I bought this boxset three weeks ago, cost me a lot, 313$ CAN, but it was worth it. Very beautiful boxset with lots of PERTINENT contents. For now I’ve listened to disks 1 through 6. I found myself unexpectedly enjoying the Pete Townshend démos a lot, and I usually don’t care a lot about demos. Anyway, I was able to get it thanks to a juicy tax return. Who’s Next is my favorite Who album, followed by a very very close second by Quadrophenia. I never get bored with it, even when listening to Won’t Get Fooled Again or Babba O’Riley, which have been played to death on the radio, of course. Been a very busy month boxsetwise for me, since I got hold of a copy of Pink Floyd’s Early Years boxset last March. I’m just realizing that in a month’s time I bought the two most expensive boxsets that are now in my collection. Oh my... 😅
Hi Phil, Thanks for your advice about the Book, and the badges damaging the photo, I managed to get a copy, and the seller actually checked carefully to see if the contents were damaged, and thankfully everything is fine. The Box is heavy!! and the whole package is superb, the best box set that I have in my collection. I will read the book soon enough, I like the posters, and the badges. A treasure for any Who fan. The Live recording's are Incredible too, it adds a nice compliment to the rest of the package. The Demo's are also really good, I wish all box sets were like this one.
Thank you for doing such an insightful job analysing the box! The expanded versions of Relay and other tracks are thrilling, as are the San Francisco concert tracks. The sound quality of everything is brilliant. I spent £220. I had never bought any of the other Who boxes, but this one really was too important to pass over. I have to say that I think it's worth every penny - so much trouble has been taken with all books and music. Relay is my favourite Who single - the expanded version is absolutely wonderful, all the synth work and Pete's guitar are sparkling. Agree with you about the prescient lyrics!
Tremendous review. So , if my calculations are correct/ like around $250.00. Dollars 🇺🇸. PRE/ college for my two daughters/ I’m probably IN- unfortunately/ that’s not the case( lol). - I’m OUT- but what a set up. You do tremendous reviews/ box sets/ shows. Phil. Much enjoyed 👍💯
Hallo Phil, this album is a masterpiece , as a Who fan I bought it when it came out in 1971 and to this day it is one of my favourite albums. The box set looks great, but with all the nice box sets you have shown us I have to prioritise and you can guess which box set is my choice which you recently presented in your usual convincing honest way😉
Hello Phil! Yesterday, I purchased a copy of the Who's Next package for about £168! I can only hope that this one is the first class package as represented on your ace review and not the one with the missing pages etc. For that price, my fingers are crossed!! STOP PRESS!!!!!! I just ditched the £168 order for a £129 copy just received and it is wonderfull!! Everything in its place including an extra poster!! How one aquired all this for £60 including postage and packaging is, frankly, astonishing!
Phil, after reading your review I checked my book: all the pages are there AND in order. IMO, I would go back to Polydor and insist on a replacement. At that price you deserve it.
You know, I wondered today what the status is on your problems with this box. Because today I received the "The Who Sell Out Super Deluxe Edition" and it reminded me of it. Well, I'm far from having to say anything about this yet. So, the topic at hand. "Who's Next" is my favorite Album by The Who. I had to get this Box and it's one of my favorite toys since it got here. I'm a Comic Book Guy, too. So that's a plus. It's a good piece of work, very nice art. Feels very British judging by the UK-Comics I've read in my life. I loved the other Book, too. Full of information about the Album and of course "Life House". While I read it I thought "that's MATRIX". But they never got there. They did mention "Neuromancer" by William Gibson which was an influence for "The Matrix", though. So I thought to myself back in the late 90s, when the others saw "The Matrix" they finally got "Life House". Man, Pete was ahead of his time, wasn't he? Must've been really frustrating at times. Well, I don't thinnk I can add much to the Album which hasn't been said before. The Live Stuff is great. And those Demos would be fully developed Songs for other Bands. They are amazing. It's a hard to pick a favorite Disc. In most cases the CD with the Demos on it is something I'm listening to once or twice and then never again. These here are awesome. Very interesting to compare different versions of Songs, getting to know their creation process a little bit better. It's just fantastic. I was wondering about those Sets for "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia". But other than the Books the contents don't really convince me. If I wouldn't have those Albums, maybe. "Sell Out" I didn't have and it's other stuff is more interesting, especially "The Road to Tommy" I was interested in. Well, still something to discover. It's pretty much build in the same way. Difference is, that the Discs are held within the Book and there's no Comic Book of course. I was looking at my Tull-Sets. Those are easier to store for sure. Still, not everything needs to be in the same format, I think. So I'll have to find a place for those big suckers. Thanks for another great video/review, Phil.
