Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition: The Who’s Ultimate Reissue

Why should classic rock fans care about another reissue? The Who Are You super deluxe edition isn’t your typical cash grab. This comprehensive package includes eight discs that completely recontextualize the band’s eighth studio album.

Released originally in August 1978, Who Are You reached number two on the Billboard 200. It achieved double platinum status. The album became a cultural touchstone when its title track later appeared in the CSI television franchise.

This new edition features material that classic rock artists and historians have wanted for decades. The rejected Glyn Johns mix appears for the first time ever. Steven Wilson created brand-new Dolby Atmos and stereo mixes. Additionally, the package includes a stunning 100-page hardback book with extensive sleeve notes by Matt Kent.

Critics are calling this release “how all deluxe releases should be done.” The attention to detail is extraordinary. From previously unpublished photographs to original print advertisements, every element serves to illuminate the band’s creative process during this pivotal period.

What makes this album so emotionally significant for rock fans? The Who Are You super deluxe edition represents Keith Moon’s final studio recording with the legendary band. Moon died on September 7th, 1978, just weeks after the album’s release.

The album captured The Who at a crossroads. Pete Townshend was exploring synthesizers and complex arrangements. John Entwistle contributed three exceptional songs. Roger Daltrey delivered some of his most powerful vocals. Meanwhile, Keith Moon’s drumming, though affected by personal struggles, still contained flashes of his trademark brilliance.

Classic rock news at the time positioned this as a comeback album. The band had taken three years off following The Who By Numbers in 1975. Anticipation for a supporting tour was tremendous. Tragically, Moon’s death prevented those plans from materializing.

This reissue allows fans to hear the album’s evolution. Early rehearsals show Moon experimenting with different approaches. Session outtakes reveal the band working through challenges. The final mixes demonstrate how they crafted one of classic rock’s most enduring albums despite considerable obstacles.

How different could the album have sounded? The Who Are You super deluxe edition finally answers that question. For the first time ever, fans can hear Glyn Johns’ complete original mix that the band rejected.

Initial sessions took place at the band’s Ramport Studios. Legendary producer Glyn Johns worked alongside Jon Astley. However, the recording process became fraught with challenges and creative tensions. The band ultimately rejected Johns’ vision for the album’s sound.

Johns’ mix presents a rawer, more immediate sonic picture. The guitars hit harder in some places. The synthesizers sit differently in the mix. Vocal treatments vary significantly from the released version. This alternate universe version provides fascinating insight into how production choices shape the final product.

Disc two of the Who Are You super deluxe edition dedicates itself entirely to this rejected mix. Several Steven Wilson remixes also appear here. Together, they offer a comprehensive look at the album’s sonic evolution from first pass to final release.

Can modern technology enhance classic rock without compromising its essence? Steven Wilson proves it’s possible. The acclaimed producer previously worked on The Who’s catalog, bringing his meticulous approach to this project.

Wilson’s Dolby Atmos mix appears on the included Blu-ray disc. This immersive format places listeners inside the recording studio. Townshend’s guitar work surrounds you. Moon’s drums explode from every direction. Entwistle’s bass lines pulse with newfound clarity.

One remarkable discovery emerged during Wilson’s work. He rescued a previously lost guitar solo from “Sister Disco.” This solo existed only on the original multi-track tapes. Fans had never heard it before. Wilson’s detective work unearthed this hidden gem and restored it to its rightful place.

The Blu-ray also includes 5.1 surround sound and PCM stereo mixes. Each format offers different listening experiences. Wilson’s extensive sleeve notes explain his remixing philosophy and the technical challenges he faced during this ambitious project.

What hidden treasures await in the Who Are You super deluxe edition? The collection boasts 71 previously unreleased tracks. This isn’t padding with slightly different mixes. These are genuinely revelatory recordings that expand our understanding of the album.

Disc three presents sessions and demos. Early run-throughs reveal songs in their formative stages. John Entwistle’s demo recordings showcase his compositional process. Session outtakes capture spontaneous moments and creative experiments that didn’t make the final cut.

Never-before-heard alternate takes populate the collection. Different vocal performances change songs’ emotional tenor. Instrumental versions strip away vocals to highlight the band’s musicianship. Studio chatter and false starts provide intimate glimpses into The Who’s working methods.

The package includes material spanning several years. Toronto recordings from 1976 feature an embryonic version of “Who Are You.” Shepperton Studios rehearsals from 1977 and 1978 show the band woodshedding the material. Live recordings from 1979 demonstrate how the songs evolved onstage with the band’s new lineup.

