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The Who / Who’s Next reissue

11-disc super deluxe edition

By Paul Sinclair

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The Who’s 1971 studio album, Who’s Next, is subject of a major reissue campaign in September and will be re-released across a massive number of physical formats, including a 10CD+blu-ray super deluxe edition box set.

The band’s fifth album emerged from the ashes of a project called Lifehouse, an ambitious multi-media rock opera conceived by Pete Townshend in 1969, but ultimately aborted. Who’s Next features some of The Who’s best known songs, including ‘Baba O’Riley’ and ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’.

All the audio has been remastered from the original tapes by longtime Who engineer Jon Astley and there are at least EIGHT different physical formats of Who’s Next and, naturally, the 10CD+blu-ray super deluxe edition box set offers the most content; in total 155 audio tracks with 89 unreleased tracks/mixes and of the previously released tracks, 57 of them are newly remixed. The blu-ray features a Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos Mix (of the album and 14 bonus tracks).

Highlights include Townshend’s demos for Life House; The Who’s 1971 session recordings at the Record Plant in New York; sessions at Olympic Studios in southwest London from 1970-1972; and, for the first time, two newly mixed and complete 1971 concerts from London’s Young Vic Theatre and San Francisco’s Civic Auditorium.

Here’s an overview of what’s on which disc:

Who’s Next box set summary:

  • Disc 1: CD: Who’s Next (Remastered)
  • Disc 2: CD: Pete Townshend’s Life House Demos 1970 – 1971 – Part 1
  • Disc 3: CD: Pete Townshend’s Life House Demos 1970 – 1971 – Part 2
  • Disc 4: CD: Record Plant, New York Sessions, March 1971
  • Disc 5: CD: OIympic Sound Studios, London Sessions 1970 – 1972
  • Disc 6: CD: Singles  & Sessions 1970 – 1972
  • Disc 7: Live at the Young Vic, London 1971 – Part 1
  • Disc 8: Live at the Young Vic, London 1971 – Part 2
  • Disc 9: Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco 1971 – Part 1
  • Disc 10: Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco 1971 – Part 2
  • Disc 11: BLU RAY: Who’s Next & 14 Bonus Tracks: Steven Wilson Mixes Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Stereo  
The Who’s Next 10CD+blu-ray super deluxe edition box set (click to enlarge)

As pictured above, the box set edition includes a 100-page hardcover book which features an introduction by Pete Townshend and new notes by Who experts Andy Neil and Matt Kent. Also included is Life House – The Graphic Novel, a newly commissioned, 170-page hardback book overseen by Townshend that tells the story behind the project. Completing the set are a 20” x 30” poster of a Who gig in Sunderland, England, on 7 May, 1970; a 25” x 34” poster of a date at Denver Coliseum, Denver, CO on 10th December, 1971; a 20-page concert program from the Rainbow Theatre in London on 4th November, 1971; a 16-page program from the band’s October/November 1971 tour of the UK; a collectible four pin button set; and an 8” x 10” colour photo of The Who with printed autographs.

In addition to the big box set, the Who’s Next reissue will be available on 4LP (live at San Francisco), 3LP (demos) and single LP editions. There are various single LP versions including a black half-speed mastered edition and exclusive coloured vinyl editions. There’s also a 2CD set with the second disc offering highlights of ‘Sessions, Demos, Singles & Live’ and a humble single remastered CD, in a jewel case, with the 9 album tracks.

All formats of the Who’s Next reissue will be released on 15 September 2023 via UMR.

