Got a feeling 21 is going to be a good year, especially if you and me see it in together. Hopefully that great lyric will prove true a century later. One of my all time favorite lyrics, "but somehow when you smiled, I can brave bad weather" Keith Moon the all time great unconventional drummer. The Who is made up of 4 superstars. Santa left this album for my sister and I in 1969.
Daniel, I have to share this with you. First of all, I'm a child of the 80s. The first rock music I got into was through my older brother who was in college at the time. I started off with The Beatles (no better place to start!) and then he introduced me to The Who. I had their most recent album at the time under my belt (It's Hard) and also the soundtrack to their documentary 'The Kids Are Alright'. Then I was at a friend's house and got to listen to Tommy through his older brother. I have to say that by the time it got to "Sparks" I was sitting on the floor right in front of the speakers (two or three feet tall, back in the day) and staring at the machinery playing this incredible music with my jaw dropped open, It was as if the ride I was being taken on was for me and me alone. I felt like Tommy himself, zoned out in front of the mirror. Thousands of listens later, it doesn't have that feeling of newness anymore, but watching you respond to it makes me feel as close to that first moment as I'm likely to ever get again. Thank you, Daniel. (And thanks for not pausing Sparks until the end.)
Pretty groovy! You reminded me of my own experiences from when I’d heard The Who Quadrophenia for the first time! And, Who’s Next! And Sellout, and all of it! Those times when I’ve been alone to listen (cuz we used to gather in friends’ basements to listen and smoke, too) Honestly, I preferred it when I heard their albums for the first time when I was alone. It’s hard to articulate, but for one thing; I never thought those boys (the Who friends; no other chicks liked The Who. I was always the only girl there during The Who albums) valued them as much as I did. And it felt kinda creepy sharing that intimate sound with the neighborhood boys who were into The Who. After all, I too felt they were singing to me and for me! What 13 year old girl wants a pimply faced, rather dim-by-comparison (sorry. Maybe they’ve caught up by now) boy around to hear what The Who are singing on my behalf? And I never believed that those boys understood the lyrics like I did. I always thought they were only into the musical sound of The Who; which was fine. But I was all-in, and for everything they delivered! Lyrics, sound, attitude, loudness, aggression, energy, looks, excitement! It was like each Who member was better than the other and I couldn’t believe they co-existed being so, so....volatile! I loved it ! Each one of ‘em wanted to be the stand out; how could it go on without exploding some day? (And I say John too wanted that recognition. He learned to get it by playing the bass like no other before him; with ridiculous mad-skills that said everything for him. That’s why he didn’t have to jump around and wave his own flag. His playing did it all! And really, wasn’t that better for us fans when we saw them live? You could always see John and those beautiful fingers going over that bass like you wanted him to ....ohhh!! Too much!) But yeah! One day, my daughter said to me: “Mom, The Who were made for you!” What a lovely sentiment! She always did, and still does, capture everything just-so; and I’m inclined to agree with her on this.
Wonderful choice there. "Tommy": very few reactors know or dare to react to this as a whole.good taste and choices..and you explore more because you give music the time and understanding it deserves..bravo to you!
One of the best things about watching your reactions is listening to the music as a whole again. Once you hear an album you tend to skip to your favorite songs. But you, hearing it for the first time, bring me back to the first time I heard it, as a whole. Really, really nice.
Tommy is a masterpiece. The subject of child abuse wasn't even talked about at the time, and Tommy faces many aspects, religious, physical torture, drugs, sex abuse, and psychology. It's all because he witnesses his father, a returning WW veteran, killed by his mother's lover, told you didn't hear it see it, won't say nothing at all, and becomes catatonic as a result.
“I sore it!” (Roger in the sorta background, lol) to Pete’s up-front vocals repeatedly telling the child “You didn’t hear it! You didn’t see it!” (“I sore it!”, says Roger a few times during 1921 song) I love Brits beyond belief! And that’ll never change....I love how they enunciate their words to start with! Of My Londoner Dad, who’s now sadly deceased; my mom used to giggle as she’d only occasionally say: “Dad can’t say ‘fifth’; he says ‘fith’!” She thought that it was charming; and yet I don’t think she understood why he just didn’t pronounce it properly already? Note to mom: because he couldn’t! That’s why! That’s part of that dialect, I imagine. On The Who record called ‘New Song’, from The Who Are You Album, I always look forward to the 2nd verse when Roger sings: “My head is spinning as I scrawl with my pen ‘Cause I’ve been pouring VOD-KER in my soul” [Obviously, ‘VOD-KER’ is meant to be said as: ‘VODKA’....but Roger’s way is so much better and I think I gotta hear that right now to get that nice extra grin this morning!]