What happens when cameras stop rolling and the real work begins? The Who owned Shepperton Studios at the time. This gave them a private space to develop material without outside pressure. The Who Are You super deluxe edition includes fly-on-the-wall recordings from these intimate sessions.

Disc four features unreleased Shepperton rehearsals. Keith Moon’s personality shines through on covers like The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There.” He also tackles The Beach Boys’ “Barbara Ann.” These loose, fun performances show the band’s camaraderie during breaks from serious work.

The rehearsals capture the band in their most natural state. They joke between takes. They work out arrangements organically. They debate creative choices in real time. This candid documentation provides something priceless for classic rock enthusiasts.

These sessions also reveal the album’s punk rock influences. Pete Townshend wrote the title track after a night out with The Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones and Paul Cook. Songs like “Music Must Change” and “Sister Disco” reflected punk’s ethos while maintaining The Who’s sophisticated musicianship.

How did The Who survive losing their irreplaceable drummer? The Who Are You super deluxe edition documents their rebirth. Discs six and seven feature live recordings from the 1979 United States tour.

The band introduced Kenney Jones in May 1979. Jones, formerly of The Faces and The Small Faces, brought his own style. Keyboard player John “Rabbit” Bundrick joined simultaneously. This new lineup faced enormous pressure to honor Moon’s legacy while forging their own identity.

Steven Wilson newly mixed these 1979 concert recordings. Performances from the Pontiac Silverdome explode with energy. Shows at Philadelphia’s Spectrum capture the band’s renewed confidence. Detroit’s Masonic Temple recordings document the Who Are You material coming alive onstage.

The live tracks prove the band’s resilience. Jones’ drumming differs from Moon’s manic approach. However, it provided solid groundwork for the band’s continued success. They sustained momentum into the 1980s with The Kids Are Alright film, the Quadrophenia movie, and the multi-platinum Face Dances album. Decades later, they continue performing with power and passion.

What if Roger Daltrey hadn’t sung lead on Who Are You? Many original takes feature Pete Townshend’s vocals instead. The Who Are You super deluxe edition reveals this fascinating alternate reality.

Townshend, as the primary songwriter, typically sang guide vocals during tracking. Sometimes these performances possessed their own unique qualities. The super deluxe edition includes several tracks with Townshend’s lead vocals intact.

“New Song” features Townshend’s original vocal performance. His interpretation brings different emotional weight to his own composition. “Guitar and Pen” includes his guide vocal. “Who Are You” early run-throughs showcase his vision before Daltrey’s powerful voice took over.

These versions don’t diminish Daltrey’s contributions. Rather, they illuminate the creative process. Hearing both singers tackle the same material demonstrates how performance choices shape songs’ final identities. It’s like discovering alternate takes from your favorite films.

Which format suits your collection best? The Who Are You super deluxe edition comes in multiple configurations. Each offers different advantages for various types of collectors.

The flagship 7-CD/Blu-ray super deluxe edition provides everything. Seven CDs contain all 71 unreleased tracks plus the remastered album. The Blu-ray features Steven Wilson’s Atmos, 5.1, and stereo mixes. The 100-page hardback book completes this comprehensive package.

Vinyl enthusiasts have options too. The deluxe 4-LP box set presses the album and select live recordings on 180-gram vinyl. A limited-edition yellow vinyl version offers the remastered album in replica sleeve artwork. Half-speed mastered vinyl provides audiophile-quality sound.

Budget-conscious fans can choose the 2-CD deluxe edition. This pairing includes the remastered album plus highlights from studio sessions, demos, and live material. A 16-page booklet provides context. While less comprehensive, it delivers substantial value for newcomers to classic rock collecting.

Should you invest in another classic rock reissue? Absolutely. The Who Are You super deluxe edition justifies its existence through sheer comprehensiveness. This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.

The unreleased material fundamentally changes how we understand the album. The rejected Glyn Johns mix offers genuine historical value. Steven Wilson’s Atmos mix brings new sonic life to familiar songs. The 100-page book contextualizes everything beautifully.

Critics across classic rock news outlets agree this sets the standard. The attention to detail surpasses most reissue campaigns. From the packaging to the audio mastering to the historical documentation, every element received meticulous care.

Who should buy this? Serious Who fans need it in their collections. Classic rock historians will find it indispensable. Audiophiles seeking reference-quality recordings won’t be disappointed. Even casual fans curious about one of rock’s greatest bands will discover compelling reasons to explore this treasure trove.

The Who Are You super deluxe edition represents everything collectors dream about. It offers unprecedented access to the creative process behind an album that bridged classic rock’s past and punk’s emerging future. Simply put, this is how deluxe editions should be done.

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