The Who By Numbers by the Who
Released: 1975 (Polydor Records)
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The Who By Numbers
I have to start this with a confession. I really like the Who, so I’m certainly biased from the start. However, I have always made it a point to not go out and listen to everything ever made by a band all at once… that way down the road, when the stars are right, you can still go back and hear something great for the first time. I came across the entire Who collection on vinyl at a garage sale for $1.00 a piece (mint with all the books and everything!). I couldn’t say no… and while I probably know every note and word to every Who classic (which still get played every single day on every single classic rock station in the world) – I was eager to explore some of the lesser known tracks and LP’s.
Several of the tracks on ‘The Who By Numbers’ were new to me, but none of them were unfamiliar. In a strange way, you know instinctively how Keith’s drums and John’s bass should interact…the scope of Roger’s vocals…the strength and subtlety of Pete’s guitar should all sound. I was most surprised at how consistent all the tracks were with the body of work that I already knew. (and for a band like the Who, that is a real compliment!) Here’s a good example – “Dreaming From The Waist”
The themes across the LP range from the dark to the whimsical and often has the feeling, at least, of being very personal, especially lyrically. The LP went top 10 in both the US and UK, so it’s not like it was an obscure release – but 30+ years out, it doesn’t seem to enjoy the ongoing popularity of other Who releases. Precisely for that reason, if you aren’t familiar or haven’t heard it in awhile, it is absolutely worth a listen. Here’s Pete doing a great solo version of “Blue Red and Gray.”
The big “single” from the release was ‘Squeeze Box’ and while the Who version is great…,
I wanted to share this version by Tenacious D.
It’s nice to hear a collection of songs rather than an opus – it feels more ‘in the moment’ somehow. It’s hard to believe I’d say it, but I only modestly missed the synths…
I’ll leave you with my favorite “However Much I Booze” and a line that just might be the overall point of the record…
“There Ain’t No Way Out.”
