The Who are one of those bands with a unique sound. Melodic, rhythmic, hard edged but uplifting. Their music always makes me feel good. Like The Beatles, they’re plugged into some universal energy that gives their music some special feeling. They played in the era of the best music but really stood out for me above a lot of other great bands. It’s all subjective of course but other Who fans will know what I mean.
Who's Next was recorded May-June 1971. The organ sound from tracks "Won’t Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O’Riley" was not a loop. It was actually played Pete Townshend came up with the ostinato or the repeating set of notes that opens and underlies the song and was played on a Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ using its marimba repeat feature to generate them. He stated that he used a gated Lowrey organ via EMS VCS3 gated filter. No sequencer. He just bought one of the first synthesizers available, the enormous ARP 2500 system and after recording the first few demos for Who’s Next. Baba O’Riley came out wrong as he couldn’t get the sequencers and mix-sequencers on the ARP under his fingers fast enough so he emulated sequencing and tape delays using the Marimba Arpeggiator effect on his Lowrey Berkshire.
Here is a cover of Baba O'Riley's ostinato on a real Lowrey Berkshire TBO-1 organ. Instead of a piano for the second instrumentation chords he uses the bass pedals. ruclips.net/video/BgPtksNqbCk/видео.html
I heard this album in August, 1971 ate age 17. I’ll be 70 soon and this still as fresh as when I was a teen. I was mesmerized by the opening of Baba O’Reilly and had to have it. I played it and Led Zeppelin IV on my 8-track while I was studying algebra. Let one album plat through two or three times and then swap ‘em out!
These four musicians are among the most exceptional in their respective fields. Roger Daltrey is one of the greatest voices in rock and roll history, Pete Townshend is a masterful songwriter and iconic guitar player, John Entwistle attacks the base and was called "Thunderfingers" for a reason and Keith Moon was always going insane on the drums - they modelled the Muppets' Animal after him. All in all, the Who are in the top 5 greatest and most important rock bands of all time.
@@jnagarya519 that's why I said "iconic" 😉 He's no virtuoso like Van Halen, Hendrix, Knopfler and so on, but without a doubt very influential - both in his stage presence and being one of the driving forces behind the power chord. And his style suited the band extremely well
@@blabla48076 JESUS Christ. All the fucking excuses in order to avoid the fact. I said nothing about the show he put on -- big fucking deal about "power chords; as if that were an innovation instead of a result of his extreme limitation, or about his "style" or anything else. I simply pointed to that fact that, despite all that, the DISTRACTIONS of that, he was a SHITTY guitar player.
👍 Verdy… just think…. 1971 this album (The Who-Who’s Next), Led Zeppelin IV, The Doors - LA Woman, and The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers…. All came out. Seriously. Just an Incredible year musically.
The list of great albums coming out in 1971 is a lot longer than just the four you mention. 1971 is known for being one of the best years ever for great albums.
1971 also released: black Sabbath, master of reality; yes, fragile; Jethro Tull, aqualung; John Lennon, imagine; Elton John, madman across the water. And tons more. It was the greatest single year in rock album releases.
@@victorjohnson7512 I was in high school from 1969 - 1973, started with Led Zeppelin and graduated to Dark Side of the Moon. Can't do better than that!
You're listening to one of the greatest bands of all time - perhaps even the greatest - at their peak. The musicianship across this album is at a phenomenally high level. "The Song Is Over" has to be one of rock music's best songs that must music fans have never even heard of. It's a masterpiece. I'm loving your heartfelt reaction to The Who: Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle, Moon. Legends all. A special mention must go to the great Nicky Hopkins on piano.
Yes, "avalanche drumming" is very good ! I don't know if Moon was the best drummer (as many people say and I don't care) but he was definitly on another planet. HIS planet...😉
#3 of my top records of all time most of this album is still relevant today especially "Wont Get Fooled Again" no one writes such songs anymore glad to see you experiencing it
Unquestionably, one of the greatest albums of all time. I've seen the Who in concert a couple times (my first time in 1982, so unfortunately, never seen them with Keith Moon). Truly awesome that you're reacting to this album, and I am really looking forward to your next Led Zeppelin reactions as well. Peace
This is one of my top ten favorite albums of all time. There is no "filler" on this album. Every song is great, and side two is even better than side one.
One of the best Who albums. I think that Quadrophenia was their best. Fortunately I was able to see them once before Keith died. That was on December 15th, 1975 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. They ended the concert with Won't Get Fooled Again, which was a blast. The audience went nuts. People love Led Zeppelin, the Who has it all over them in concert, not even close.