I listened to this album ten bazillion times. Notice how acoustic the whole work is. He used a Gibson J200 the original which I got to see at the rock and roll hall of fame. It was like seeing the holy grail. This work meant a lot to me for what I went through and then afterwards the son I had. Thank you Daniel. Enjoy your comments.
Tommy has a special place in my heart as well. It was when we did "See me, Feel me" (We're Not Gonna Take It) that pushed my garage band over the top and we won a battle of the bands at the local high school. I guess the saying is true that "music is the soundtrack of your life."
Back in 1971, I was a freshman in college. I came back to my dorm room one evening and turned on the campus radio station as they began playing the rock opera Tommy. I had never heard it before. I lay on my bed and listened to the whole thing through, non-stop. I was deeply moved by this masterpiece. It is amazing to re-live that phenomenal experience with you.
Pete Townshend is right up there with Hendrix for me. He's frickin amazing in every aspect. Stage presence, epic. Live, he and the band were unstoppable.
Musically this was so ahead of its time. The whole album tells a story in an operatic way with characters and recurring musical themes. Keith Moon's drumming is at its pinnacle on this album. just phenomenal music throughout!
Dude just fell upon this video I am so happy top 10 albums of all time so glad you were breaking it up in four pieces it is a masterpiece you will be blown away love you enjoy
The Who is so amazing ...December 3 1979 I was saved by the powers that be from the disaster that night, its haunted the Who and everyone from then forever. Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and a crush of concert-goers outside the Coliseum's entry doors resulted in the deaths of 11 people.
I bought the album when it came out - man, that was a long time ago! I always felt that Tommy, the character, was a symbol of the social class the Who came from - the white, English working class, the class that was always overlooked, treated as hooligans and idiots and generally taken for granted. It's true they didn't have much social standing or formal education, but they still cared and still wanted to speak. The Who's music was their voice, and Pete Townshend spoke for them. BTW, nothing has changed. As an old man, may I say I really appreciate that a young person such as yourself is exploring 'our' music and discovering what a great decade the 60s was.
@@floorticket that is so true. Good point. I'm not that old to have heard it as released, 3 at the time and by the time I was a teenager the story was always told immediately to anyone listening for the first time, even Djs would give quick context...
Pete Townshend used a technique invented by Richard Wagner, the composer of the Ring of the Nibelung operas, in which each character is given a 'theme', their own melody, so to speak. It's called a 'leitmotif'. John Williams also used it in Star Wars. Tommy's is "See Me, Feel Me."
I was your age when "Tommy" came out. Watching your reaction brings back my first time playing it. Of course I was blown away just as you are. I was fortunate enough to see them perform it live three times in '69 and '70. They came out and played (rocked) for a half hour, then seamlessly transitioned to "Overture" and the album in it's entirety. Seeing a four piece band replicate the intricacies of this album on stage was amazing. Then, after an incredible standing ovation, they came back with an even harder rocking half hour encore. That's why, to this day, I still consider them the best live band ever.
It's nice that a young man is interested in the music from this period. In the film Tommy the Who singer Roger Daltray plays the role of Tommy and the drummer Keith Moon plays Uncle Erny. Musicians like Elton John and Tina Turner also play and sing the title of the record.
I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but there are important liner notes in the album sleeve that help keep the story coherent. Ie what happens between “It’s a Boy” and “1921”. (Mrs Walker has a new man, Captain walker returns home, Mrs & new boyrfirend kill the father, Tommy sees it and that’s why he becomes catatonic.... and so on.
Great reaction, btw. My best friend was sooooo excited to have me listen to Tommy, the day he got it. He was beside himself; and understandably so. His grin was from ear to ear. It was an acquired taste for bubble-gum music top 40, along with Lambrusco, li'l ole me.
My introduction to this album, and The Who in general, came when we were shown an unedited copy of the film Tommy in junior high. I was in 7th grade (1975-76ish), caused a huge uproar, some of the teachers got really pissed over it. Apparently it was all orchestrated by a hip music teacher at our school.
