Tommy (1972)
Pete’s Money Machine.
I actually considered (for just a moment) gathering together all the Tommys that had been released under Pete Townshend’s guidance over the years. The original, movie soundtrack, stage shows (yeah, there was even an ‘understudy cast’ release), Deluxe reissues, Broadway, etc, etc. Then I thought better of the idea. Listening back-to-back to, maybe, a dozen different Tommys was the notion-killer. So, instead, here’s the London Symphony Orchestra’s version of Tommy, first released on Ode Records in 1972, featuring The Who, Rod Stewart, Merry Clayton, Ringo Starr, Richie Havens and Maggie Bell, among others. It’s actually an OK rendition, as long as you can separate it from The Who’s original, which isn’t hard to do. At the time of its release (in an elaborate 2-LP box with libretto) it just seemed like so much overblown nonsense to me. Hearing it again, almost 40 years later, it’s easier to appreciate the inventive orchestrations and the lively mix of talent – though, it should be noted that the lead vocals are pretty much lacking across the board. So, it’s no substitute, but it’s a strange ride that was actually kinda fun to hear in my old age… for probably the last time. Tommy is available @ Amazon on CD, and was just reissued in 2009.
Overture (3:14)
It’s A Boy (Sandy Denny) (2:28)
1921 (Steve Winwood) (1:55)
Amazing Journey (Pete Townshend) (6:35)
Sparks (3:21)
Eyesight For The Blind (Richie Havens) (2:30)
Christmas (Steve Winwood) (4:42)
Cousin Kevin (John Entwistle) (4:23)
The Acid Queen (Merry Clayton) (3:48)
Underture (4:38)
Do You Think It’s Alright? (Maggie Bell) (0:31)
Fiddle About (Ringo Starr) (1:25)
Pinball Wizard (Rod Stewart) (3:47)
There’s A Doctor I’ve Found (Steve Winwood) (2:47)
Go To The Mirror (Steve Winwood) (1:47)
Tommy, Can You Hear Me? (Maggie Bell) (1:51)
Smash The Mirror (Maggie Bell) (1:26)
I’m Free (Roger Daltry) (2:32)
Miracle Cure (0:12)
Sensation (Roger Daltry) (2:37)
Sally Simpson (Pete Townshend) (5:13)
Welcome (Roger Daltry) (4:43)
Tommy’s Holiday Camp (Ringo Starr) (2:22)
We’re Not Gonna Take It (Roger Daltry) (5:29)
See Me, Feel Me (Finale from We’re Not Gonna Take It) (Roger Daltry) (3:05)
26 Comments
Search HERE
I’ve been looking for this forever. I’ve yet to hear it, and even if some of the vocals aren’t up to standard I doubt it’s any worse than some of Ann-Margaret’s vocals from the 1975 film.
Ann-Margaret! God, it’s coming back to me.
I have great admiration for the music Pete Townshend has created over the years….except for Tommy. To my ears, the endless variations on this one idea has belittled Townshend’s original work.
I’ve got a funny relationship with Tommy, too. I actually like the Live At Leeds version, but it’s hard for me to even listen to the original, and generally all of the variants. Even this one, to a degree. It still has a few solid Townshend compositions, though, regardless of how one perceives it all. Thanks JP.
I agree Cap — the Live at Leeds version has really stood the test of time. Keith Moon’s energy adds — how you say? — a certain panache to the entire thing.
Without a doubt. But, I get why Townshend would want to hear it with an orchestra – even if only as a creative excercise. It’s just that listeners only have so much time, and a couple of lesser Tommys are bound to get no needle time as a result.
I have a soft spot for the original — sounds a little thin but I like the sound. I do recall Kit Lambert moaning that they spent months making the recording and then the bastards went out and played it better live. Which must have been frustrating for him, as producer. But it was true. We have Leeds as proof, and I saw them do it in Oxford and was blown away. By the time the LSO all-star version came out I was rolling my eyes and I don’t think I ever heard it. By now I can probably listen without (much) prejudice. Thanks for the opportunity. (And I love the concept of “lesser Tommys”!)
Like most Tommys, this one isn’t indispensable. But… its got its moments. Never had a chance to see them in their prime.
Thanks for this. Must be because the LSO version was my first exposure to the complete Tommy that I have a soft spot in my heart for it. I’ll take the original, LSO and Leeds versions over the Broadway version any day. Pete, why’d you rewrite the ending for Broadway?
Never even heard the Broadway version. How did he change the ending?
Swiping from Wkipedia:
Something about that change really rubbed me the wrong way when I saw a student production of it last year at the local university. It just rang false somehow.
Thanks. A student production of Tommy? You’re a braver man than I.
Not so brave, they made some interesting adaptations (Tommy played Wii instead of pinball). Most of the time, the remembered sound in my head drowned out the weaker on-stage performances. Except at the end, when in-head and on-stage music and lyrics were widely divergent. I thought the student performance had taken liberties there; found out later it was Townsend himself who had done the rewriting.
Very interesting. “Wii Wizard” doesn’t have quite the same ring, though.
Even the Smithereens released a cover album of “Tommy” songs a year or so ago.
JB
I remember coercing a friend to give me a ride to the closest record store – then about 10 miles away – to buy this, and how excited I was when I got it home and shut myself away in my room. I opened it up, paged through the book (I *still* miss proper inserts and artwork) while listening to all four sides of the vinyl in one sitting. Thank you for the chance to hear it again.
So did you like it?
I downloaded a beautiful vinyl rip of the original “Tommy” last week, by the grumpy but great “pbthal”, who unfortunately shut down his website just a few days ago. And let me say that the original, as produced and mastered in 1969, sounds magnificent. As though I had never heard it before, which might explain why I never liked the album very much.
I might even give one a single listen, out of new-found zeal.
You can’t beat the original version which will always be my favorite incarnation to hear, but the Leeds version will rank a mighty close second, especially the full version heard on the Deluxe Leeds edition.
Actually, there’s another truly noteworthy version that could easily be overlooked. It’s Pete Townshend’s demos, which I’m listening to right now. They are/were available on “and your bird can swing”. Really nice to hear such an intimate take on the whole overblown construction. I’m at “Amazing Journey” right now, full of home-made psychedelia like John Lennon used to do with a four-track, I swear it’s better than on the album.
Good call. I’m partial to the later, Lifehouse demos myself, but Pete’s readings are always truly noteworthy. Here’s the Birdie link.
Rod’s Pinball Wizard is fab, never liked the Elton soundtrack. Isle Of Wight Fest 1970 “Tommy” is the best live set
Re Ann-Margret All I remember is that H-P baked beans never tasted the same after that. Also I think she sang wonderfully compared to Oliver Reed!
BTW I know that the “sound” of the music required tapes of Pete’s music at live concerts, but the first time I saw them play I never forgave them for using tapes, I felt like I had been cheated. Roger tells some funny stories about tapes breaking and its the least of the ways some people cheat nowadays.
Anyway thanks for this LSO version it will be fun to hear it again. I think I only played it once or twice when I bought it. I wonder what became of my copy?
The Flaming Lips rolled into Austin for the first time in the mid-eighties, the longest-haired Okies in the world, and opened for “the Shitty Beatles” at The Beach. Their set—TOMMY,(although, I may be the only one who recognized it!). Thanks for the amazing journey!!!
Very cool.