That initial electronic opening was a synthesizer, the first time The Who used synthesizers on one of their albums. That's the influence of Progressive Rock groups like King Crimson, ELP, Yes, Genesis back in the early 70s. I love that you are reacting to ENTIRE albums in song order in large chunks like by side. THIS is the way we as young teenagers in the early 70s listened to music. THE ALBUM meant something, it was a piece of art. The song order was important and especially in prog songs were placed in order that the band wanted them heard. In the 60s, people bought individual songs on 45 rpm singles. Until the Beatles came along, most albums were just random collections of singles with no concept or united theme. That changed for good with Sgt Pepper, Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed etc. THIS ALBUM was originally intended to be a "concept album" created by lead guitarist Pete Townshend called The Lifehouse Project. But it still is a themed album and collection of songs. Good timing picking this iconic album to react to (purposely?). This is the 50th anniversary of Who's Next, one of the most important and best albums in rock history. The Who are releasing huge deluxe editions of Who's Next this summer. Prior to this album, I only knew The Who from the radio hits. Who's Next was one of the first ALBUMS I bought as a young teen with my lawn cutting $$, and this album changed my view of The Who from just a good rock band to a great iconic rock band pushing the boundaries further. The whole album is a treasure and by the mid 70s, just about every teenage boy (mostly lol) in America had this album in their collection. Great job, you just got yourself a new subscriber!
I turned 13 in February of 1971; this album, especially Baba O’Riley, was the soundtrack of my teenage years. There were others, of course, but Who’s Next hit me hard.
"My Wife" - you asked about the brass/horns. This song is a gift that some seem to want to overlook. This was written by John Entwistle, the bass guitarist. I say it that way because John was a beast of a guitar player and He played the bass as He pleased; with virtuosity and volume. John, Keith Moon (Drummer), Pete Townshend (Guitar) loved to play with each other. They were free to play as hard as they wanted. John Entwistle was a gifted musician from an early age. He played french horn in school, so he played brass on Who tracks. Multi-track recording was new back then, so he was able to add another layer to the sound that Pete Townshend wanted to create.
@@js.3490 Pete wasn't a great guitar player. And "multi-track" is a form of overdubbing, which Les Paul invented, and Buddy Holly also did. And "The Beatles". So not impressive that "The Who" and everyone else did multi-track recording.
@@js.3490 And my comment was to point to the fact that Pete was not a great guitarist. In fact, he was embarrassingly mediocre. All the jumping and marching around is show -- it is not guitar playing, let alone guitar proficiency.
@@jnagarya519 Wow! I would hate to think what you might do to him if you met him one day. Glad my name is not Pete Townshend. Hey....all of you Pete Townshend's out there, beware! jnagarya519 is coming for you. Don't be the one jumping around with a guitar on some street corner. 🎸
You know an album is good when legendary songs like "Join Together", "Pure and Easy", and "Relay" were left on the cutting room floor and didn't make it onto the original release.
The Beatles, the Stones and the Who exploded out of England in the sixties. With two rock operas and dozens of hits The Who are one of the great rock bands of all time.
You've just listened to one of the truly, all time great, rock albums. A masterpiece of writing singing and instrumentation by 4 men at the peak of their creativity. Sublime!!!
When you combine the best rock bass player and drummer that ever lived with a genius songwriter guitarist, then front that combo with legendary vocals...you now have the Who. Each member lead the charge in every song.
This has always been one of my very favorite albums. My Wife showcased the talents of bassist John Entwistle. He played bass and the horns, sang the song and wrote it. Bargain was always a favorite too. The other side is even better.
For my money, "The Song Is Over" and "Getting In Tune" are the best songs on the album - but there's not a bad song on it, and I can't fault anyone with a different preference. After you're done with this one, *definitely* hit Quadrophenia. The whole album tells a story, and it's the Who's best work by far.
This album came out when I was in high school. To give you some idea of what else was popular at the time, Carole King had come out with Tapestry and it was very popular at the time. The US was mired in the Vietnam War, and sometime after Who's Next came out, they announced the end of the draft. This announcement was celebrated by playing Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant". The synthesizer mode used on some songs on Who's Next is called "Auto Arpeggiate", when the player holds down a chord, and the synthesizer sequences quickly through the notes one at a time. The synthesizers of that day were primitive by today's standards, but you are hearing what was state-of-the art for the time. If you have any doubt, listen to "Switched On Bach" or Dick Hyman's "Moog" from just a couple years earlier. 'The Song is Over" is actually continued on Pete Townshend's album Who Came First in the song "Pure & Easy".
Great reaction Verdy. Although I know you like to try new things I still prefer your album reactions above all else. Please do more of these again. :) Take care.
Go back and follow the lyrics for "My Wife". Hilarious!! Then the music imitates his running. Entwhistle sang and wrote that one. The bass player. The Ox!! A phenomenal player!! Also, note Moon's constant bombastic drumming.
This album was a classic the day it came out. No one had ever done some of these musical things before. And drummer Moon was at the very top of his game, so great. Love your reaction, now to side 2.
The songs from this album were written for a movie The Who was working on. It was about a utopian society. But the movie wasn't working out - costs were high, there was conflict and confusion. Eventually they decided to abandon the whole project. But the songs written were good and so they decided to make an album out of them. I first heard "Bargain" in 1973 on 8-track when I was 12 years old. I remember feeling that it was more like an experience than a song. And it's theme of "I'll pay any price for you" is hardly original. But Pete Townsend had me feeling like I had never heard this theme before. How he did this I'll never know!
Great reaction! You picked a fantastic LP for your intro to the Who, every song on it is memorable. I saw them live in Pittsburgh a couple years after this was released and it was an amazing concert.
