The Who By Numbers

Posted by: TomK on 22 May 2012

Listening to it right now. It suffered a bit in comparison to the brilliance of Who's Next, Quadrophenia and the rest but it's a first class album in its own right.

 

If you haven't heard it in a while give it a listen.

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by Willie Mo
As you say, an under valued Album that deserves more attention, just like "Sell Out" in my opinion. Its well documented that "Numbers" is vitually a solo album recording Townshend's disallusionment with fame and rock & roll. If you dont already own it, you should try Townshend and Laine's "Rough Mix", a far cry from The Who but a good listen all the same. Will
Posted on: 23 May 2012 by Cat lover

+ 1 for Rough Mix, a fine album that seems to have sailed under the radar.

 

Some find Who By Numbers too gloomy. They should try Townes Van Zandt!

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by mrclick

Yes its a shame Who By Numbers was less loved when it came out. When you listen with the benefit of historical perspective, its a good'un. More of a Pete Townsend 'songwriter' record but I rate it.

 

Keith Moon was still playing really well, and never recorded at this level again. Who Are You was way less good with the exception of the title track, and Keith's playing was a shadow of his former self by then.

 

Anyway, it also happens to be one of the few Who records still available on Classic Records, if you dig just a bit. The Classic Records Who range are wonderful pressings. 

 

I have an original 1975 numbered pressing and the newer Classic re-issue. The Classic is every bit as good.

 

Get one while you can - if you want one.

 

 

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by CEverett

Slip Kid is way too underrated as a Who song.  Great vocal performance by Roger and Pete has two really good but very different and therefore effective "storytelling" solos.  I could listen that song on single song repeat all day, if I had Who By Numbers on CD.  Need to get it on CD for that reason, and b/c my vinyl copy never sounded great.

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by CariocaJeff

+2 for Rough Mix. Ronnie was so weak by then with MS but somehow they got through it and some brilliant Townshend lyrics and vocals.

 

Think 'how many friends' off Who by numbers shows how fed up Pete was with the whole fame thing

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by Big Brother

He was so fed up with the fame, the girls, the adolation..... I can soooo identify with that.

 

Those travails of a rock star/celebrity always seemed a little hollow to me, however, it is a nice album in it's way.  What we would give for something as accessible and singable by todays standards.  Not that I have any problem with what's giong on musically today,, but,.. I digress.

 

I would take Quadrophenia as the current Who fave album.

 

Nice too finally see a thread on this band.....

 

 

Bro

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by J.N.

+3 for 'Rough Mix' though I only like the PT tracks. The man is a bloody genius. Check out his solo home recording of 'Behind Blue Eyes' on 'Scoop'. Spine tingling.

 

I'm currently in a 'Quadrophenia' repeated playing phase (again). The double vinyl package is a thing of stark visual beauty too.

 

John.

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by CEverett

Quadrophenia saved my life, musically.  I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma where we had to take the bad with the good of Oklahoma City's two FM rock stations.  The Bad: 38 special, Blue Oyster Cult, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Lynard Skynard, etc.  The Good: The Who, the Stones and the Kinks (only the popular songs), occasional Pretenders and Clash, Bowie, The Cars, etc.  But the Bad always threatened to overwhelm the Good.  I was given a copy of Quadrophenia for Christmas in 8th grade (1981), was blown away by the whole album and never tolerated any of those songs from the "Bad" category when they happened to come on the radio.  And I happily -- for a short time at least -- became a rock-and-roll snob.

 

Also, for a short time we had the fortune of good college radio with OU's radio station (KGOU).  Lots of fun stuff over the air with that, including my introduction to the fun German band, Trio.  Uh-huh, Uh-huh, Uh-huh.  But the fun didn't last as that station soon left it's music independence for a public radio format.  And then my turntable got even more use.

 

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by mrclick
Originally Posted by J.N.:

......... The double vinyl package is a thing of stark visual beauty too.

 

John.

There's one or two photos of stark visual beauty on posters in the booklet as well J.N. (don't pretend you don't know what I mean!!)

 

Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy was the first LP I bought at age 12. A toss up with the Beatles for my pocket money, and I went the right way from the off. I will never forget seeing them do Join Together on Top of the Pops - Roger swinging his mike round his head and Pete and Keith acting like demented people. I was hooked - line and sinker.

 

Even today The Who give so much more in live shows than bands a quarter their age.

 

I love 'em. 

Posted on: 23 May 2012 by CariocaJeff

Tommy was my first real album  (after Mary Poppins and Chitty Chittu Bang Bang). The Quadrophenia tour was first time I went to a rock concert. The Odeon Newcastle - came out as a bootleg many years later. They played 3 nights - first PT got upset and ripped up the  effects tapes forQuadrophenia. 2nd night a bit lacking. 3rd night, the one I was at they came alive - unbelievable - Townshend insisted they played until RD voice gave up!

 

Still enjoy all the who albums.