I just listened to the unreleased, unedited "Join Together" that appears on this; and during the bridge section we hear the same alternate flute track that, for years, was only heard in the closing bars on the Thirty Years of Maximum R&B version (and in the greatest-hits sets My Generation: The Very Best of The Who and 20th Century Masters).
Fantastic video & review, Phil. I've got that 2-disc Legacy Edition version from some years back, but this set is just bursting with extra stuff (both music-wise and paraphernalia), so I'm very tempted. The timing is a bit unfortunate, as I'd feel guilty spending that sort of money on myself so close to the holidays, so maybe after the Christmas dust settles, I'll be able to take the leap. Thanks for your in-depth unboxing and very glad that your booklet issue has been rectified!
Beautiful review my friend I can not agree with this review more you hit every aspect of this fantastic set right on The head of the nail and I agree my 2 favorite WHO songs was always the relay and join together you said everything I thought fantastic review please keep up the good work and guys if you do not have this set just like Phil said buy it now because it’s getting more scarce by the day to find and the price is going sky high ,keep up the good work mate can not wait for your next review --- Anthony
Phil, I didn't have time earlier but I wanted to mention something else important as a general rule regarding your comments about keeping the previous single and two disc versions for the different pictures and essay and such. It's not just that, there are different edits as well. As a completist I've learned the hard way multiple times to keep my old versions. For example, check out Pure and Easy on those two earlier versions. One is 4:19 and the other is 4:31. But the 4:19 one is not just shorter, it's a different edit. check out both around 3:29, on the shorter version Pete's heavy guitar chords are more "naked" and powerful to me because the vocals come in after. On the 4:31 version the vocals start much sooner on top of those power chords. I went back and rebought the earlier version (which I gave away) when noticed this. A similar thing happened with Shakin' All Over on Live at Leeds. Different edits. And also in a more egregious way, as you've pointed out in the past, with No Quarter on TSRTS. It probably doesn't matter to most fans, but I know you have detailed ears with this stuff like I do.
Ouah great box set !!!❤ Je suis en amour avec ce groupe depuis l'achat de mon premier 45 tours 4 titres MY GENERATION in 1966 ! THANKS Phil 😊 i love the Book!
Would love to know what exactly Pete Townsend had in mind with Lifehouse. A written book/article by him would be great. Ive had Whos Next and Who came First since '72 and love them.
Hi Phil, A Merry Christmas to you and you Family. Great unboxing video of a classic album, possibly the Who's best. I bought the Half Speed Vinyl a few weeks ago, thought the Big Box was a bit pricey at £200+. But I managed to get hold of a copy yesterday for £125.00, which I feel is reasonable. Not sure how many versions of this album I have acquired over the years, but it is special. I can you there are also Half Speed Vinyl versions of Quadrophenia and The Who By Numbers coming out next month. Take care Phil and a a great Christmas break. 😁
I love this video, and I appreciate your passion, Phil, but for me it's a matter of space. I don't have a place for something this massive. Again, thanks for your thoughts on this box set.
And now I've seen it. I'll give my thoughts in a seperate answer. I have to say, that I'm a bit shocked that you had to buy it a second time. Should've been a warranty thing as far as I'm concerned.
Great overview of the box set contents and review. I can see how much it means to you and that makes the video extra special - you have a new subscriber to the channel. I look forward to opening my own copy on Christmas Day.
Excellent review phil ,unfortunately out of our price range especially this time of year ,however thank you for the information you can stream it ,especially the live albums will create excitement within the household ,BRILlANT and passionate re view ,thank you 👍🎸🎸🎸😎
Phil, I got the set from Amazon US for $199. Nice set but the group 8 x10 photo got dinged by the buttons. It's too much trouble to exchange, but that should never have happened!