You are making an excellent choices!!! I suggest the concept album Quadrophenia, the best one for me. There are also a movie of this album because it is a story. 💥
Glad you're enjoying this. The Who was my very first concert. I was 14 and we listened to this album at least 30 times in the weeks leading up to it. One of my favorite albums of all time. The lyrics to My Wife, still make me laugh to this day. 🙂
The Who are one the earliest rock bands that had an influence on later bands. Who's Next is a perfect album. Check out Who Live at Leeds the best live album and Tommy their first rock opera.
Bargain is their most underrated song. A special track and one of my top favorites. The Song Is Over is an often unknown gem with that great drone. ...Did you catch the random kick drum at 23:45? :)
The bass player, John Entwistle, played brass instruments in high school band, so he would occasionally play them on Who songs. My Wife was written and sung by him as well.
This album is filled with extraordinary, unique, and exciting rock and roll. Pete Townshend superbly performed songwriting, lyrics, brilliantly produced, and even exciting rock and roll make this a masterpiece. Roger (the Singer), Pete (Guitar/Keyboards), Keith (Drums), and John (Bass) all felt like they were the lead, all trying to outdo each other. Saw them live in 1971 - my ears are still ringing. No one played louder than the who. To get the feel of the band, watch the Videos of The Who Live At Shepperton - or the Video of The Who "Young Man Blues Isle of Wight."
That's a bit unfair to the Ox. He could and did play the bass like a lead instrument as allowed, but most of the time he acted as the rhythm anchor to compensate for Moon's extravagance.
Always a joy to watch someone hearing this for the first time! It's been 45 years since my maiden voyage.. Pete Townsend's creativity, songwriting and arrangement was in the stratosphere on this album. His mix of minimalism, sophistication and rock aggression is perfection. Stunning efforts by Roger, John and Keith was well. Not a wasted track nor moment on record. Great choice!
One of the greatest albums of all time by one of the greatest bands of all time. Glad you enjoyed it. Side 2 is amazing too. Can’t wait to see your reaction.
It is one of the greatest albums of all time. I had this classic album on 8=track (remember them) when I was a kid. Those were the days. I'm looking forward to Who's Next/Lifehouse release coming soon. Thanks for sharing this classic album.
Thanks for reacting to this great album. I was in college when this was released and we played the vinyl version over and over again. My favorite was 'My Wife', written by their superb bassist, John Entwistle. He was also the lead singer on this song. Keith Moon, the great drummer, was on fire throughout the album, and especially during this song.. For a while, Rolling Stone magazine had this listed as the greatest rock album of all time. Thanks again.
I saw these guys ONCE, in 76-77. Luckily before Keith Moon died. A friend told me, beforehand, they all HATED each other. If that was true, I know I hoped all other groups I would see would hate each other. They were FANOMINAL.
MANY years ago I was listening to an interview of Pete Townshend, and they asked him about the hypnotic music in Baba O'Riley. He said that he spent months in a studio cutting, splicing, and re-recording tape over and over to produce that sound. And then he said (in a somewhat annoyed tone) that with modern technology, an artist could do the same thing in an afternoon. I think that interview was from the early 2000's so today someone could probably do it onstage.
When they played "Baba O'Reilly" they said we will be using a recording in the intro. Knowing the tech they have today it would be a "loop" recorded digitally. Easy peasey.
One of the reasons why I love this channel is because many of the classic rock albums you choose to react to, I haven't listened to myself either. So it gives myself a chance to experience the music for the first time as well. :)
Last time I clicked your channel you were listening to Steely and now The Who. Great 70's music. Nice to see you appreciate it so much. Timeless music. Enjoy your channel my fellow Canadian...
I was introduced to The Who in college back in the 1980s. It was already anthem material at the time. Not sure if I learned more in or between classes.
"Baba O'Riley" This was the first recorded intelligent use of synthesizers in rock music. Before that, early synths had only provided ambient atmospheric tones. This was the first time they were used to compose a piece, at least on a rock album. Great record!
This is the best way to listen to all music: entire Albums at a time. This was how we all did it. Classic Album Hour was one of my favourite radio shows... I' am that old :D
It is largely forgotten just how influential the Who were. They ranked up their with the Stones, just below the Beatles. Iconic and Unique in their own right with standards that still hold up as among the greatest of Rock.
First song was used for CSI: New York opening. Very classic and exactly the song it needed. Won’t get fooled again was used for CSI: Las Vegas as the opening song.
Correction: "Who Are You" was the song for the original, Las Vegas-based CSI. Daltrey's "YEEEAHHH!" in "Won't Get Fooled Again" was heard on every opening of CSI Miami, right after David Caruso made a quip and put on his sunglasses.
A perfect choice of Who recordings to review first. An absolutely stunning album. Apart from the band’s performance on the album the unsung hero is the associate producer/mixer Glyn Lohns. His recording methods are legendary.
John Entwhistle is to the Who what John Paul Jones is to Led Zeppelin - the "brass" is John Entwhistle from memory French Horn (woodwind) was his first instrument
One of the best albums ever recorded. I often return to it, because the music is tops. I`m glad you you are listening to it and I`m glad you liked it, and of course I love your reactions, they`re sincere and I love how you describe the music and how you feel about it. That`s what me, and the rest of your subscribers like about you. Enjoy
Hi Verdi, I’d like to recommend something for you to listen to. I’d love to see what you think of the Pat Metheny tune called First Circle. I know you’ve listened to Metheny before but this is an incredible tune. It’s very complicated time signature wise but doesn’t sound complicated at all. The one I’m recommending is a live version from his live album called “The Road To You”. Thanks!
