POOR TOMMY... Reaction to The Who - Tommy (Part 2)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
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![The Who - Young Man Blues [Live] - Isle of Wight Festival - August 29, 1970](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4EJdcFbTJUo/mqdefault.jpg)
Keith starts in the first minute, and doesn't stop til the end..
Obviously one of the greatest drummers ever.......which is always a matter of opinion! However, growing up in the 60’s gave most of us know doubt!
Which also pretty well sums up Moon's entire approach to life.
Reminds me of the old joke. They ask Keith which drum he's going to use & he answers "yes"!
Moon the Loon. The greatest Rock and Roll drummer of all time imho
I believe you should listen and react with as little "pre-knowledge" as possible. After all, when the album was released, we had nothing but a few liner notes to go on. No movie, no decades of band interviews, no informed opinions till MUCH later. You keep doing what you're doing!
Exactly right.
We it was a rock opera but didn't know what that was......lol
@timothyrogstad5577 did you get lyrics with these albums like on Sgt peppers? Or did you have lyric books back then? I couldn't imagine only having my ears to understand this 70-minute story😂
There was so much going on in the world when this rock opera was written. The Vietnam war protests, the start of the counter-culture ("Don't trust anyone over 30!"), the use of psychedelics, the questioning of religion. Attitudes were also changing about how we saw our fellow human beings, especially those with disabilities who often had been treated as somehow lesser human beings. The genius of Tommy, was that it addressed so many of these issues in a beautifully creative way.
Wait till Tommy spends time with uncle Ernie, played in the movie by the drummer Keith moon. By the way the acid queen is played by Tina Turner.
Relax...It's not that complicated. You're so above average in smarts, just gloss over those folks who tell you to see the movie first. It was unavailable in '69 to me and everyone else in the world and we had no trouble getting the gist of the story. You're very intuitive at any rate. Stay safe...be well...
Exactly! I didn't catch the film for about a 1/2 a decade after the album. And was too young to really appreciate it from an art perspective. Saw it again years later and enjoyed it more
@@daveking9393 I'm in the minority judging by the comments, but I didn't really care for the movie. Ann Margret covered in beans was the highlight for me. I read somewhere that she was cut very badly filming that scene.
@@georgegwoolston1730 I, too, thought the movie sucked. I may be the only person who hated Elton's "Pinball Wizard". Tina Turner was OK.
@@eddiewillers1442 Yeah...I think "Tommy" the movie is almost, not quite, as bad as that horrible movie "Sargent Peppers" with the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton. Just gawd awful. lol
@George G Woolston You're 100% right no need to see the film to get the gist of Tommy. Besides Daniel has all of us to give him feed back, our interpretations and our knowledge about the song and the times.
from an article online :
Like many artists of the era, Townshend studied meditation and Eastern philosophy, specifically the teachings of Meher Baba, an Indian mystic who'd taken a 40-year vow of silence to better hear the word of God. The guru's ideas about heightened awareness through sensory deprivation intrigued Townshend. He was especially interested in the concept of experiencing songs through vibrations and physically feeling the music. Townshend used his piece about a deaf, dumb and blind boy as a way to explore the tenets of Baba's philosophy.
Once Townshend had the story of his handicapped boy who found solace in the vibrations of music, he wrestled with what to name him. Ultimately, he settled on Tommy, a nickname for a British soldier during WWI. After a fight, battlefields could be littered with "Tommys", shell-shocked and devoid of their senses. Townshend also liked that at the center of the word was the mystical syllable "om."
Great explanation - thank you!
I think that your idea of listening first and then seeing the movie is best. And Tina Turner as the Acid Queen is phenomenal!
The Tommy suite from Woodstock is unreal. Pure energy.
I know most people like Quadrophenia a bit better than Tommy , but I just love this so much
Great reaction btw
I really like Quadrophenia, but, I adore Tommy.
I think you are quite wrong. I never even bought "Quadrophenia". Been there, done that was my take. TOMMY, however......
I also think Quadrophenia is better, but that's no dis to Tommy. But I would say the Quadrophenia film is much better than the Tommy film.
Quadrophenia the movie was better than I anticipated. Watch for Sting in the movie, too.
cannot imagine how many times we tried to figure this music out in a basement with no google,,lololol
Right? We relied on liner notes and whoever had the latest copy of Rolling Stone magazine.
That was part of the fun. You just listened to it, stared at the cover, and soaked it in.
After 5 decades I finally learn that Captain Walker came back. Now everything makes sense.