Congrats! You are the first reactor, Daniel, to react to the legendary rock opera "Tommy" album. "Who's Next" and Quadrophenia" are masterpieces too! The movie is weird, but I loved it! Starred Eric Clapton, Elton John, Tina Turner and of course Roger Daltrey and The Who. Not to mention A-list actors Jack Nicholson, Anne Margaret and Oliver Reed.
Reactor "Soul Train Bro" has done both Tommy and Quadrophenia when he featured The Who for a month earlier this year. He did their albums in chronological order and his reviews were top shelf. One side of each double album was blocked but he posted the video on his Vimeo channel so I didn't miss out on anything.
@@bobmessier5215 I believe it was in April of this year that he had a month featuring The Who so you'll have to scroll down a little bit on his playlist page. Here is the link to his Vimeo page: vimeo.com/user91321886 which you'll need to view those videos that were blocked.
@@TheScavenger71 I just looked and realized I DID SEE those videos because I gave them thumbs up. LOL I like reaction videos because it is like sharing your favorite music with friends. Especially important in these times of social-distancing. There are so many reactors to choose from, but I try to stay away from those that seem to spend too much time trying to sell merch, instead of sharing their passion for music. If you're a movie buff too, like me, "Shan Loves Movies" is the best reactor, since he went to film school to study movies.
It builds to an operatic climax in a rocking way. That was only the opening and made me realize how GREAT the overture is once you’re able to recognize the various musical motifs. Later that night: Listened to side one Tommy Live at Leeds. Amazing.
Wow! I'm so happy you are doing "Tommy". Imo, the best rock opera of all time! The movie was really good too, with Roger Daltry playing the lead. Kudos to you!🌟🌟👏❤🎸Enjoy the ride!😊
The late, great John Entwhistle on bass. One of the greatest ever. Met him in the lounge of a hotel I was staying at in NYC, about 1999, I think. He was accompanied by 3 absolutely gorgeous women. Young women, too. I was jealous but he was very fun and generous with his time.
Great job! Thank you for doing this. The whole Tommy album. Great idea. Takes me back to my Tallahassee house, the summer after high school graduation. Free and easy, with my friends, drugs, college, work, girls. And listening to this masterpiece again and again and again. Seeing your sincere enjoyment brings me joy.
The Who are the finest sonic, emotional, best song-writing, most jamming, etc. band that ever existed. It scares me to think if Pete Townshend never was born in the time that he was....how many other songwriters do we not know of or will never know of throughout history?...all these thoughts make me stay up at night with a general sense of anxiety! Ha!
Don't worry about the length, you're doing the this the justice it deserves. This was the first album I ever bought (I was 13), so you can imagine my mixed feelings when a couple of years ago, my daughter played Mrs Walker, in a regional theatre production of the musical version of this show.
A very ambitious and experimental album. The context of this album is steeped in the psychedelic rock and the visual art, literature and theater of that time. Artists where fusing together all kinds of things and expanding what music could do. People were flying to the moon, recording technology is becoming more sophisticated. The feeling of limitless potential in creativity and song forms are evident on this album. They had a big budget and time to execute this project. Perhaps not the greatest album ever made, the fact that it even exists at all is amazing. Some great tracks on Tommy no doubt.
Welcome! ... to the Epicness! Thank you so much for doing this. Come on the Amazing Journey.... oh, my. This will set you well for if you get to their Live epicness, “Live at Leeds’. Tommy set the bar so high for The Who that they really struggled with just how to follow it up. But that’s later. I still remember hearing this for the first time. A warm summer night at home. Late, like maybe 10 pm and my favorite radio station debuted this album by playing it in it’s entirety. This was RARE back in those days! I just sat in my room and felt ... changed. This was amazing stuff! Enjoy it my friend! And hey, I was just picturing myself wearing a t-shirt or hoodie that said, “Casually awesome’ on it. I like it!