Who's Next is the best Rock @ Roll album of all time. I say the Who is second only to the Beatles. I saw the Beatles "Event" concert in Indianapolis in 1964. I have seen the early Who 3 times. Nobody has written more great songs than Peter Townsend. The Who members Peter, Daltrey, Entwistal and of course Keith Moon are one of a kind the greatest, especially live is over the top legendary. TD Atlanta
GREAT CHOICE MY LITTLE SWEET YOUNG ANGEL. I'VE NEVER MET A PERSON IN MY 53 YEARS THAT DIDN'T LOVE THIS ALBUM. BY THE WAY, I SAW THEM IN '75 @ THE LSU ASSEMBLY CENTER WHEN KEITH MOON WAS THE DRUMMER. WISH YOU WERE THERE.
A rainy weekend going to Monterey for the sports car races. My friend rigs up an 8-track player in my Mustang and we had one tape. That was my introduction to this great album. Good for you doing the complete side.
One of the greatest albums ever and arguably their best studio record. They have that alpha quality sound and for me, at their best, the original band is right there with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Can't wait for side 2, more reactors should hit Who's Next for sure. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
many great songs on this record, many that have gotten alot of airplay. for me, after 50 plus years, i have grown to appreciate the greatness of love ain't for keeplng, getting in tune and the song is over.
Both Pete Townsend (Who) & Rodger Waters (Pink Floyd) were experimenting with the latest keyboard sequencer technology of the time and used it on Who's Next & Dark Side Of The Moon. Still very primitive back in the early 70's 😀
Oh, VERDY! You picked a great album for an intro to The Who. I was 14 when this was released, and it was instrumental in forming my philosophy on life (pardon the pun!). Pete Townshend is the great songwriter/composer and guitarist/keyboardist. Roger Daltry is the great voice (Pete's vocals are more like falsetto). Incomparable on Bass was John Entwistle, and Keith Moon was an animal on the Drums. see you on side 2....
This is one of the albums that changed music and directed the 70s.
Yup that chord pattern form the Wont Get Fooled synth was duplicated or used as a base for dozens of tracks thereafter.
The Who were the most influential band.
The best drummer ever!
@@bobjennings2107Keith Moon!
The Who are one of those bands with a unique sound. Melodic, rhythmic, hard edged but uplifting. Their music always makes me feel good. Like The Beatles, they’re plugged into some universal energy that gives their music some special feeling. They played in the era of the best music but really stood out for me above a lot of other great bands. It’s all subjective of course but other Who fans will know what I mean.
Who's Next was recorded May-June 1971. The organ sound from tracks "Won’t Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O’Riley" was not a loop. It was actually played
Pete Townshend came up with the ostinato or the repeating set of notes that opens and underlies the song and was played on a Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ using its marimba repeat feature to generate them. He stated that he used a gated Lowrey organ via EMS VCS3 gated filter. No sequencer. He just bought one of the first synthesizers available, the enormous ARP 2500 system and after recording the first few demos for Who’s Next. Baba O’Riley came out wrong as he couldn’t get the sequencers and mix-sequencers on the ARP under his fingers fast enough so he emulated sequencing and tape delays using the Marimba Arpeggiator effect on his Lowrey Berkshire.
Here is a cover of Baba O'Riley's ostinato on a real Lowrey Berkshire TBO-1 organ. Instead of a piano for the second instrumentation chords he uses the bass pedals. ruclips.net/video/BgPtksNqbCk/видео.html
I heard this album in August, 1971 ate age 17. I’ll be 70 soon and this still as fresh as when I was a teen. I was mesmerized by the opening of Baba O’Reilly and had to have it. I played it and Led Zeppelin IV on my 8-track while I was studying algebra. Let one album plat through two or three times and then swap ‘em out!
These four musicians are among the most exceptional in their respective fields. Roger Daltrey is one of the greatest voices in rock and roll history, Pete Townshend is a masterful songwriter and iconic guitar player, John Entwistle attacks the base and was called "Thunderfingers" for a reason and Keith Moon was always going insane on the drums - they modelled the Muppets' Animal after him. All in all, the Who are in the top 5 greatest and most important rock bands of all time.
100%
I concur to The Top Five Statement
Townshend is not a great guitar player.
@@jnagarya519 that's why I said "iconic" 😉 He's no virtuoso like Van Halen, Hendrix, Knopfler and so on, but without a doubt very influential - both in his stage presence and being one of the driving forces behind the power chord. And his style suited the band extremely well
@@blabla48076 JESUS Christ. All the fucking excuses in order to avoid the fact.
I said nothing about the show he put on -- big fucking deal about "power chords; as if that were an innovation instead of a result of his extreme limitation, or about his "style" or anything else. I simply pointed to that fact that, despite all that, the DISTRACTIONS of that, he was a SHITTY guitar player.