In 1989, at The Player's Guild of Dearborn, in Dearborn, MI, my big brother David played Tommy for 4 weeks (or 8, I can't remember now, it's been 30 years, lol) in the first staged production of Tommy as a musical, rather then the sort of odd concert/story/LSD dream that the album and movie portrayed. The Who had given easy, really almost disinterested permission for the experimental adaption to be written, staged, and performed on a limited basis, likely since it had been 20 years since the album's release at that point. Anyhoo, it ended up being so successful and well done, even gaining some national attention, that The Who took what was written, tweaked it a bit more, and sent it to Broadway in 1992, where it ran for around 4 years. It's astonishing how much of the production notes from that small, local adaptation eventually made it into the Broadway version. :)
Cool story.
Interesting - thank you!
This boy was also 17 when I first heard -Tommy: The Rock Opera- in 1969. Underture sounds better than ever. Keith Moon is maniacal. I referred to this as - Tommy: The Drum Fill.
I have to agree. On all points. Good to hear the whole thing played again and watching someone experience it for the first time. Tommy: The Drum Fill. 😂. Love it.
You both beat me in age by a year, 1979 for me at 18.
The musical capture of a tortured child. See me, feel me, touch me, heal me. How can you describe a suffering child better.
So many react to Pinball Wizard and they are like "I don't get it". Of course not. As you move along with this, you'll realize it's a great song.
Totally agree. And they don't do any research just say tell me in the comments... So sad... I still remember even my mother picked up listening to the me listen to the song and asked "I don't understand" "DDB playing pinball"... and I had to explain it to her...
In the movie Almost Famous legend has it that lighting a candle and playing this album will reveal your future. For Cameron Crowe it seems to have done.
We need more people like Dicon to ensure that younger generations know what pure rock music sounds like. The Who (when they started) was widely praised for the amount and depth of sound that came from a band relying on 3 instruments: lead guitar, bass, drums.
The riff you speak of in the underture is the same an Sparks. So while he's on his "trip" he continues to be in touch with God, or God guiding him etc... The Sparks theme returns many times. So if Tommy can only feel in music, and his thoughts transcribe to music, that's his Trip(underture) and his relationship with God. And God is there for him even if he is Deaf, Dumb and Blind. His mind is awakening.
That’s it. !
When Underture started there were these peaceful chords playing . Its amazing to see your reaction (eyes wide, facial expression changes, then you smirk) when dissident chords are thrown in. All of a sudden there's strife. Musical brilliance.
"Why today's music sucks, part 32". People who love music (as opposed to people who like the latest pop song.."it has a good beat and is easy to dance too") know it is the 'unexpected' that solidifies greatness. The flats vs. sharps, the chords that don't go where your brain predicts and, indeed, the dissonance. It sets up tension, makes you ache for resolution (which may, or may not come). Pop music today is computer driven with auto tune etc. and so they make "perfect" songs with none of the things that makes music great.
Further to what I said earlier in Tommy`s world he interprets everything through vibrations and the recurring themes throughout the album is where he gets a familiarity from which he gets a little solace and comfort despite the terrible things that happen to him.
Being taught that people who had never heard of Christ would burn in hell for eternity caused me to leave the church at about your age. That was given as the reason there was a duty to proselytize, and the justification for missionary work.
True. The innocent need no salvation, and Tommy is a true innocent.
Thanks again for going through "Tommy" in full. A lot of folks my age played it side after side too, sitting on the floor and following along.
As someone noted below, Underture was not usually played live, which is true of several songs. There is an entire Wiki entry about which songs were played on which tours. Some would be on one and then not the next. Because it's the only live version of Tommy I've ever heard, I just look to Live at Leeds (Deluxe) to see what a typical night's performance of Tommy sounded like.
Check out London Coliseum ‘69- it’s as close to Live at Leeds on video as we’ll ever get, and it has the whole rock opera right in the middle, complete with hilarious intro banter from Pete and Keith. Astounding sound quality!
God, I'd almost forgotten how awesome this masterpiece is. Great to see it again "for the first time" through the eyes of a young guy listening to it for his first time.
In 1975 my friend and I took a bus to a theatre about 10 miles away to see the movie, the whole story became much more clear then. Tommy is played by Roger Daltrey.
I think I speak for many here when I say we are waiting for Pinball Wizard, where the journey of Tommy's life takes a turn. That's the part you wouldn't understand without this backstory.
You get it Grasshopper...............You are growing.