Tracklisting

Who’s Next The Who /

    • CD 1: Who’s Next (remastered)
      1. Baba O’Riley
      2. Bargain
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping
      4. My Wife
      5. The Song Is Over
      6. Getting In Tune
      7. Going Mobile
      8. Behind Blue Eyes
      9. Won’t Get Fooled Again
    • CD 2: PETE TOWNSHEND’S LIFE HOUSE DEMOS 1970 – 1971 – PART 1
      1. Teenage Wasteland (Demo)*
      2. Too Much (Demo) *
      3. Going Mobile (Demo)*
      4. There’s A Fortune in Those Hills (Demo)*
      5. Love Ain’t For Keeping (Demo)*
      6. Bargain (Demo)*
      7. Greyhound Girl (Demo)*
      8. Mary (Alternate Mix) (Demo)**
      9. Behind Blue Eyes (Demo)*
      10. Time Is Passing (Demo)*
      11. Finally, Over (Demo)**
      12. Baba O’Riley (Original Demo)**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 3: PETE TOWNSHEND’S LIFE HOUSE DEMOS 1970 – 1971 – PART 2
      1. Pure And Easy (Home Studio Mix) (Demo)*
      2. Getting In Tune (Alternate Mix) (Demo)**
      3. Nothing Is Everything (Let’s See Action) (Demo)*
      4. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Demo)*
      5. Baba O’Riley (Demo)*
      6. Song Is Over (2021 Remix) (Demo)**
      7. Pure And Easy (Olympic Studios Mix) (Demo)**
      8. Mary (Original Mix) (Demo)*
      9. Baba O’Riley (First Editing Demo)**
      10. Song Is Over (Original Demo)*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 4: RECORD PLANT, NYC SESSIONS MARCH 1971
      1. Don’t Do It (aka Baby Don’t You Do It) [Take 2, Unedited, March 16, 1971]**
      2. Won’t Get Fooled Again [Take 13, March 16, 1971]*
      3. Behind Blue Eyes (Version 1) [Take 15, March 16, 1971]**
      4. Love Ain’t For Keeping [Take 14, March 17, 1971]*
      5. The Note (aka Pure and Easy) [Take 21, March 17, 1971]*
      6. I’m In Tune (aka Getting in Tune) [Take 6, March 18, 1971*
      7. Behind Blue Eyes (Version 2) [Take 10, March 18, 1971}*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 5: OLYMPIC SOUND STUDIOS, LONDON SESSIONS 1970-72
      1. Pure And Easy*
      2. I Don’t Know Myself [B-side with Unreleased Count-in]
      3. Time Is Passing [Stereo Mix]**
      4. Too Much of Anything [Original 1971 Vocal]**
      5. Naked Eye [1971 Remake]**
      6. Bargain (Early Mix)**
      7. Love Ain’t For Keeping (Unedited Mix)**
      8. My Wife (Unedited Mix)**
      9. Getting In Tune (Take 1 with Jam)**
      10. Going Mobile (Alternate Mix)**
      11. Song Is Over (Backing Track) [with Nicky Hopkins]**
      12. When I Was a Boy**
      13. Let’s See Action (Unedited Mix)**
      14. Relay (Unedited Mix) [Alternate Vocal]**
      15. Put The Money Down [Remix with Original Vocal]*
      16. Join Together [Unedited Remix]**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 6: SINGLES & SESSIONS 1970-72
      1. The Seeker (Original Single Mix)
      2. Here For More [Original Single Mix]
      3. Heaven And Hell [New Stereo Mix]**
      4. Water [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix]**
      5. I Don’t Know Myself [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix]**
      6. Naked Eye [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix]**
      7. Postcard [Eel Pie Sound Studio – Original 1970 Mix]**
      8. Now I’m A Farmer [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Remix]**
      9. The Seeker (Unedited Version)**
      10. Water (IBC Version)**
      11. I Don’t Know Myself (IBC Version)**
      12. Let’s See Action (Original Single Mix)
      13. When I Was a Boy (Original Single Mix)
      14. Join Together  (Original Single Mix)
      15. Relay (Original Single Mix)
      16. Waspman (Original Single Mix)
      17. Long Live Rock (Original Olympic Mix)
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 7: LIVE AT THE YOUNG VIC, LONDON – APRIL 26, 1971
      1. Love Ain’t for Keeping*
      2. Pure And Easy*
      3. Young Man Blues*
      4. Time Is Passing*
      5. Behind Blue Eyes*
      6. I Don’t Even Know Myself*
      7. Too Much of Anything*
      8. Getting In Tune*
      9. Bargain*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 8: LIVE AT THE YOUNG VIC, LONDON – APRIL 26, 1971
      1. Pinball Wizard**
      2. See Me, Feel Me**
      3. Baby Don’t You Do It*
      4. Water*
      5. My Generation*
      6. (I’m A) Road Runner*
      7. Naked Eye*
      8. Bony Moronie*
      9. Won’t Get Fooled Again*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 9: LIVE AT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 12, 1971
      1. Introduction**
      2. I Can’t Explain*
      3. Substitute*
      4. Summertime Blues**
      5. My Wife*
      6. Baba O’Riley**
      7. Behind Blue Eyes*
      8. Bargain*
      9. Won’t Get Fooled Again**
      10. Baby Don’t You Do It*
      11. Magic Bus**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • CD 10: LIVE AT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 12, 1971
      1. Introduction To Tommy**
      2. Overture**
      3. Amazing Journey**
      4. Sparks**
      5. Pinball Wizard**
      6. See Me Feel Me**
      7. My Generation**
      8. Naked Eye*
      9. Going Down*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased tracks
    • Blu-ray Audio
      Steven Wilson Atmos Mix (48kHz 24-bit)**
      Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix (96kHz 24-bit)**
      Steven Wilson Stereo Mix (96kHz 24-bit)*
      Original 1971 Stereo Mix (96kHz 24-bit)
      1. Baba O’Riley
      2. Bargain
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping
      4. My Wife
      5. The Song Is Over
      6. Getting In Tune
      7. Going Mobile
      8. Behind Blue Eyes
      9. Won’t Get Fooled Again
      Bonus Tracks: Steven Wilson Atmos Mix (48kHz 24-bit) & Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix (96kHz 24-bit), Steven Wilson Stereo Mix (96kHz 24-bit)*
      1. The Seeker (Unedited Version)**
      2. Here For More*
      3. Now I’m A Farmer**
      4. I Don’t Know Myself (Eel Pie Sound Version)**
      5. Water (IBC Version)**
      6. Naked Eye (Olympic Sound Version)**
      7. Pure And Easy**
      8. Too Much of Anything**
      9. Let’s See Action**
      10. When I Was a Boy**
      11. Join Together (Unedited Version)**
      12. Put The Money Down**
      13. Relay (Unedited Version)**
      14. Long Live Rock**