👍 Verdy… just think…. 1971 this album (The Who-Who’s Next), Led Zeppelin IV, The Doors - LA Woman, and The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers…. All came out. Seriously. Just an Incredible year musically.
Floyd too and Kinks. 10 4
The list of great albums coming out in 1971 is a lot longer than just the four you mention. 1971 is known for being one of the best years ever for great albums.
1971 also released: black Sabbath, master of reality; yes, fragile; Jethro Tull, aqualung; John Lennon, imagine; Elton John, madman across the water. And tons more. It was the greatest single year in rock album releases.
@@victorjohnson7512 Master Of Reality and Fragile are top notch.
@@victorjohnson7512 I was in high school from 1969 - 1973, started with Led Zeppelin and graduated to Dark Side of the Moon. Can't do better than that!
You're listening to one of the greatest bands of all time - perhaps even the greatest - at their peak. The musicianship across this album is at a phenomenally high level. "The Song Is Over" has to be one of rock music's best songs that must music fans have never even heard of. It's a masterpiece.
I'm loving your heartfelt reaction to The Who: Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle, Moon. Legends all.
A special mention must go to the great Nicky Hopkins on piano.
As a teen this was one of the albums that I went to when I was feeling melancholy. Keith Moon's avalanche drumming was like sunshine for the soul.
"avalanche drumming" is one of the better descriptions I've heard.
Yes, "avalanche drumming" is very good ! I don't know if Moon was the best drummer (as many people say and I don't care) but he was definitly on another planet. HIS planet...😉
I just watch this with my ears and cried my face off LOL
#3 of my top records of all time most of this album is still relevant today especially "Wont Get Fooled Again" no one writes such songs anymore glad to see you experiencing it
What are the first 2? It's my #2, behind George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass".
Unquestionably, one of the greatest albums of all time. I've seen the Who in concert a couple times (my first time in 1982, so unfortunately, never seen them with Keith Moon). Truly awesome that you're reacting to this album, and I am really looking forward to your next Led Zeppelin reactions as well.
Peace
This is one of my top ten favorite albums of all time. There is no "filler" on this album. Every song is great, and side two is even better than side one.
This album is legendary. Saw them in 76, still have my ticket stub.
The smile on your face reflects the smile that was on my face when I first heard this back in the 70s
Thank you Verdy...😊
This is the first time I've heard anybody react to the whole album. Thank you for doing this, long overdue
Check out Doug Helvering, he does reactions too and he did react to the album.
WHole album reactions FTW
Side 1 is great. Side 2 is off-the-charts legendary.
One of the best Who albums. I think that Quadrophenia was their best. Fortunately I was able to see them once before Keith died. That was on December 15th, 1975 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. They ended the concert with Won't Get Fooled Again, which was a blast. The audience went nuts. People love Led Zeppelin, the Who has it all over them in concert, not even close.
Welcome to the world of "The Who"...🙂
That initial electronic opening was a synthesizer, the first time The Who used synthesizers on one of their albums. That's the influence of Progressive Rock groups like King Crimson, ELP, Yes, Genesis back in the early 70s.
I love that you are reacting to ENTIRE albums in song order in large chunks like by side. THIS is the way we as young teenagers in the early 70s listened to music. THE ALBUM meant something, it was a piece of art. The song order was important and especially in prog songs were placed in order that the band wanted them heard. In the 60s, people bought individual songs on 45 rpm singles. Until the Beatles came along, most albums were just random collections of singles with no concept or united theme. That changed for good with Sgt Pepper, Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, Moody Blues' Days of Future Passed etc.
THIS ALBUM was originally intended to be a "concept album" created by lead guitarist Pete Townshend called The Lifehouse Project. But it still is a themed album and collection of songs.
Good timing picking this iconic album to react to (purposely?). This is the 50th anniversary of Who's Next, one of the most important and best albums in rock history. The Who are releasing huge deluxe editions of Who's Next this summer.
Prior to this album, I only knew The Who from the radio hits. Who's Next was one of the first ALBUMS I bought as a young teen with my lawn cutting $$, and this album changed my view of The Who from just a good rock band to a great iconic rock band pushing the boundaries further. The whole album is a treasure and by the mid 70s, just about every teenage boy (mostly lol) in America had this album in their collection.
Great job, you just got yourself a new subscriber!
Baba O'Riley is a tribute to Terry Riley's jazz synthesiser album "A Rainbow in Curved Air".
The opening was done on a Lowrey Berkshire organ.
IMO This is one of if not the best “album” song per song of all time. Still fantastic after all these years.
I turned 13 in February of 1971; this album, especially Baba O’Riley, was the soundtrack of my teenage years. There were others, of course, but Who’s Next hit me hard.
"My Wife" - you asked about the brass/horns. This song is a gift that some seem to want to overlook. This was written by John Entwistle, the bass guitarist.
I say it that way because John was a beast of a guitar player and He played the bass as He pleased; with virtuosity and volume. John, Keith Moon (Drummer), Pete Townshend (Guitar) loved to play with each other. They were free to play as hard as they wanted.
John Entwistle was a gifted musician from an early age. He played french horn in school, so he played brass on Who tracks. Multi-track recording was new back then, so he was able to add another layer to the sound that Pete Townshend wanted to create.