I doubt Daniel understands the grasshopper reference HOWEVER what a great recommendation! I bet he would like the classic TV series Kungfu... thanks for the chuckle!
I saw this on Broadway Christmas night 1993. Great show! By the way, there are TH-cam videos of The Who at Woodstock in 1969 performing different songs from Tommy. High energy!
Though I will be in the minority..FORGET the movie. The album is art. The movie....is a movie.
Same problem with ‘The Wall’
@@scifimonkey3 Good point.
I don't agree ! The album is just a good draft. In the movie, the songs are more stuffed with some orchestrations in "Quadrophenia"-like. Townshend worked 2 years on the movie. He shouldn't do it if he though it's not "art" !
@@scifimonkey3 No, it's the same problem with ‘The Wall’. In the movie "The wall", the soundtrack is exactly the same than the album. In the movie "Tommy", there's new orchestrations, new lyrics (the start is in WW2, not WW1) and even some new songs (Champagne)...
@@Daniel24724 Pete's not going to turn down money. He already made the art.
"Tommy, can you hear me?" "Can you hear me, Major Tom?"
Both from 1969, Pete Townsend and David Bowie. The muse was working overtime that year. Songs so different, and yet . . .
Thank you, Daniel for letting us see your joy and intelligence in listening to "our" music. It takes us back to our youth but I’ve also learned more about the music itself through you.
Enjoying your Tommy experience. Silly sidebar, during the 1988 winter Olympics NBC used a segment of the" Underture" as the soundtrack of a practice bobsled run with an onboard camera view. Can't wait for Quadrophenia!! Keep up the good work.
Underture does get a bit repetitive, also, interesting fact,Sparks/Underture instrumentals made their first appearance on a song called Rael which is on The Who's third album 'The Who Sell Out'.
Their finest hour.
Underture/Sparks live at Woodstock never gets repetitive.
If you haven't seen it, from a musical history perspective, you should check out the movie they made of the Woodstock festival. Although it doesn't include every performance, it was one of The Who's most famous performances, plus everybody else including Hendrix. It also gives a good impression of the youth culture and their attitude to the Vietnam war.
The Who rated Woodstock as the worst concert they ever played.
@@rhiahlMT I think it's great. They had to play at around 4am, they finished as the sun was coming up. They also had been unwittingly dosed with acid back stage and were fighting through that the whole show. Not ideal at all. From the outside, it's an epic performance.
Wow I've been listening to this album for 25 years and never noticed that water-cymbal thing in Cousin Kevin haha....great ears Dicon!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy . . . Part deux.
I'm soooo excited. This is epic Music Reaction!
🎶🎹🎧🎺🎸🥁🎻
You don't really need to see the movie. It was crap. To give you a for instance, Jack Nicholson has a cameo as the Doctor. With a singing part. Watch at your own risk but just don't expect much. The notes on the side should be good enough. As genius as Tommy is, as a narrative, it's not very consistent.
I have to agree with this. The movie is a lark, skim though it if you want, but it's mostly cringe and unwatchable. The Who - brilliant musicians. They aren't actors or playwrights.
@@emanonfox1709 People are going to hate me for this, and I am a major Beatles fan - grew up with them. But Tommy is streets ahead of anything the Beatles ever did. They didn't even manage a concept album. Linking an intro to a song and reprising the intro near the end is not a concept.
EXCEPT… Tina Turner IS the Acid Queen and she is worth the price of admission…
I agree seeing the movie would provide the visual context for the music. Seeing Elton perform “Pinball Wizard” is worth the trip. I first saw this at the U.A. Airforce Academy with a Broadway touring company. It was my first experience with this form of rock music. I went out and bought the CD. It is a sad and beautiful story and the music is amazing. Later I found that the producer of the CSI tv series was a fan of The Who and used their music as the theme song. I continue to be impressed with your analysis. Rock on.
Back when an album used to come out on vinyl...any album,,,we would listen to it, beginning to end.. reading the lyrics off of the album sleeves or inserts, the liner notes as they were called...and you my friend are bringing it back around to modern times..... seems nowadays for the artists... it is about selling a single off iTunes... full album structure is a thing of the past for the most part, for the listener...
So glad you are appreciating the intricacies
So glad you are enjoying this. Takes me right back to juniorr high chorus, not the kind you audition for, the kind you land in when you don't play a band instrument. We sang "Christmas" and the whole see me/hear me thing, and Pinball Wizard, and bits of a few others (but nothing bad) for the annual *Christmas concert*. 1971 maybe? Looking back, the choir director must've been laughing his butt off, but we loved it. Needless to say, pretty much all 40+ 7th graders asked for the Tommy album for Christmas that year. Lots of us received it! Our parents had no idea.
