WHO ARE YOU, l'ottavo album in studio degli Who, esce oggi in 5 nuovi formati, tra cui un'edizione super deluxe con oltre 70 brani inediti, incluse versioni inedite della title track "Who Are You", brani live remixati tratti dal loro primo tour senza il batterista originale Keith Moon e registrazioni della band durante le prove dell’album nel 1978 e 1979.
Nel box Blu-ray 7CD/1 sono inclusi anche i nuovi mix Atmos e Stereo di Steven Wilson. L'album viene pubblicato anche in un cofanetto deluxe di 4LP, un'edizione deluxe di 2CD e due edizioni limitate in vinile, una colorata e una half speed.
Pubblicato originariamente nell'agosto del 1978, WHO ARE YOU ha segnato un capitolo significativo nella carriera degli Who e un trionfo commerciale, raggiungendo la posizione numero 2 negli Stati Uniti della Billboard 200, arrivando al doppio disco di platino e alla posizione n. 6 nella classifica di vendita in Inghilterra. È stato anche l'ultimo album della band con il leggendario batterista Keith Moon, morto tragicamente una settimana dopo la sua uscita.
L'album vede la band spingersi ancora una volta oltre i propri confini, con brani che subiscono l’influenza del punk britannico; lo fa sicuramente la title track, scritta dopo una serata con Steve Jones e Paul Cook dei Sex Pistols, così come "Music Must Change" e "Sister Disco". Pete Townshend realizzò alcuni dei suoi arrangiamenti più ambiziosi, aggiungendo sintetizzatori e arrangiamenti sinfonici alle potenti basi musicali degli Who.
La title track "WHO ARE YOU" anticipò l'album all'inizio di luglio del '78 diventando immediatamente una hit e rimanendo nella scaletta della band fino ad oggi anche grazie al suo utilizzo nella colonna sonora del telefilm CSI nei primi anni 2000: è uno dei brani più ascoltati in streaming della band.
Le sessioni iniziali dell'album si svolsero ai Ramport Studios, prodotti da Glyn Johns e Jon Astley. Tuttavia le registrazioni furono ricche tensioni creative ed ora The Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition racconta finalmente l'intera storia, presentando per la prima volta il mix originale dell'album realizzato da Glyn Johns, che all’epoca venne rifiutato. Questa edizione contiene una nuova versione rimasterizzata del mix pubblicato di Jon Astley e le session di prova ai Shepperton Studios, nonché una gran quantità di materiale inedito, tra cui demo, alternate takes e, nel caso della traccia "Sister Disco", un assolo di chitarra precedentemente "perduto", ritrovato nei nastri multitraccia di Steven Wilson.
Nel 1978, l'album fu visto come un ritorno alle origini per gli Who, e l'attesa per un tour di supporto all'album divenne alta; purtroppo l’improvvisa morte di Keith Moon mise fine ai piani. La band presentò il nuovo batterista Kenney Jones, ex membro dei Faces e degli Small Faces, nel maggio 1979, insieme al nuovo tastierista John' Rabbit' Bundrick. Uno dei tanti punti salienti dell'edizione super deluxe sono i nastri live remixati della tappa americana del tour del 1979, che catturano la nuova esplosiva formazione degli Who e tutti i brani dell'album che prendono vita sul palco con una rinnovata energia.
La band ha proseguito negli anni, con successo, il percorso intrapreso realizzando l'epico progetto cinematografico The Kids Are Alright, il film Quadrophenia e l'album Face Dances nel 1981.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU
SUPER DELUXE EDITION
7 AUDIO CDs
CD 1: The original album newly remastered by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge.
CD 2: The Who Are You album, first mixed by Glyn Johns, rejected by the band, plus new mixes created by Steven Wilson
CD3: Early run-throughs, sessions and out-takes plus several demos by John Entwistle.
CD4: Previously unreleased tracks from the 1977 Shepperton studios rehearsals, including Keith Moon singing I Saw Her Standing There and Barbara Ann Plus a very early live version of Who Are You from Toronto, 1976.
CD5: Includes six tracks from the live concert at Shepperton for the filming of The Kids Are Alright documentary. Plus rehearsals with new drummer Kenney Jones for The Who’s 1979 US tour.
CDs 6 & 7: Live recordings from the 1979 US tour, including tracks recorded at the Pontiac Silverdome, the Spectrum in Philadelphia and the Masonic Temple, Detroit, including a rare live version of John Entwistle’s Trick of the Light,
BLU-RAY: Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and PCM Stereo mixes created by Steven Wilson
SUPER DELUXE EDITION BOOK
A 100-page hardback book with extensive sleeve notes by Matt Kent covering the period before and after the album’s release, plus track-by-track details, and session notes, as well as sleeve notes by Steven Wilson on his remixes for Dolby Atmos. The book is lavishly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs, memorabilia, tape boxes and original print ads.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU DELUXE EDITION
4-LP SET
This limited-edition deluxe vinyl box set features a four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, including the original album newly remastered, plus live recordings from the 1979 US tour. The lift-top box includes 1 LP in a single sleeve and 3 LPs in a triple gatefold sleeve, together with a 28-page soft cover book.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU DELUXE EDITION
2-CD SET
The Deluxe 2CD set pairs the original album newly remastered with a CD of tracks taken from the studio sessions, demo recordings and live material.
