the greatest albums of all time...and my favorite U2 album. And Athena is a fairly harmless anemic Who song, that's not terrible but kind of a wimpy single for The Who. But Eminence Front....now that's awesome. I actually like a lot of It's Hard.
I never listen to Endless Wire, but I can't wait for the 11disc Super Deluxe Edition to be released 😂🤣
Yep - gonna be epic - gotta start saving for that one.
I remember listening to this the first time… Let’s go back to about 1978 and my brother gives me his copy of The Who By Numbers, and I LOVED it. I remember being told in 1982/3 «that was the final Who album» (it’s hard) and then all those years later, after losing John, they release a new album!
I nearly threw the damned thing against the wall.
Rarely have I been this… disgusted, by something recorded by my heroes. St: Anger probably comes close.
It litterally sounds like Daltrey is handed some written notes of rambling nonsense and is told to just make up something that may pass as a melody on the spot and then the music is filled in after. La la la la title la la la… oh, we’re still going?
How this album wasn’t massacred at the time I’ll never understand.
And don’t get me started on that cover. It makes Iron Maiden’s Dance of Death look cool!
Love your comment. Glad to know I wasn’t the only Who fan who not only thought this album sucked but it actually got me angry. 24 years for this shit
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Thanks Alan.
I still can’t fathom it.
But hey, if we want something good from them this fall, it’ll only cost us 350 US$!
I grew up with the ‘OO’ and would buy everything by them!! But starting with ‘ by numbers’ my interest wained.. but we saw them in 1980after Keith died.. I’ll buy any who record just because!! I just started listening to the endless wire.. I really liked it!! Odds and sods was highly underrated!! I’m a who fan but we’re all getting old🤔😘
Well As a huge fan as well, I'm really glad you liked Endless Wire. It's all personal and if you brought you joy that's awesome. But Who By Numbers (which really is just an OK Who album - though How Many Friends is a personal all time favorite) is on another planet of greatness compared to Endless Wire - at least for me. Thanks. Yea Odds And Sods is awesome. Pure And Easy another all time fave.
When I've met Pete Townshend he spends ages talking to my mum about Tinnitus a permanent ringing in your ears. They both have it. My mum isn't a who fan or rock fan😂. I want to talk about rock music😂. Strange but true.
You know Townshend - well how cool is that. If I ever met him, one of the things I would ask him is about Endless Wire - he waited 24 years to do a Who album and Zak Starkey apparently wasn't available for this. So why didn't he wait a little longer and do a Who album with Zak who obviously is so perfect with the band. This album doesn't sound like the Who at all. Just Townshend with overdubs and little to no drums or bass.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow seen the who alot in UK met them alot there ok guy's. Jethro tull I've seen 100+ met Ian his wife his son his daughter again ok guy. I'm rock mad so everything rock since 1975 age 11 at 59 I'm worse buy more but no gigs I've seen 1'000+ seen the best at there best. New albums always suck but we collectors still buy them.
@@markhughes5444 wow. I don’t know who you are but you blow me away. Oh the stories you could tell. You should have a channel. I always think I’m a big fan until I meet someone like you. Truly awesome. Thanks for sharing on a personal level. Though they always say don’t meet your heroes. Though really they’re not heroes to me. Well. Maybe a little. Lol
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow no I'm a private guy so no RUclips. Music is my life. My dad was the same. He hung with Clapton Jeff beck the same as I hung with Motorhead thin Lizzy etc. Most rock stars are okay. Some are difficult Peter Gabriel axel rose etc. But now meeting rock stars is much more difficult. Shania twain the best I met we talked for an hour at her request. My collection is very varied from Joni Mitchell to Megadeath.