John was more of a lead guitarist than Pete.
@@js.3490 Pete wasn't a great guitar player. And "multi-track" is a form of overdubbing, which Les Paul invented, and Buddy Holly also did. And "The Beatles". So not impressive that "The Who" and everyone else did multi-track recording.
@@jnagarya519 My comment was that John was more of a lead guitarist than Pete.
@@js.3490 And my comment was to point to the fact that Pete was not a great guitarist. In fact, he was embarrassingly mediocre. All the jumping and marching around is show -- it is not guitar playing, let alone guitar proficiency.
@@jnagarya519 Wow! I would hate to think what you might do to him if you met him one day. Glad my name is not Pete Townshend. Hey....all of you Pete Townshend's out there, beware! jnagarya519 is coming for you. Don't be the one jumping around with a guitar on some street corner. 🎸
My personal favorite Who record is Sell Out but, objectively speaking, this is their best record top to bottom. Every track could have been a single.
You know an album is good when legendary songs like "Join Together", "Pure and Easy", and "Relay" were left on the cutting room floor and didn't make it onto the original release.
@@bostonwhofan No doubt. A great example of the original idea (Lifehouse) becoming something better. When in doubt, edit.
"Pull your group together with Rotosound strings!"
She should have used Oder-oh-no!
I like more and more their 60s stuff
And "objectively" their best album is and always will be Tommy
The '70's was a great time to be a teenager. I cherish those times.
The Beatles, the Stones and the Who exploded out of England in the sixties. With two rock operas and dozens of hits The Who are one of the great rock bands of all time.
You've just listened to one of the truly, all time great, rock albums. A masterpiece of writing singing and instrumentation by 4 men at the peak of their creativity. Sublime!!!
When you combine the best rock bass player and drummer that ever lived with a genius songwriter guitarist, then front that combo with legendary vocals...you now have the Who. Each member lead the charge in every song.
One of the greatest rock albums of all time. Must be played loud!
24:26 Don't worry, by the end of side B you won't get fooled again ;)
This has always been one of my very favorite albums. My Wife showcased the talents of bassist John Entwistle. He played bass and the horns, sang the song and wrote it. Bargain was always a favorite too. The other side is even better.
What a wonderful reaction to my fav band of all time!!!!! This made me very happy, I felt the same way on my first listen, 30 some odd years ago...
For my money, "The Song Is Over" and "Getting In Tune" are the best songs on the album - but there's not a bad song on it, and I can't fault anyone with a different preference.
After you're done with this one, *definitely* hit Quadrophenia. The whole album tells a story, and it's the Who's best work by far.
those two songs and love ain't for keeping have grown on me so much the past 52 years, all three as great as any other on the album.
A few good tracks, but overblown indulgence.
@@jnagarya519 Whatever, man ;)
This album came out when I was in high school. To give you some idea of what else was popular at the time, Carole King had come out with Tapestry and it was very popular at the time. The US was mired in the Vietnam War, and sometime after Who's Next came out, they announced the end of the draft. This announcement was celebrated by playing Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant". The synthesizer mode used on some songs on Who's Next is called "Auto Arpeggiate", when the player holds down a chord, and the synthesizer sequences quickly through the notes one at a time. The synthesizers of that day were primitive by today's standards, but you are hearing what was state-of-the art for the time. If you have any doubt, listen to "Switched On Bach" or Dick Hyman's "Moog" from just a couple years earlier.
'The Song is Over" is actually continued on Pete Townshend's album Who Came First in the song "Pure & Easy".
Just a masterpiece. Keith Moon ( as in loon) shines through the whole album.
Great reaction Verdy. Although I know you like to try new things I still prefer your album reactions above all else. Please do more of these again. :) Take care.
Go back and follow the lyrics for "My Wife". Hilarious!! Then the music imitates his running. Entwhistle sang and wrote that one. The bass player. The Ox!! A phenomenal player!! Also, note Moon's constant bombastic drumming.
This album was a classic the day it came out. No one had ever done some of these musical things before. And drummer Moon was at the very top of his game, so great. Love your reaction, now to side 2.
You need to listen to the Who's "Live at Leeds" album.....one of the best live rock performance recordings ever....
A more raw & pure form of rock featuring some crazy drumming by gonzo.
The songs from this album were written for a movie The Who was working on. It was about a utopian society. But the movie wasn't working out - costs were high, there was conflict and confusion. Eventually they decided to abandon the whole project. But the songs written were good and so they decided to make an album out of them. I first heard "Bargain" in 1973 on 8-track when I was 12 years old. I remember feeling that it was more like an experience than a song. And it's theme of "I'll pay any price for you" is hardly original. But Pete Townsend had me feeling like I had never heard this theme before. How he did this I'll never know!
Great reaction! You picked a fantastic LP for your intro to the Who, every song on it is memorable. I saw them live in Pittsburgh a couple years after this was released and it was an amazing concert.
Verdy you Rock young lady!
Verdy thank you so much for this❤❤❤I grew up in the early 70's and this entire album was like a personal anthem to me.cant wait for side two.