I've had my box for awhile Phil and love it.But all of the Who's boxsets are great.They really cover everything in this box.Just wondering Phil were there many other boxsets that had that screwy book
@@NowSpinningMagazine Phil, I need to ask you something VERY dumb and it's rather embarrassing....as I said in my earlier comment, I purchased the "album/s" and what I foolishly didn't recognize was that it's a 45 rpm vinyl. Uh, uhm....does one's turntable have to play at 45 rpms to hear the darn thing? I guess my initial thought (or lack thereof) was that it was a kind of half-speed Mastering and played at 33 rpm. More ignorance : do turntables have a 45 rpm setting these days ? I don't think mine does ! 🥴
Half speed mastered does not always mean 45rpm but I think The Who is. I would be very, very surprised if your turntable did not have the facility to change the speed to 45rpm. If there is not a button or switch it will be the case of taking off the platter and changing the belt on the spindle. Just google your make of turntable and ask how to do I change the speed to 45rpm? The will be a youtube video i'm sure showing you want to do! Phil
I bought this boxset three weeks ago, cost me a lot, 313$ CAN, but it was worth it. Very beautiful boxset with lots of PERTINENT contents. For now I’ve listened to disks 1 through 6. I found myself unexpectedly enjoying the Pete Townshend démos a lot, and I usually don’t care a lot about demos. Anyway, I was able to get it thanks to a juicy tax return. Who’s Next is my favorite Who album, followed by a very very close second by Quadrophenia. I never get bored with it, even when listening to Won’t Get Fooled Again or Babba O’Riley, which have been played to death on the radio, of course.
Been a very busy month boxsetwise for me, since I got hold of a copy of Pink Floyd’s Early Years boxset last March. I’m just realizing that in a month’s time I bought the two most expensive boxsets that are now in my collection. Oh my... 😅
I love this box set - was very pleased to pick it up for £100 recently. So much great music
I preordered it. It’s incredible. Disc 9 and 10 are incredible Not many live documents of the who’s next tour exist
Hi Phil, Thanks for your advice about the Book, and the badges damaging the photo, I managed to get a copy, and the seller actually checked carefully to see if the contents were damaged, and thankfully everything is fine.
The Box is heavy!! and the whole package is superb, the best box set that I have in my collection. I will read the book soon enough, I like the posters, and the badges.
A treasure for any Who fan. The Live recording's are Incredible too, it adds a nice compliment to the rest of the package. The Demo's are also really good, I wish all box sets were like this one.
Thank you for doing such an insightful job analysing the box! The expanded versions of Relay and other tracks are thrilling, as are the San Francisco concert tracks. The sound quality of everything is brilliant. I spent £220. I had never bought any of the other Who boxes, but this one really was too important to pass over. I have to say that I think it's worth every penny - so much trouble has been taken with all books and music. Relay is my favourite Who single - the expanded version is absolutely wonderful, all the synth work and Pete's guitar are sparkling. Agree with you about the prescient lyrics!
Tremendous review. So , if my calculations are correct/ like around $250.00. Dollars 🇺🇸. PRE/ college for my two daughters/ I’m probably IN- unfortunately/ that’s not the case( lol). - I’m OUT- but what a set up. You do tremendous reviews/ box sets/ shows. Phil. Much enjoyed 👍💯
Thank you 🙏
How do you know if you are buying the one with corrected book?@@NowSpinningMagazine
My fault was very very rare. They were just unlucky that it ended up with someone with a RUclips channel! Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine / love it 👍💯
Excellent review Phil! 💿
Hallo Phil, this album is a masterpiece , as a Who fan I bought it when it came out in 1971 and to this day it is one of my favourite albums. The box set looks great, but with all the nice box sets you have shown us I have to prioritise and you can guess which box set is my choice which you recently presented in your usual convincing honest way😉
Glad you got a complete who's next box set it's massive great review as always 👍
Hello Phil! Yesterday, I purchased a copy of the Who's Next package for about £168! I can only hope that this one is the first class package as represented on your ace review and not the one with the missing pages etc. For that price, my fingers are crossed!!
STOP PRESS!!!!!! I just ditched the £168 order for a £129 copy just received and it is wonderfull!! Everything in its place including an extra poster!! How one aquired all this for £60 including postage and packaging is, frankly, astonishing!
Phil, after reading your review I checked my book: all the pages are there AND in order. IMO, I would go back to Polydor and insist on a replacement. At that price you deserve it.
Fascinating review Phil which echoes my own sentiments of this album. It really is a super box set.
This is certainly the biggest most expensive box I have ever bought! But as an all-time favourite I love it!
