Pete Townshend - White City
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Free Music Notes for White City
Free Music Review: A focused masterpiece from Pete bonus tracks are nice but remaster sounds harsh
Hit: 5 Stars
Reissues are only as good as their remasters/bonus tracks. This has two terrific bonus tracks and a remix from the 12 inch single of the time. The remaster is louder, compressed and harsh sounding compare to the terrific CD mastered by Barry Diament. Go for the first CD issue which has great dynamic range, sounds warm and buy the bonus tracks as downloads. The production by Chris Thomas once again demonstrates that Townshend and Thomas were made for each other. He brings out the best in Townshend and captures it perfectly on tape.
Along with "Empty Glass" "White City" stands among Pete Townshend's best solo albums. From the rumbling, atmospheric opening of "Give Blood" (with nice guitar work by guest David Gilmour)this "novel" which was written to go along with the TV film that Townshend wrote (it was directed by Richard Lowenstein)the album stands on its own perfectly. Townshend's (as someone else pointed out here)ability as a vocalist has always been underestimated. Sure he doesn't quite have the power of Daltry but he is an emotional singer able to highlight the given dominant feeling from the point of view of the character of the song.
The original CD had the lyrics and there aren't any notes on the making of the lbum (unlike "Who Came First")but that's made up for by the inclusion of two strong bonus tracks "Night School" written by Townshend and a cover of the English Beat's "Save It For Later" (which also appears on live album "Pete Townshend's Deep End-Live"). Although "Night School" doesn't hold it's own with the best songs on here it's a solid song worth having for Townshend fans. "Save It For Later" features Townshend alone on acoustic guitar singing the song. The bonus 12inch version of "Hiding Out" is a nice addition for fans but doesn't compare to the album version which is more succint and direct.
I do wish that Hip-O had included notes on the making of the album. To the best of my knowledge the Japanese pressing is the same as the U.S. except that it is a replica of the original vinyl album sleeve. So unless you want it for the collectible cover, I'd go for the original CD issue since it sounds better.
Album-5 stars
Bonus tracks-3 stars
Remaster Sound-3 stars (compared to 5 for the original)
Free Music Review: Perfect album - more annoying industry gimmicks
Hit: 5 Stars
For me personally, not only is this album Pete Townshend's masterpiece, but alongside Jeff Buckley's "Grace", Seal's "Human Being", and Elton John's "Captain Fantastic", this is definitely one of my all time favorite albums period.
Everyone always talks about Pete Townshend the guitar player, and Pete Townshend the tunesmith. And don't get me wrong, he is an absolute master craftsman at both. But his ability to deliver an emotional vocal performance is so overlooked, it's nearly criminal.
Personal preferences and comparisons aside, this album is a monster. From the opening surge of rhythm in Give Blood to the furious driving end of Come To Mama, this album just does not let up. Each song is a unique vehicle containing both power and beauty.
This release contains three bonus tracks, two previously unreleased songs, and an extended version (remix) of my absolute favorite song on the album, Hiding Out. The two bonus cuts are good songs. I'm glad I have them and listen to them along with the rest of the album.
But the joy of having the 12" version of Hiding Out is just too much. Even though this is more or less an extended remix, and not a true pure extension of the song, there are moments of isolation where the acoustic guitars and drums are much more prevalent here. This is an album I can not recommend more highly.
The sole complaint I have is that there are very expensive Japanese import releases of all Pete Townshend's albums that contain a few additional bonus live cuts. Why do we ALWAYS have to be subjected to record company gimmicks at every turn on these "special edition" re-releases? There is ample room at the end of this CD to put those tracks on here. So why not include them? (Yes I already know the answer).
This quirk aside, for me, this album is about as good as it gets....