The Who - Tommy (1975 Film)
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.29 You Save: $10.65 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.57 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Tommy (1975 Film)
Free Music Review: Give This Version a Chance!
Hit: 4 Stars
Don't jump on the Anti-Movie bandwagon! Give this soundtrack a fair chance. The sound is amazing in it's remastered glory and some songs (ie: I'm Free, Fiddle About, Eyesight to the Blind, Acid Queen) actually sound better on this CD than they do on the original Who album.The new songs written for the movie (Bernie's Holiday Camp, Champagne, and Mother and Son) fit in nicely. Bernie's Holiday Camp is a personal favorite of mine. The song is campy and, more importantly, establishes the relationships between the boyfriend, Tommy, and the mother.
My only complaint is that some songs are missing instrumental breaks. Bernie's Holiday Camp, Eyesight to the Blind, and Acid Queen are all missing at least a minute or two of instrumental. The album is re-edited nicely so the untrained listener does not notice.
The soundtrack's not flawless, but is by no means bad.
Free Music Review: Tommy
Hit: 4 Stars
This recording has been bashed and shamed by many, but it is brilliantly unique. Though the film, to the best of my knowledge, has been withdrawn from circulation, this album can hit hard. There are some truly dreadful pieces but others shine and will hit home. Do not listen to it alone and I definitely do not recommend for younger children. This can be scary stuff, but some of the cuts are incredible. How did Keith Moon do it? Who ever asked Ann Margaret to sing? <tho no abuse attended she gave it her best under Ken Russel's direction>. This is definitely not casual listening so beware but there are moments of true art. For fans and open minded only.Free Music Review: Solid, but lacks that speical something of concert production
Hit: 4 Stars
I am not sure of Ann-Margaret and Oliver Reed were the best choice for Tommy, but they do bring lots of talent to the score.
Tina Turner and Jack Nicholson absolutely steal the show. If you need any reason to watch this film or listen to the soundtrack, it should be for Tina and Jack.
The film does not seem as dated as say the film version of Hair, but if it were refilmed today it would be amazing.
Free Music Review: The Soundtrack Is Better Than The Movie
Hit: 3 Stars
(Note: I do not own the soundtrack but I have seen the movie and have developed an opinion)
The Who's 1969 concept album "Tommy" set a standard for the genre that few albums like it could aspire to (Elton John's "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy" is the only one that springs to mind). So when The Who and Ken Russell decided to turn this near-perfect album into a movie in 1975, many were worried that it would tarnish the reputation of this classic. Well, it didn't ruin the album's credibility, but it did turn out to be a horrible film and the music in the movie is nowhere near as good on the album.
The movie's cast was made up mostly of well known singers, including Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey (as the title character) and best of all Elton John. But the majority of the singing was mostly done by the film's main actors, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed. Now, I know there's been a lot of carping about their singing. So I'm here to set the record straight. Contrary to the opinions of many reviewers, Ann-Margret can sing. That's why her two most popular films ("Bye Bye Birdie" and "Viva Las Vegas") are musicals. However, she is not good at singing hard rock, which is what the movie's music is. The thought of her singing "Smash The Mirror" and some of the album's harder numbers remains a bitter pill to swallow, but she tried her best and did deserve her Oscar nomination for the work (I'd want something in return for having to roll around in chocolate sauce, beans and soap, too). Oliver Reed, on the other hand, is (well, was) a very good actor but really cannot sing. It should also be noted that Jack Nicholson sings on this album. Well he's not as bad as some say but I wouldn't exactly say he's a good singer.
The rest of the album is littered with inferior versions of the Who classic version. Nothing on the album can top the originals. Except for one track. Elton John's version of "Pinball Wizard" is explosive, campy and energetic. I like it more than The Who's version. In addition, it's longer.
However, other than that, this album isn't exactly a must have. Then again, if I had a choice between listening to the soundtrack and seeing the movie, this would win.
Free Music Review: Tonedeaf, Dumb, And Blind
Hit: 3 Stars
Hmmm. What can one say about this CD? On the plus side it features some of Pete Townshend's most inventive use of his synthesiser. The sound tapestry he created here is absolutely incredible. It had to be because...
On the negative side it features some of the lamest singing you ever heard in your life. Not from the actual musicians that were used (after all, we're talking about Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, and Arthur Brown, not to mention Pete and Roger Daltrey, who shines in this movie), but from Oliver Reed and Ann-Margret, who takes up about 70 % of the soundtrack, not to mention Jack Nicholson.
If for some reason you are a fan of the soundtrack, the sound quality here is excellent. Plus it features the "Overture From Tommy" which is not found on the vinyl version (at least not on my copy), credited to The Who but sounding like Pete Townshend playing all the instruments (as he does on a number of songs).
The movie is worth your while seeing, if only for Ken Russell's unique visual style and Roger Daltrey's performance (he was born to play Tommy).
Otherwise stick to the Who's original.