The Who said it best "Long live rock! I need it every night"
You know, I wondered today what the status is on your problems with this box. Because today I received the "The Who Sell Out Super Deluxe Edition" and it reminded me of it. Well, I'm far from having to say anything about this yet. So, the topic at hand.
"Who's Next" is my favorite Album by The Who. I had to get this Box and it's one of my favorite toys since it got here. I'm a Comic Book Guy, too. So that's a plus. It's a good piece of work, very nice art. Feels very British judging by the UK-Comics I've read in my life.
I loved the other Book, too. Full of information about the Album and of course "Life House". While I read it I thought "that's MATRIX". But they never got there. They did mention "Neuromancer" by William Gibson which was an influence for "The Matrix", though. So I thought to myself back in the late 90s, when the others saw "The Matrix" they finally got "Life House". Man, Pete was ahead of his time, wasn't he? Must've been really frustrating at times.
Well, I don't thinnk I can add much to the Album which hasn't been said before. The Live Stuff is great. And those Demos would be fully developed Songs for other Bands. They are amazing. It's a hard to pick a favorite Disc. In most cases the CD with the Demos on it is something I'm listening to once or twice and then never again. These here are awesome. Very interesting to compare different versions of Songs, getting to know their creation process a little bit better. It's just fantastic.
I was wondering about those Sets for "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia". But other than the Books the contents don't really convince me. If I wouldn't have those Albums, maybe. "Sell Out" I didn't have and it's other stuff is more interesting, especially "The Road to Tommy" I was interested in. Well, still something to discover. It's pretty much build in the same way. Difference is, that the Discs are held within the Book and there's no Comic Book of course. I was looking at my Tull-Sets. Those are easier to store for sure. Still, not everything needs to be in the same format, I think. So I'll have to find a place for those big suckers.
Thanks for another great video/review, Phil.
Thank you 🙏 I have the Quadraphenia deluxe box set and will cover that in the new year. Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine I'm looking forward to this, Phil.
Phil, That is one Huge Box Set ! Thanks for the review and good afternoon from the U.S.A.
I just listened to the unreleased, unedited "Join Together" that appears on this; and during the bridge section we hear the same alternate flute track that, for years, was only heard in the closing bars on the Thirty Years of Maximum R&B version (and in the greatest-hits sets My Generation: The Very Best of The Who and 20th Century Masters).
Great as always, Phil! I’ve got it and I’m glad you got yours corrected.
Wow thats a box set well worth the money Phil
The Greates CD. Box..all time....Wonderfull...The Who....🎸poster Book.and more..wow...the best..👍
Fantastic video & review, Phil. I've got that 2-disc Legacy Edition version from some years back, but this set is just bursting with extra stuff (both music-wise and paraphernalia), so I'm very tempted. The timing is a bit unfortunate, as I'd feel guilty spending that sort of money on myself so close to the holidays, so maybe after the Christmas dust settles, I'll be able to take the leap. Thanks for your in-depth unboxing and very glad that your booklet issue has been rectified!
Thank you - in the UK it’s about £165 at the moment.
Beautiful review my friend I can not agree with this review more you hit every aspect of this fantastic set right on The head of the nail and I agree my 2 favorite WHO songs was always the relay and join together you said everything I thought fantastic review please keep up the good work and guys if you do not have this set just like Phil said buy it now because it’s getting more scarce by the day to find and the price is going sky high ,keep up the good work mate can not wait for your next review --- Anthony
Thank you 🙏
Phil, I didn't have time earlier but I wanted to mention something else important as a general rule regarding your comments about keeping the previous single and two disc versions for the different pictures and essay and such. It's not just that, there are different edits as well. As a completist I've learned the hard way multiple times to keep my old versions. For example, check out Pure and Easy on those two earlier versions. One is 4:19 and the other is 4:31. But the 4:19 one is not just shorter, it's a different edit. check out both around 3:29, on the shorter version Pete's heavy guitar chords are more "naked" and powerful to me because the vocals come in after. On the 4:31 version the vocals start much sooner on top of those power chords. I went back and rebought the earlier version (which I gave away) when noticed this. A similar thing happened with Shakin' All Over on Live at Leeds. Different edits. And also in a more egregious way, as you've pointed out in the past, with No Quarter on TSRTS. It probably doesn't matter to most fans, but I know you have detailed ears with this stuff like I do.
Very important comment! Thank you for sharing - Phil :)
Great & enjoyable unboxing Phil, thanks for sharing.