@@markhughes5444 I totally respect your privacy. And it's actually very cool how humble you are. If I had relationships with rock stars....yea, I'd probably talk about. By the way, and you may not believe this, I'm not star struck person at all. But would love to speak with rock stars regarding their music and decisions musically. And I'd love to tell them where I think they went wrong...lol.. I've met a few outside of shows where they signed some rare stuff I have so I can frame them. Most were very nice and some were amazed I kept this stuff. Hung out at an art museum with Ron Wood and his wife at the time and spoke for like 5 minutes. He was very nice and wanted me to buy one of his paintings. I told him way out of my price range and he laughed. Thanks so much for watching my videos and commenting. I really appreciate it.
Hi Alan - I had to admit I really like Endless Wire as an album incl "the fragments" - but way too little Zak!
Certainly glad you like it, but for a "Who" album, so little drums (and bass) and yea desperately missing Zak.
Thanks for the information!!! I think I’ll stick with Gordon Lightfoot’s Endless Wire instead. Lightfoot’s EW is an absolute treasure!!!
Never heard of that one, but I'm sure it's better than this one.
I agree with most of your comments, but your missing two original band members. Do you expect the old WHO sound without John and Keith - Come on man!! But Pete and Roger are phenomenal. So it is a keeper!! By the way - I just bought the version you have. See below comments.
It’s not that I expected the old Who sound. Especially with Entwistle gone and Palladino not even attempting to replicate that bass sound that was never going to happen. But the drums and bass are virtually non existent. Especially the drums. And that was very frustrating to me because they had their perfect replacement drummer already playing with them in Starkey. If the had already waited 24 years for this they should’ve waited for Starkey to be available and all play together live as that is what the Who should sound like.
You're spot on, a very disappointing album and we say rubbish instead of trash :)
I live the word rubbish. Wish I could use it here.
I’ll never listen to it again only listened once!
One of the few albums that actually made me angry. Waited all those years for that mess - he couldn't have waited a bit more to have some real powerful drums on it from Zak Starkey. I didn't understand then and still don't.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow I know many Who fanatics “who” are still angry!
Choose the first two enteistles solo lps instead. The framp is all over whistle rhymes. Apron strings an all time fave song
those early Entwistle albums are fun - kind of guilty pleasures and yes Frampton adds his magic dust on them.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow only whistle rhymes. Walsh featured on smash your head. Nothing guilty about these two. Sheer pleasure
@@SpenceCurry Thanks. Also love the title track of Too Late The Hero - what a song - maybe Joe Walsh if I remember right?
Your right on Alan.I had a really hard time listening to this album.Your right also why not wait for Zac.Trash for sure Alan
Thanks Tom. Yea terrible drum and bass sound on the album. And for The Who makes no sense at all
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow I did think their newer album was a big impovement.Not like the old material but not bad
@@thomaswery3087 I thought it was a big improvement too. I bought two different versions. But still had that sound of Townshend doing it and sending to Daltrey to add his bits. But not as blatant and yes a far superior album.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow Endless Wire is equivalent to Yes's Heaven and Earth lol
@@thomaswery3087 Interesting analogy. I bought Heaven and Earth, listened to it once and dumped it. I decided I could no longer "support" Yes without Jon Anderson (Drama being the exception). Haven't bought another new Yes album since. I certainly have "supported" The Who, even though they should have continued as Daltrey / Townshend, but I understand the branding and they wouldn't draw without The Who name. It worked out well for them, but The Who musically really kind of died after Entwistle, to me anyway.
I seem to be alone in liking this album a lot. It contains a lot of great songs: And God Spoke of Marty Robbins, Mike Post Theme, Black Widow’s Eyes, Pick Up The Peace. All solid tracks in my humble opinion. Yes, not on a par with The Who in their pomp but still better than It’s Hard and Face Dances (and I quite liked that one).
My one criticism, it’s a pastiche in many ways. They seem to be imitating their late sixties/ seventies sound without breaking new ground. Townshend still fixated on the abortive Lifehouse project. I think he should either abandon it for once and for all or go all out and finally do the Lifehouse album. He tried on this, Psychoderelict. I think if he combined elements of that album, Who’s Next and the Wire and Glass opera he could have a classic on his hands.
C’mon Pete! You know you wanna!
Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad you like Endless wire. I still stick with my comments though. Lol. The upcoming who is next super deluxe, should be really interesting, and will cover a lot of ground for Lifehouse. Thanks again.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow yes, but it is going to cost a small fortune
Yes I know - a big fortune. I have all the other Who mega boxes, but I'll be holding off for this one for a long while hoping the price will drop. It did on the others over time. @@simonholyoak8869
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow sounds like a plan mate👍
The Who is a much better band than Queen. Pete Townshend legendary guitarist and lyricist; Roger Daltrey legendary singer; John Entwistle legendary Bass and everything else; Keith Moon legendary Drummer. This album without John and Keith - great signing and guitar playing. I just bought new for 5.00 and 3.92 shipping - 21 tracks on disk 1 and 2; 5 tracks on DVD. What I've listen to thus far is far superior to much of Queen. I wouldn't buy a Queen album on a say so. I did with THE WHO!!
Lol. The Who are my 2nd favorite band and I don’t really like Queen at all. So yea no comparison. Hope you enjoy Endless Wire more than me.
The Who's run of studio albums from 1967 to 1975 is probably my favourite set of albums, only challenged by the Genesis albums from 1970 to 1976. Unfortunately, Endless Wire continued their sequence of disappointing later albums. It's mediocre as far as I'm concerned. Far too many songs from the album were featured on the 2007 tour.
2019's WHO album is much better and in my mind their best since The Who By Numbers in 1975.
Yea The Who run is incredible. I did a video on it. The Genesis run you mentioned is also incredible. I’d include Seconds Out too. Love that live album. I agree Who By Numbers was their last essential album. Trick of the Light to me was the highlight of Who are You. Very spotty album. .
Is not their best but has some excelente songs.
I’m certainly glad you really like it. I think it has a couple of songs that could have been really good but not with the production and lack of drums and bass on the album. Sound like Townsend demos
It is disappointing for sure when your second favorite rock band makes you wait almost a quarter of a century for a new album and that album does nothing for you. The Who is one of my most favorite bands, but, for whatever reason, I never heard all of “Endless Wire” until today. After listening to it twice, I formulated my opinion. Then, I watched your video about it and read comments from your viewers. I was perplexed by mentions of the album’s critical panning because I was under the impression that the album’s release was met with mostly positive reviews. So, my curiosity (and bad weather) prompted me to check out some reviews, including those in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, AllMusic, Ultimate Classic Rock and The Guardian. All those reviews ranged from good to very good. Robert Christgau hated the album and a few other critics did not think highly of it, but overall the album was well received. It reached #7 in the U.S.on the Billboard 200 chart and #9 in the U.K. That success surprised me because I do not think it is a good album. No song on it grabbed me, personally. I guess “The Who” name and the 24-year absence of new songs generated sales. That is all well and good, but it doesn’t affect my opinion of “Endless Wire.” To my ears, the songs on the album are weak and forgettable. Roger Daltrey delivers many of them with a guttural voice. He shows no signs of his vocal capabilities. That’s so surprising to me because ten years after the release of “Endless Wire,” I saw “The Who Hits 50!” tour with a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden. After the concert, people, including me, were raving about how great his voice sounded. On the album, there is some really good guitar playing. But, as you pointed out, the almost unnoticeable presence of the bass guitar and the drums makes it seem more appropriate for the album to have been released under the name of “Daltrey and Townshend,” not The Who. But, as you said, The Who “name” is what attracts concert ticket and record buyers. Pete Townshend has two absolutely phenomenal rock operas of which to be proud. However, I think little of the mini rock opera, “Wire and “Glass,” which closes out “Endless Wire.” Maybe my opinion would be different if it was fleshed out beyond the mostly short running times of the songs. I can only call an album “trash” if it is truly unlistenable. I think “Endless Wire” is far from that, but also very far from being a treasure.