The two discs are presented in an 8-panel digipak with a 16-page booklet.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU
1-LP LIMITED EDITION D2C ONLY VINYL
This limited edition 180-gram yellow-coloured vinyl 1-LP of Who Are You
Features the newly remastered album in a replica single sleeve.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU
1-LP LIMITED EDITION HALF SPEED MASTER VINYL
This limited edition 180-gram 1/2 speed master 1-LP of Who Are You
Features the newly remastered album in a replica single sleeve.
THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU
SUPER DELUXE EDITION
DISC ONE: Who Are You (Remastered)
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
DISC TWO: Glyn John Mix
New Song (Glyn Johns mix) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
905 (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Trick of The Light (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Trick of The Light (Single Version Edit - Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen ( Glyn Johns Alt mix Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Glyn Johns Single edit) Previously Unreleased
New Song (Pete Vocal - Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Lost Guitar Mix- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (No Orchestra- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen (Pete Guide Vocal- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Love Is Coming Down (No Orchestra- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Early Run Through -Pete Vox- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
DISC THREE: Sessions & Demos
Who Are You (Lost Verse Mix)
Guitar and Pen (Olympic 78 Mix)
Love Is Coming Down (Early Run Through)
Empty Glass (Session Out Take)
No Road Romance (Session Out Take)
Trick of the Light (Unused Olympic Edit) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Clean Radio Edit)
905 (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough - John Entwistle Demo Previously Unreleased
Back On the Road (John Entwistle Demo)
Wild Horses (John Entwistle Demo)
Trick of the Light (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Good Time Coming (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (John and Cyrano’s mix from The Kids Are Alright)
DISC FOUR: Shepperton 1977
Who Are You (Early version recorded live in Toronto, 1976) Previously Unreleased
The Kids Are Alright (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Run, Run, Run (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Spoonful / Smokestack Lightning (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
I Saw Her Standing There (Shepperton Studios Previously Unreleased
Instrumental Jam (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Knocking It into Shape 1 - Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Knocking It into Shape 2 - Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Baba O’Riley (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Shakin’ All Over (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Bell Boy - Shepperton Studios Previously Unreleased
Won't Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Barbara Ann (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
I Saw Her Standing There 2 (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Drowned (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
DISC FIVE: Shepperton 1978/79
Baba O’Riley (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
My Wife (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
My Generation (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Join Together (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Won't Get Fooled Again (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Won't Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
DISC SIX: Live USA 1979 – Part One
Substitute Previously Unreleased
I Can't Explain Previously Unreleased
Baba O'Riley Previously Unreleased
The Punk and the Godfather Previously Unreleased
Boris the Spider Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco Previously Unreleased
Behind Blue Eyes Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change Previously Unreleased
Drowned Previously Unreleased
Who Are You Previously Unreleased
5.15 Previously Unreleased
Pinball Wizard Previously Unreleased
See Me, Feel Me Previously Unreleased
DISC SEVEN: Live USA 1979 – Part Two
Long Live Rock Previously Unreleased
My Generation Previously Unreleased
I Can See for Miles Previously Unreleased
Trick Of the Light Previously Unreleased
Sparks Previously Unreleased
Won't Get Fooled Again Previously Unreleased)
Jam /Take A Fool Like You Previously Unreleased
How Can You Do It Alone Previously Unreleased
Magic Bus Previously Unreleased
Summertime Blues Previously Unreleased
Dancing in the Street / Dance It Away Previously Unreleased
The Real Me Previously Unreleased
BLU RAY: Steven Wilson Mix (Previously Unreleased)
ATMOS
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
5.1 MIX
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
STEREO
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
THE WHO
WHO ARE YOU
4LP DELUXE EDITION
SIDE ONE
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
SIDE TWO
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
SIDE THREE: LIVE USA 1979
Substitute Previously Unreleased
I Can't Explain Previously Unreleased
Baba O'Riley Previously Unreleased
The Punk and the Godfather Previously Unreleased
Boris the Spider Previously Unreleased
SIDE FOUR
Sister Disco Previously Unreleased
Behind Blue Eyes Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change Previously Unreleased
Drowned Previously Unreleased
SIDE FIVE
Who Are You Previously Unreleased
5.15 Previously Unreleased
Pinball Wizard Previously Unreleased
See Me, Feel Me Previously Unreleased
SIDE SIX
Long Live Rock Previously Unreleased
My Generation Previously Unreleased
I Can See for Miles Previously Unreleased
SIDE SEVEN
Dancing in the Street Previously Unreleased
Sparks Previously Unreleased
Won't Get Fooled Again Previously Unreleased
SIDE EIGHT
Magic Bus Previously Unreleased
Summertime Blues Previously Unreleased
How Can You Do It Alone Previously Unreleased
THE WHO
WHO ARE YOU
2CD DELUXE EDITION
CD1 Who Are You (Remastered)
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You
CD2 Sessions & Demos
Who Are You (Glyn Johns Mix) (Previously Unreleased
New Song (Pete’s Guide Vocal) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (Without Orchestra) Previously Unreleased
Empty Glass (Session Outtake)
Love Is Coming Down (Early Run Through
Trick Of the Light (Unused Olympic Edit) Previously Unreleased
Guitar And Pen (Pete’s Guide Vocal) Previously Unreleased
905 (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Good Time Coming (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979) (Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979) Previously Unreleased
