For a group that hasn’t released a new album in 20 years, the Who have been through the reissue and live album mill like no other. Live At The Royal Albert Hall, from a November 27, 2000 performance (also available on DVD), has surfaced as a two-CD set with plenty of extras. Aside from special appearances by Bryan Adams, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Eddie Vedder at this show, there’s a third bonus disc with four songs from the same venue on February 8, 2002, marking the final performance from bassist John Entwistle with the Who.
Meanwhile, Who Deluxe Editions just keep rolling off the presses from MCA. Collectors can now add an expanded Who’s Next to their copies of My Generation (itself re-released again as a SACD) and Live At Leeds. Not only do you get yet another remastered version of the original album; there’s six songs from the aborted, unreleased Who’s Next sessions from the Record Plant in New York. A second disc comprises an off-the-cuff show from the Young Vic Theatre in London. The concert was originally intended to be part of Lifehouse, the ill-fated concept of Pete Townshend’s that morphed into Who’s Next. My advice: Trade in your old copies and scoop this baby up. It’s a real keeper.
~ Shawn Perry