Oh, Dicon, Sweetheart, I dislike people who correct others for spelling , mispronunciation, and other stupid stuff. It usually reads as like someone’s trying to feel bigger than that person then or it’s just something uncomfortable I get. I don’t mean to correct you as anything other than PT’s name cannot be mispronounced by you, or anyone; especially since I think you could maybe become a real fan of that most-eloquent and exciting band: The Who! So when I heard you say: Pete TownSHEND, my heart sunk for you! So, from now on, Mentally Drop the ‘H’ In Townshend when you say his name. Then it becomes as it’s meant to be said...as Pete ‘Townsend’. But, don’t go misspelling it either, my friend! The above was for your phonetic use only. Remember the ‘H’ if you’re spelling his well-respected (hmm; in my book anyway. That’s another story that’s not for now!) name. So you don’t know it but you taught me how to properly say: Cut-Thru-huh. Consider this a backatcha!
"Tommy" had been recorded but not yet released when The Who performed it at Woodstock in August 1969. It was new to the audience and The Who killed it; the climax and conclusion of that was a pinnacle of the festival; check it out on the "Woodstock" film some day.
'The worst gig we ever played.' - Pete Townsend on Woodstock (not my opinion, of course, but I was not on stage; I watched them blow me away and never stopped being a fan)
You may already know this, but generally overtures pull together all the various musical themes from throughout the musical into a medley, and indeed that's what this one does. What a great interpretation on your part to realize how it sounds like ocean waves - or perhaps a battle (not sure if the Captain was in the Navy or the Army...). When you get to the end, do go back and re-listen to the overture (at least) to realize all the different songs that were represented there.
^this^ I seem to recall comments saying the same about The Day Begins (the Overture) for The Moody Blues Days of Future Passed on your video for that. One of the great pleasures of relistening to these albums is recognizing the musical motifs in the Overtures at the start. The bit that caused you to say "epic." You'll definitely hear that again...
Nice hearing this again and your reaction; I haven't heard this whole album in close to 50 years and had forgotten how great it is! An amazing concept album. Can't wait to hear the rest with you.
The Who is a Great Classic Rock Band ! their music is iconic. Tommy is a very Deep album. Now that you have embarked down this road, It is a must you watch the the movie ! Great choice Daniel ! the Journey just keeps getting better by the day ! Keep up the Great work !
So good you have got to Tommy, I was about your age when I first heard it, we didn't have lyric break down back then, so love you do this. Amazing album that spans time as any great opera.
In this original version, Captain Walker kills Mrs. Walker's paramour in front of the boy. In the movie version, the paramour kills Captain Walker. Pete Townsend explains that Tommy witnesses the killing, not directly but from a reflection in a mirror, creating his fascination with mirrors even while deaf, dumb and blind. It's such a wonderful masterpiece of an album. Thanks for doing, Daniel.
You may be right about who kills who, but I always thought that Captain Walker was the one that got snuffed (in both versions). After all "Captain Walker didn't come home, HIS UNBORN CHILD WILL NEVER KNOW HIM".
@@linnymaemullins3319 It's the vision of the murder followed by his parents telling him he didn't see or hear anything and not to say anything that drives his mind inward creating psychosomatic blindness, deafness and dumbness.
I remember reading interview where some critic was praising Pete for writing songs and not conceptual pieces like Sgt Pepper. Pete Interrupts and said “I just wrote a Rock Opera!”
This was a groundbreaking album by one of the premiere bands of the era. After the success of the rock opera Tommy, came the film of which several top acts of the day were cast. For an epic rock masterpiece, check out Elton John’s version of Pinball Wizard. Its spectacular.
Since this was released when there was no internet, no movie to help you, you had to listen and listen closely, and listen many times to truly understand just what was going on. Yes....it was better that way. You worked and you had skin in the game.
Townshends first rock opera was called 'A Quick One, While He's Away'. A sordid little tale about a woman that gets lonely while waiting for her man to come home.
This is awesome, Daniel. I am very excited to go through this journey with you. I saw the movie when it came out in '75, I was 12 and did not really know much about The Who but I was blown away and became a huge fan. It was a strange and unusual movie for a 12 yr old but I loved it and of course the music. After you listen to the album you should check out the movie, Roger Daltrey is really very good in it. Enjoy
Great pick. Enjoy this young man. A classic, an epic musical rock opera, The Who firing on all cylinders. The first in a trilogy of great Who albums along with Who’s Next, followed by Quadrophenia. You are listening to a historical recording. Thank you for bringing us along. 🔥
This version is more than just remastered. There are different takes of vocals and some points where Pete is singing where I thought Roger did originally. An example is the first verse of Amazing Journey Roger is singing an octave lower and changing some notes. It sounds really good but I wasn't expecting the changes.