Ouah great box set !!!❤ Je suis en amour avec ce groupe depuis l'achat de mon premier 45 tours 4 titres MY GENERATION in 1966 !
THANKS Phil 😊 i love the Book!
Super Deluxe Review again Phil. Thank you for the memories!
Thank you 🙏
Would love to know what exactly Pete Townsend had in mind with Lifehouse. A written book/article by him would be great. Ive had Whos Next and Who came First since '72 and love them.
Hi Phil, A Merry Christmas to you and you Family. Great unboxing video of a classic album, possibly the Who's best. I bought the Half Speed Vinyl a few weeks ago, thought the Big Box was a bit pricey at £200+. But I managed to get hold of a copy yesterday for £125.00, which I feel is reasonable. Not sure how many versions of this album I have acquired over the years, but it is special.
I can you there are also Half Speed Vinyl versions of Quadrophenia and The Who By Numbers coming out next month. Take care Phil and a a great Christmas break. 😁
Thank you 🙏
Great review Phil. I do believe Santa is bringing me one 🎅
I love this video, and I appreciate your passion, Phil, but for me it's a matter of space. I don't have a place for something this massive. Again, thanks for your thoughts on this box set.
So glad that this got sorted out, Phil. Now to the Video ... 🤘
And now I've seen it. I'll give my thoughts in a seperate answer. I have to say, that I'm a bit shocked that you had to buy it a second time. Should've been a warranty thing as far as I'm concerned.
Great overview of the box set contents and review. I can see how much it means to you and that makes the video extra special - you have a new subscriber to the channel. I look forward to opening my own copy on Christmas Day.
Thank you and welcome 🙏
Glad to see it's fixed. And as always, UTFV!
🌠 good video Phil...yeah I have the basic 2 cd version of this ..which I love..great album ...beyond great ....111% off the charts
The Who yet again leave the Stones and the Beatles in the dust.
Excellent review phil ,unfortunately out of our price range especially this time of year ,however thank you for the information you can stream it ,especially the live albums will create excitement within the household ,BRILlANT and passionate re view ,thank you 👍🎸🎸🎸😎
Thanks for watching!
Great review.Whos next is a superb album and the set looks great.but the price is really expensive.most likely pass until it comes down .
Phil, I got the set from Amazon US for $199. Nice set but the group 8 x10 photo got dinged by the buttons. It's too much trouble to exchange, but that should never have happened!
Very true !
Agreed/ you pay that amount/ you should get exactly what’s advertised. Totally agree with you 👍💯
Rock on Bargain
I've had my box for awhile Phil and love it.But all of the Who's boxsets are great.They really cover everything in this box.Just wondering Phil were there many other boxsets that had that screwy book
Very few, I am aware of one other like it!
Any noise about a WHo By Numbers or Who Are You Super Deluxe release coming?
Not yet!
I also ordered the 4-lp version of this with the San Francisco show. Will you be reviewing that one?
Sorry no, I can’t justify spending anymore on this album ! Phil :)
I just bought the boxset and it was like $60 off. Damn I hope it wasn't one of the screwed up versions !
😤
My fault was very very rare ! I’m sure yours will be fine - Phil :)
@@NowSpinningMagazine Thanks Phil and BTW there's a great article (actually a couple of'em) about the new boxset in November's issue of Mojo !
@@NowSpinningMagazine Phil, I need to ask you something VERY dumb and it's rather embarrassing....as I said in my earlier comment, I purchased the "album/s" and what I foolishly didn't recognize was that it's a 45 rpm vinyl. Uh, uhm....does one's turntable have to play at 45 rpms to hear the darn thing? I guess my initial thought (or lack thereof) was that it was a kind of half-speed Mastering and played at 33 rpm. More ignorance : do turntables have a 45 rpm setting these days ? I don't think mine does ! 🥴
Half speed mastered does not always mean 45rpm but I think The Who is. I would be very, very surprised if your turntable did not have the facility to change the speed to 45rpm. If there is not a button or switch it will be the case of taking off the platter and changing the belt on the spindle. Just google your make of turntable and ask how to do I change the speed to 45rpm? The will be a youtube video i'm sure showing you want to do! Phil
@@NowSpinningMagazine Phil you're a real gentleman. Thanks for the info and the advice !
Rough Trade have it in their sale at £149.99. Bargain!
love this album and the tracks that were not on the org the lifehouse