I totally loved listening to this epic album along with you. I was equally riveted as a 19-year-old hearing it upon its release in 1971. 😁🎸✌️
saludos desde Argentina. The Who it's an incredible band. Baba O'Riley gives you years of life
I would highly recommend reacting to a live performance from this era. Huge energy
Watch the live version from 78 from Shepperton
You are making an excellent choices!!! I suggest the concept album Quadrophenia, the best one for me. There are also a movie of this album because it is a story. 💥
tommy, too. right?
@@pbrooks4040 yes 100%
Glad you're enjoying this. The Who was my very first concert. I was 14 and we listened to this album at least 30 times in the weeks leading up to it. One of my favorite albums of all time. The lyrics to My Wife, still make me laugh to this day. 🙂
This is an absolutely perfect album,...every note right where it should be.
The Who are one the earliest rock bands that had an influence on later bands. Who's Next is a perfect album. Check out Who Live at Leeds the best live album and Tommy their first rock opera.
Bargain is their most underrated song. A special track and one of my top favorites.
The Song Is Over is an often unknown gem with that great drone. ...Did you catch the random kick drum at 23:45? :)
Totally agree. The power of Daltrey on show here.
Townsends vocals on this song is also amazing
One of the greatest openers to an album ever
The bass player, John Entwistle, played brass instruments in high school band, so he would occasionally play them on Who songs. My Wife was written and sung by him as well.
This album is filled with extraordinary, unique, and exciting rock and roll. Pete Townshend superbly performed songwriting, lyrics, brilliantly produced, and even exciting rock and roll make this a masterpiece. Roger (the Singer), Pete (Guitar/Keyboards), Keith (Drums), and
John (Bass) all felt like they were the lead, all trying to outdo each other. Saw them live in 1971 - my ears are still ringing. No one
played louder than the who. To get the feel of the band, watch the Videos of The Who Live At Shepperton - or the Video of
The Who "Young Man Blues Isle of Wight."
That's a bit unfair to the Ox. He could and did play the bass like a lead instrument as allowed, but most of the time he acted as the rhythm anchor to compensate for Moon's extravagance.
Always a joy to watch someone hearing this for the first time! It's been 45 years since my maiden voyage..
Pete Townsend's creativity, songwriting and arrangement was in the stratosphere on this album. His mix of minimalism, sophistication and rock aggression is perfection. Stunning efforts by Roger, John and Keith was well.
Not a wasted track nor moment on record.
Great choice!
One of the greatest albums of all time by one of the greatest bands of all time. Glad you enjoyed it. Side 2 is amazing too. Can’t wait to see your reaction.
It is one of the greatest albums of all time. I had this classic album on 8=track (remember them) when I was a kid. Those were the days. I'm looking forward to Who's Next/Lifehouse release coming soon. Thanks for sharing this classic album.
Thanks for reacting to this great album. I was in college when this was released and we played the vinyl version over and over again. My favorite was 'My Wife', written by their superb bassist, John Entwistle. He was also the lead singer on this song. Keith Moon, the great drummer, was on fire throughout the album, and especially during this song.. For a while, Rolling Stone magazine had this listed as the greatest rock album of all time. Thanks again.
Masterpiece. An iconic album that will influence so many musicans and bands. The pre hard rock band. Genius.
Love this album thanks for reacting to it
Quite a surprise to see this in my feed. Always been one of my favorite albums as a whole. Wonderful reaction.
Great music and timeless.
Baba O’Reilly was heard regularly in my freshman dorm in college every Saturday. What a soundtrack we had back then. ✌️❤️🎶
I saw these guys ONCE, in 76-77. Luckily before Keith Moon died. A friend told me, beforehand, they all HATED each other. If that was true, I know I hoped all other groups I would see would hate each other. They were FANOMINAL.
Oh so true.
MANY years ago I was listening to an interview of Pete Townshend, and they asked him about the hypnotic music in Baba O'Riley. He said that he spent months in a studio cutting, splicing, and re-recording tape over and over to produce that sound. And then he said (in a somewhat annoyed tone) that with modern technology, an artist could do the same thing in an afternoon. I think that interview was from the early 2000's so today someone could probably do it onstage.
When they played "Baba O'Reilly" they said we will be using a recording in the intro. Knowing the tech they have today it would be a "loop" recorded digitally. Easy peasey.
you are going to love side 2 🙂
One of the reasons why I love this channel is because many of the classic rock albums you choose to react to, I haven't listened to myself either. So it gives myself a chance to experience the music for the first time as well. :)
Last time I clicked your channel you were listening to Steely and now The Who. Great 70's music. Nice to see you appreciate it so much. Timeless music. Enjoy your channel my fellow Canadian...
I was introduced to The Who in college back in the 1980s. It was already anthem material at the time. Not sure if I learned more in or between classes.
I'm glad you take the time to listen to albums in full. These bands made art and it's the only way to do it.
You're digging The Who! Next side is even better! Buckle your seatbelt! 👍👍❤️
This one will always have a well deserved place in the pantheon of iconic rock albums.
Iconic era for rock and roll. The Who, Zepplin, Stones, Guess Who, Santana etc.
Thanks Verdy! I appreciate you digging deep into this musical history.
