Ok Guys!, here we go again with more unreleased albums from The Who. One more.
On 17 May 1969, the opera rock" "Tommy" was published worldwide, placing the British group "The Who" and the songwriter Pete Townshend at the top of the rock world's.
Almost seven months of intense work cost to get this extraordinary double album . Recorded at the IBC studios in London, U.K, from September 1968 to March 1969. It was produced by Kim Lambert and distributed by Decca.
Although the album was released in May, the promotional tour began on February 14 at Lanchester College of Technology, Coventry, England. Where some songs from "Tommy" were played in concert for the first time. This 1st Britain´s leg ends May 2 at Ronnie Scott´s Jazz Club, London, England. Seven day after, The Who started their 1st American Tour at Grande Ballroom, Detroit, MI. Six week after, this tour finished at The Fillmore West concerts in San Francisco, five shows in three days the last one on June 19 with all tickets sold out.
The shows was divided into three parts. Here´s the original set list with some possible variation.
1st - Heaven and Hell / I can´t explain / Fortune teller / Tattoo / Young Man Blues / Substitute / Happy Jack / I´m a boy. 2nd - Tommy Opera. 3rd Summertime Blues / Shakin´All Over / My Generation Medley / Magic Bus.
In july The Who back to England; and on August, they played on Tanglewood and Woodstock and lon september at The Isle of Wight Festival. The tour continued by Europe and North America once again between September to December. After 125 concerts, the 1969 world tour ends on December 19 at Newcastle City Hall.
During the second American tour, some concerts were recorded for a possible live Lp but the members of the group were so tired, they didn't want to listen and choose the best cuts, so Pete Tonwshend left this work in hands of the engineer Bob Pridden. In early January 1970 before the band returned to the stage in Paris, Bob showed Pete a double acetate for the live album, but he didn't like it and asked for Tommy's share to be removed and make it a single lp with the best from parts 1 and 3 of the concerts.Bob took the Washington tapes for the best sound and made several mixes. This Project called: "The Who on Tour - live in USA", was abbreviated to "The Who Live In USA", because there was already another Lp with a similar title: Magic Bus- The Who on Tour. Days after showed the result to Pete...
Side One: (17:46)
1.Heaven and Hell. (3:14)
2.I Can´t Explain. (2:15)
3.Fortune Teller. (2:28)
4.Tattoo. (2:43)
5.Young Man Blues. (7:03)
Side Two: (17:00)
1.Summertime Blues. (3:11)
2.Shakin´All Over. (5:24)
3.My Generation Medley: / See Me, Feel Me / Naked Eye (Instrumental version) / Sparks. (8:21)
Recorded live at McDonough Memorial Gymnasium. Georgetown University. Washington D.C. US. Nov. 2.1969.
...but he still didn't like it and canceled it and preferred to record two extra concerts in mid-February in Leeds and Hull. Unfortunately, only Leeds's could be used, because Hull recorded technical problems with John's bass. During March, two versions were made at IBC studios, with a different duration, both with "My Generation Medley" and "Magic Bus" on A side, with this line-up:
(I.B.C Studio 1st Acetate version. March 1970).
Side One: (23:12)
1.My Generation Medley: / See Me, Feel Me / Naked Eye (Instrumental version) / Amazing Journey / Coming Out To Get You / Sparks. (15:45)
2.Magic Bus. (7:27)
Side Two: (21:03)
1.Young Man Blues. (5:51)
2.Substitute. (2:06)
3.Happy Jack. (2:13)
4.I´m A Boy. (2:55)
5.Summertime Blues. (3:21)
6.Shakin´All Over. (4:34).
... but that same day, Pete edited this version once again to:
Side One: (20:35)
1.My Generation Medley (edit): / See Me, Feel Me / Naked Eye (Instrumental version) / Amazing Journey / Coming Out To Get You / Sparks. (13:09)
2.Magic Bus. (7:26)
Side Two: (15:29)
1.Young Man Blues. (5:26)
2.Substitute. (2:06)
3.Summertime Blues. (3:21)
4.Shakin´All Over. (4:34)
...at the end of the day, IBC Studios made a 2nd acetate. It seemed to be the definitive that was going to go to the lp. But a couple of weeks after, this last version was discarded too and Pete made a new one,where the songs chosen were in the same order in which they were played live. bit.ly/69tW70lr The album was re-called: "The Who live at Leeds".It was released by Decca & MCA in the USA and Track Records in UK, on May 23.1970. Produced by Kim Lambert, John Astley and The Who.
This record is considered one of the best live rock albums of all time. On this new occasion, I bring you the original album cancelled "The Who on Tour - live in USA" and the two reconstructed acetates from "Live at Leeds".
Enjoy it and see you soon with more and better. I hope.