@@ronalaurence4105 Remember that when this album was being recorded, they were on a long tour, and Roger Daltrey was having serious vocal problems that forced him to stop singing on several shows
@@ronalaurence4105 Thank you for your always illuminating comments and deep dive into the topic. Don't be impressed by the chart positions. The album in the US sold terribly. At that time, and now, relatively minimal opening week sales can get a good chart position only for the album to disappear quickly. The Who released different versions of the album to get the fans to buy it again (they did it again for the follow up Who album as well). Endless Wire is by far my least favorite Who album in their discography. It "angered" me because after waiting 24 years for Townshend to release a Who album, he released this mess. Beyond that the "mini-opera has little to no substance", overall the songs are mediocre at best. But none of that "angered" me. What did was releasing this mess as a Who album when it's not. The Who, as you well know, were one of the greatest bands ever with each quarter of the band contributing to create a greater whole. Otherwise it would be another Townshend solo album with Daltrey vocals which is what this is. The two of them weren't even together (nor were they on the Who followup). And it sounds like it. Here's my tunes, now add your vocals. Beyond that, the band should be playing together and playing off each other. They are not. This is mostly all Townshend. The bass is buried in the background and the drums are pedestrian at best. And they had Zak Starkey at the time, but he couldn't make the album. Well Townshend should have waited and done a true Who album. All of this left me cold and still does. The follow up was much better but still a Townshend album with Daltrey adding vocals. Better drums and bass though. The Kenney Jones albums, much hated by most, are far superior to these two albums. And this is coming from a huge Who fan.
You’ve made great points regarding “Endless Wire.” Thanks for reminding me of the fleeting nature of chart positions. I got taken in by the numbers without checking out the album’s longevity at its peak positions. And thank you for informing me about the release of different versions of the album to increase sales. I was unaware of that. It certainly is an important variable in gauging sales of the album. Nevertheless, as I’ve written before in my replies to some of your other videos, I don’t believe that album sales and album quality go hand in hand. Sometimes they do; oftentimes they do not. When it comes to mass appeal of an album, so many factors come into play. Excellence is not necessarily one of those factors in every case. Thus, chart positions and sales numbers matter not if an album is not good or is downright bad. I can practically feel your anger about
“Endless Wire” being a huge (to say the least) letdown after 24 years of waiting for a new Who album. I wholeheartedly agree that “Endless Wire” is a Pete Townshend album that was handed off to Roger Daltrey for vocals. As I previously stated, the bass and the drums are almost unnoticeable on “Endless Wire” and the songs are unmemorable. When I first heard the album, upon its release, I thought that this album should not have been put out under the name of, arguably, the world’s greatest rock band - as The Rolling Stones are, pretty much, universally considered to be the world’s greatest rock ‘N’ ROLL band.
It all sounded better live
From what I’ve heard. Not much. Lol. But yea better drums which it desperately needed.
Endless Wire? TRASH!
Yep - most disappointing album I've ever purchased probably.
Most disappointing over "Jazz" by Queen?
@@tarrtruck2869 Endless Wire is the most disappointing because I waited 24 years for the Who, my 2nd favorite band, to release a new album, and they had a great new drummer with Zak Starkey as their drummer (but didn't use on the album). And with all that anticipation, they dumped Endless Wire....as per my review. Jazz is probably the worst album I own, but as I'm not much of a Queen fan...not really a disappointment....just a terrible album, I'll never listen to again.
Yep, that just about covers it. Clear and Simple.
Nothing really memorable on that album. I think I played it twice in 2006. So boring. Trash.
Thanks. We are in agreement. What a disappointment after a 24 year wait.
I never listen to Endless Wire, but I can't wait for the 11disc Super Deluxe Edition to be released 😂🤣
I’m with you on both of your comments.
@@TheAlanRosenbergShow And by the way, Unless you are invited to his birthday party, you should do a very special show celebrating Mick's 80th birthday on Wednesday 🍾🎂🎁
@@davidkunzli680 I’m definitely not invited. Lol. I already did a comprehensive video on Jaggers solo career. I’m a big fan of it. Sorely underrated. But based on views nobody else is interested in it.