I have to get this but can only hope there's a vinyl version coming..there'd hafta be right? weird they could never really get Quadrophenia together live

The Who Expand Quadrophenia in an Upcoming Deluxe Edition Box
"...I'm finished with the fashions, and acting like I'm tough..."
By Matt Rowe, Columnist




The Who have been a powerful force in the world of rock and roll. Although not every album has (arguably) been their best, there are some that stand tall amongst albums, any albums. The band's 1973 super two-disc classic, Quadrophenia, is one of these.

After the release of two genuine classics (Tommy - 1969, Who's Next - 1971), the arrival of Quadrophenia added remarkably to what could be considered a holy trinity of back-to-back-to-back classics. Quadrophenia made a dramatic attempt to replicate the success of the other rock opera, Tommy. It tells the story of a teen (Jimmy) in the midst of a transitional period, plagued by a series of disruptions that bode poorly for this representative of a disenchanted generation, the audience that The Who spoke to - and understood.

Quadrophenia's 17 tracks filled four sides of vinyl in a time where single albums were hard enough to complete with great tracks. With the aura of the previous two releases still glowing, Quadrophenia was an extraordinary success. Quadrophenia had become one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Pete Townshend called it “...the best album that I will ever write.” And so it is.

Years ago, at the height of the SACD period, Townshend had hinted that he was working on Quadrophenia as a release in that new format. Unfortunately, it never materialized. In June of 2011, Townshend let it be known that he was in the middle of creating an immense deluxe edition of Quadrophenia. Recently, the details of that anticipated box set have come to light and it will be a treat for those who have that unique connection to the album.

On November 14, 2011, the newest reissue of Quadrophenia will be released in the UK. The box will be a treasure of riches that will be contained on four CDs, a DVD, and within the pages of a hardbound book. The original album is remastered by Bob Pridden, who works closely with Pete Townshend. Not only is the original material being remastered, but Pridden has remixed eight of the album's tracks (why not the whole album, Pete?) into 5.1 Surround tracks that Pete calls “mind-blowing.”

The first two CDs will contain the original album with the remaining two CDs a set of demos, including songs that never made the cut of the album. The DVD will house the eight previously mentioned multi-channel tracks. The hardbound book should be a tome of worth with expected notes, photos, assorted memorabilia, and whatever else will find its way into this collectible necessity. Additionally, there will be an included 7” single, and set of insert cards.

Since there are many thresholds that we are willing to visit but unable or unwilling to cross, there will be a two-CD remastered set, a two-LP set, and the expected Digital Download (DD) tracks made available. The box is currently available for pre-order via Amazon UK.

I don't know about you, but this set is my holy grail for 2011

I'm so tired of these.

...and this sort of writing makes me epically bitter that someone like this has a career in music journalism while I toil fruitlessly away in the pits of blue collar hell.

think it's just a fanblog? i didn't read it, i don't have to.

you're tired of the Who? how??

i didn't write it, it's just the first i've heard of it is all..

I'll always love The Who. I'm just tired of these stupid mega-deluxe box sets.

I get ye but this is hopefully a pretty great one. I want the Achtung baby one, even though it's the same songs remixed endlessly. this one'll be good though.

you know you're old when you're favourite bands start releasing boxsets.

I'd object to them far less if they all came with an alternative 1CD option that collected all the audio-only bonus material and nothing else. I don't care about new mixes, 24554-page booklets, facsimiles of concert tickets, DVD's of band members playing Pictionary with each other, etc.

well that all has its merits too.. personally i sorta wish the PJ boxset's book came with some essays etc. don't get me wrong, i love the books with the super deluxes but some thought would have been nice instead of endless passes tickets and sort of no word from any of the band about the time.

At least this comes with a hefty essay from Townshend about the whole recording and history of the era.

in a way with the PJ deluxe editions, theyve painted themselves into a corner, not being able in future to do an expanded ultra mega version of Ten or whatever it is.

I don't know, seeing Keith Moon fruitlessly try to draw a picture of a snowbunny and then lashing out at Roger for being so retarded and not recognizing it after the buzzer went off would be priceless.

I think Lance Mercer stole a lot of the wind from 's boxsets by getting all those famous people to write those short essays in his book. They all really should have been in the PJ20 book really.

This is a half-hearted attempt at a Kevin Davis post. Peter, you should find your own voice as a poster.

and it wasn't in elevens

This is exactly what these are for, though. It's all in the business of paraphernalia. People are paying for the packaging more than for the actual content, especially since the content itself is all readily available on the internet.

This is a half-farted attempt at a Beef post. Jorge, you should find your own voice as a poster.

Damn.

It happens.

God bless the internet.

a stating the obvious post. Not usually part of Jorge's repertoire. Perhaps things are changing around here.