Yes, it is different. I didn't notice any change in Amazing Journey, but Eyesight to the Blind was definitely different. The first two verses were sung in a much lower range than on the album I have.
Tommy is a Brilliant album! 1969 Masterpiece! The GENIUS of songwriter Pete Townshend!! Who's Next.. is another Who Masterpiece album from 1971 along with Quadrophenia in 1973. Love The Who!😎🎼🎶🇨🇦
Yes, unbelievable, but they played this live. The live versions are epic. Heavier guitar, quicker tempos and just powerful. Before they began Townshend would declare, "assemble the musicians!" Of course, it was just the 4 of them. Then Moon would click his drum stick on the rim of the snare mimicking a conductor with his baton on his music stand. Brilliant
It's a bizarre story, and the Entwistle songs don't belong, but it's definitely a slightly flawed masterpiece, music-wise. Townshend's guitar style is amazing. He made strumming sound like rock music. I think "Underture" is my favorite piece. It's haunting. Great to listen to with all the lights out. Can you imagine many modern rockers writing something this brilliant? The sixties and seventies were amazing. Those musicians took us on an "Amazing Journey." And now you young folks get to go on it, too!
Tommy was the first rock opera. I got to see it by myself at the mall when I was 14. Captain Walker was Tommy's father, he came back from the service and was killed. You should see the movie Tommy the double album is the whole script of the movie Tommy. It will all make sense to you if you do. ✌❤
I think Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice had to have listened to this album before they were done writing Jesus Christ Superstar. That trumpet/French horn over the drums in the "Overture" had to have impact on Webber and his music writing. Put "Jesus Christ Superstar" original concept recording (1970) on your list.
Sparks at 16:54. One of my most favorite cuts on the album. I was 17 when I first bought the record (I'm 63 now). When they do Sparks live, it is epic!
Regarding Tommy's deaf, dumb and blind state, here is something that I don't think is talked about much, even in interviews. Pete Townshend was a big fan of the Indian guru Meher Baba. As a young man, Baba, who had no spiritual leanings at all, had an encounter with an old woman who was considered saintly by some, and crazy by others. She kissed Baba on the forehead, which put him into what was said to be a transcendent state of consciousness, where he was mostly out of touch with reality, and hardly ate or slept for 9 months. Then (the story goes) another guru saw him coming and threw a rock, hitting him in the same place on the forehead. This started Baba on the 5 year road to being able to maintain his spiritual state and also interface with the normal world. They say he was a totally changed person with all of this new spiritual knowledge. A while later he stopped speaking and used hand gestures or an alphabet board to communicate and even write books. I believe that some aspects of the Tommy story, especially the Pinball Wizard part, were influenced by the Meher Baba story, which Townshend knew well. The movie Tommy is also very entertaining - with Eric Clapton, Elton John, Tina Turner, and more.
What an extraordinary story! I knew about Meher Baba and his 'muni'(?) thing - not speaking as a spiritual discipline of some kind - but didn't know the back story. Thanks for sharing it.
One of the best story ever, and Capt. Walker was in the military, his son is or becomes the blind, deaf and dumb boy named Tomm, which the whole album centers around. You are on a voyage!👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻
OH YEAH! Can’t wait. Great album. Pinball Wizard takes on a whole new dimension when you know the story. You should watch the movie sometime. Daltry plays Tommy, Elton John sings Pinball Wizard, Tina Turner (Oh, man, you have got to do some reactions to Turner!), Eric Clapton, the rest of the Who and other stars, celebrities of the era are in it.
I do love you keep finding great iconic music music from my youth . You would have loved being around in the 60 & 70s! This Album shows the great creativity and genius of Pete Townsend . The story is a bit dark in places as you will find as you go through it. I was lucky enough to see original members The Who perform this at the time. I personally prefer this album to Quadraphenia. John Entwistle not only the brilliant Bass Player but also plays the French Horn you hear through out the album. Looking forward to the next side !
Nice....and the soundtrack to the movie is pretty good.This showed all the people who said that rock and roll was just a bunch of noise that rock was an art.
The middle studio album between Tommy and Quadrophenia, Who's Next, might be better than both. Who's Next was to be another concept/opera album called Lifehouse.