"Baba O'Riley" This was the first recorded intelligent use of synthesizers in rock music. Before that, early synths had only provided ambient atmospheric tones. This was the first time they were used to compose a piece, at least on a rock album. Great record!
This is the best way to listen to all music: entire Albums at a time. This was how we all did it. Classic Album Hour was one of my favourite radio shows... I' am that old :D
It is largely forgotten just how influential the Who were. They ranked up their with the Stones, just below the Beatles. Iconic and Unique in their own right with standards that still hold up as among the greatest of Rock.
First song was used for CSI: New York opening. Very classic and exactly the song it needed. Won’t get fooled again was used for CSI: Las Vegas as the opening song.
Correction: "Who Are You" was the song for the original, Las Vegas-based CSI. Daltrey's "YEEEAHHH!" in "Won't Get Fooled Again" was heard on every opening of CSI Miami, right after David Caruso made a quip and put on his sunglasses.
@@gj8683 thanks I forgot because I heard them before but forgot which songs were used.
CSI: Who Are You
Miami: Won’t Get Fooled Again
New York: Baba O’Riley
Cyber: I Can See For Miles
A perfect choice of Who recordings to review first. An absolutely stunning album. Apart from the band’s performance on the album the unsung hero is the associate producer/mixer Glyn Lohns. His recording methods are legendary.
NIIIIICCCCE, SCHWEEEET! 😊 DEFINITELYYY IN THE TOP 50 ROCK ALBUMS OF ALL TIME!☝😊
That was Dave Swarbrick at the end of Baba O'Riley--master folk fiddler. He worked with Fairport Convention and some other British bands.
John Entwhistle is to the Who what John Paul Jones is to Led Zeppelin - the "brass" is John Entwhistle from memory French Horn (woodwind) was his first instrument
A four piece band where every member was playing a solo the entire time.
In 1971 The Who were always the first example given as a definition of Progressive Rock, now called prog.
One of the best albums ever recorded. I often return to it, because the music is tops. I`m glad you you are listening to it and I`m glad you liked it, and of course I love your reactions, they`re sincere and I love how you describe the music and how you feel about it. That`s what me, and the rest of your subscribers like about you. Enjoy
Hi Verdi,
I’d like to recommend something for you to listen to. I’d love to see what you think of the Pat Metheny tune called First Circle. I know you’ve listened to Metheny before but this is an incredible tune. It’s very complicated time signature wise but doesn’t sound complicated at all. The one I’m recommending is a live version from his live album called “The Road To You”.
Thanks!
How can you not get chills listening to Song is Over. I mean it's just unbelievable.
in high school our music teacher played a song from , "whos next " each lesson and broke down each track describing it a a brilliant album
Moon (drummer) and Entwistle (bassist) are consistently ranked among the greatest ever on those instruments
Who's Next is the best Rock @ Roll album of all time. I say the Who is second only to the Beatles. I saw the Beatles "Event" concert in Indianapolis in 1964. I have seen the early Who 3 times. Nobody has written more great songs than Peter Townsend. The Who members Peter, Daltrey, Entwistal and of course Keith Moon are one of a kind the greatest, especially live is over the top legendary. TD Atlanta
John Entwhisle wrote and sang My Wife, he also played the trumpet and baritone which are the instruments you were asking about.
"This was not what I was expecting, " describes a lot of what The Who did.
GREAT CHOICE MY LITTLE SWEET YOUNG ANGEL. I'VE NEVER MET A PERSON IN MY 53 YEARS THAT DIDN'T LOVE THIS ALBUM. BY THE WAY, I SAW THEM IN '75 @ THE LSU ASSEMBLY CENTER WHEN KEITH MOON WAS THE DRUMMER. WISH YOU WERE THERE.
A rainy weekend going to Monterey for the sports car races. My friend rigs up an 8-track player in my Mustang and we had one tape. That was my introduction to this great album.
Good for you doing the complete side.
Goodness! First she listens to Steely Dan's "Aja" and now 'Who's Next". Lucky her!
One of the greatest albums ever and arguably their best studio record. They have that alpha quality sound and for me, at their best, the original band is right there with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Can't wait for side 2, more reactors should hit Who's Next for sure. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
Desert Island Disc or what?!? ✌
many great songs on this record, many that have gotten alot of airplay. for me, after 50 plus years, i have grown to appreciate the greatness of love ain't for keeplng, getting in tune and the song is over.
Both Pete Townsend (Who) & Rodger Waters (Pink Floyd) were experimenting with the latest keyboard sequencer technology of the time and used it on Who's Next & Dark Side Of The Moon. Still very primitive back in the early 70's 😀
Oh, VERDY! You picked a great album for an intro to The Who. I was 14 when this was released, and it was instrumental in forming my philosophy on life (pardon the pun!). Pete Townshend is the great songwriter/composer and guitarist/keyboardist. Roger Daltry is the great voice (Pete's vocals are more like falsetto). Incomparable on Bass was John Entwistle, and Keith Moon was an animal on the Drums. see you on side 2....
This is what one of the best albums of the Seventies sounds like.
Just bought the new enhanced double cd of this album bonus tracks and a live cd.
Great Choice, for first exposure to Who.
I love this LP...I lived in the age of cassettes and later CD's.....this was one of the few vinals I bought.