Tracklisting

Who’s Next The Who /

    • CD 1: Who’s Next (remastered)
      1. Baba O’Riley
      2. Bargain
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping
      4. My Wife
      5. The Song Is Over
      6. Getting In Tune
      7. Going Mobile
      8. Behind Blue Eyes
      9. Won’t Get Fooled Again
    • CD 2: Bonus Tracks
      1. Behind Blue Eyes (Record Plant, NYC Sessions – Version
      2. [Take 15, March 16, 1971]**
      3. Getting In Tune (Alternate Mix) (Life House Demo)**
      4. Mary (Alternate Mix) (Life House Demo)**
      5. Love Ain’t For Keeping (Record Plant, NYC Sessions) [Take 14, March 17, 1971]*
      6. Pure And Easy (Olympic Studios Mix) (Life House Demo)**
      7. I Don’t Know Myself [Eel Pie Sound Studio – New Unedited Mix]**
      8. Too Much of Anything [Original 1971 Vocal]**
      9. Time Is Passing (Live at the Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971)*
      10. Bargain (Live at the Young Vic, London – April 26, 1971)*
      11. My Wife (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971)*
      12. Baba O’Riley (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971)**
      13. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Live at the Civic Auditorium, San Francisco – December 12, 1971)**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased

Tracklisting

Who’s Next The Who / WHO’S NEXT / SAN FRANCISCO 1971 4LP

    • LP 1: Who’s Next (remastered)
      SIDE A
      1. Baba O’Riley
      2. Bargain
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping
      4. My Wife
      5. The Song Is Over
      SIDE B
      1. Getting In Tune
      2. Going Mobile
      3. Behind Blue Eyes
      4. Won’t Get Fooled Again
    • LP 2: LIVE AT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 12, 1971
      SIDE C
      1. Introduction**
      2. I Can’t Explain*
      3. Substitute*
      4. Summertime Blues**
      5. My Wife*
      6. Baba O’Riley**
      SIDE D
      1. Behind Blue Eyes*
      2. Bargain*
      3. Won’t Get Fooled Again**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased
    • LP 3: LIVE AT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 12, 1971
      SIDE E
      1. Baby Don’t You Do It*
      2. Magic Bus**
      SIDE F
      1. Introduction To Tommy**
      2. Overture**
      3. Amazing Journey**
      4. Sparks**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased
    • LP 4: LIVE AT THE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 12, 1971
      SIDE G
      1. Pinball Wizard**
      2. See Me Feel Me**
      3. My Generation**
      SIDE H
      1. Naked Eye*
      2. Going Down*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased

Tracklisting

Who’s Next The Who / WHO’S NEXT / PETE TOWNSHEND’S LIFE HOUSE ACETATES – VINYL REPLICA 3LP

    • LP 1: Who’s Next (remastered)
      SIDE A
      1. Baba O’Riley
      2. Bargain
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping
      4. My Wife
      5. The Song Is Over
      SIDE B
      1. Getting In Tune
      2. Going Mobile
      3. Behind Blue Eyes
      4. Won’t Get Fooled Again
    • LP 2: PETE TOWNSHEND’S LIFE HOUSE ACETATES – VINYL REPLICA
      SIDE C
      1. Pure And Easy (Home Studio Mix) (Demo)*
      2. Behind Blue Eyes (Demo)*
      3. Love Ain’t For Keeping (Demo)*
      4. Mary (Original Mix) (Demo)*
      SIDE D
      1. Getting In Tune (Alternate Mix) (Demo)**
      2. Going Mobile (Demo)*
      3. Too Much (Demo)*
      4. Time Is Passing (Demo)*
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased
    • LP 3: PETE TOWNSHEND’S LIFE HOUSE ACETATES – VINYL REPLICA
      SIDE E
      1. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Demo)*
      2. Song Is Over (Original Demo)*
      SIDE F
      1. Baba O’Riley (Original Demo)**
      * Previously released with new remix
      ** Previously unreleased

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