You are wise beyond your years. Excellent review of side 2 Daniel. 👍
They performed a great medley of Tommy at Woodstock.
It's a great watch ( and listen).
The film was spectacular!
Oscar nominated.
The band is in it. Roger Daltrey plays Tommy.
Great cast.
Great guest artists.( Elron John, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner)
Ken Russell directed, so it a feast on the eyes.
Please see it.
This Underature with Sparks is what I was getting at when I said that Tommy would set you up when you get to Live at Leeds. It’s amplified, electrified and just kickass rock and roll.
Excellent reaction to a fantastic opus! You're nearing the emotional nadir that hits at Fiddle About. After that, things improve for our protagonist and the music just soars. Eagerly awaiting side 3.
I have to say that I was never a fan of this piece of work personally and it's 50 years since I first/last listened to it, so it was interesting to hear it again after all these years with a new perspective from Daniel - good review as always.
"Christmas" certainly is one of my faves on this album.
It's exciting and simultaneously sad...
"Cousin Kevin" is absolutely nasty!
Tina Turner as the "Acid Queen" pushes the song to totally different levels.
Regarding the acoustic guitar you mentioned and live performance: You probably have heard this before by gobsmacked fans a thousand times...well, The Who were (in)-famous for super aggressive live performances and sort of "invented" smashing up guitars and all other gear on stage as part of the show. Maybe that's why the "Tommy" album indeed is unusually 'tamed tension' that would then explode in the more electric versions of the songs.
Enougn bla bla from me - Yeah, thanks, it's great listening to all of this after quite some time!
Thanks for doing Tommy. I'd forgotten how amazing Underture was! Quadrophenia is even better IMHO.
Tommy was so brilliant that The Who covered it themselves twice.
Do things your way and you will enjoy your journey much more!👍🏻☮️✌🏻🎹🎼🎤
I am just about to go to bed and I see you have Tommy part 2 up. I don't wanna go to bed now.
It's been fun re-exploring this classic gem with you. Looking forward to more. Good job Daniel. Your style of reacting and investigating gives us so much more to think about, than just listening to the album again.
My favorite band is the Who so glad you are doing Tommy go to the mirror is my favorite song. On the album
You don’t really don’t need any more than the album. It’s actually not an airtight plot. The instrumental after acid Queen was a bit long and maybe that’s to convey the long ordeal Tommy went through. Great reaction.
@@kjb120165 I think the music being repetitive and lengthy is probably because of limits and constraints of the artists and the overall project, more than trying to express a loopy trip but idk.
Tommy was huge when it came out. You would hear the 'hits" on top-40 radio, and the rest on underground radio. You'd hear it at party's, in friends basements, seemed like anyone with a turntable had this album. But after hearing this I don't know how many times, I never knew or considered that the song Underture was Tommy's drug experience. And you called it on one listen. Good job, dude! I learned something tonight.
That added benefit of learning something along with the reactions is a part of what makes this channel so special. Learning happens here with most tracks reviewed not just once in a while... hope you subscribe. All the best.
When asked to describe his drumming style, Keith once answered “I just try to hit all the drums at exactly the same time!” 🤣
You must watch the film The Who Live at the Isle of Wight. They perform songs from Tommy and Roger's voice is amazing. His voice is much more prominent in the live performances of Tommy. The climax, "See Me, Feel me / listening to You" is phenomenal live, with Roger's voice just tearing it up. Makes the studio version seem so tame.
Good for you! Epic stuff here. An incredible era.
Yes I remember..
Loved watching your reaction and analysis on this masterpiece! I'm sure you would be equally impressed with Quadrophenia.
Underture gives me full body chills every time from start to finish. Incredible tension! And yes, the live performances of Amazing Journey/Sparks (the same jam as Underture) from ‘68-‘70 are absolutely incredible. The sound, energy, and stage presence are just unreal. The most explosive live rock performances ever, IMO. Check out London Coliseum ‘69 and/or Woodstock if you don’t believe me, for starters. There are also Fillmore audios from the same period that are equally ridiculous, but without the visuals of The Who’s physical stage presence, moves and antics it’s only half the game.
Well done, Daniel. That is a somewhat painful section of album but important to the story of Tommy. I also feel the Underture is a little longer than it needs to be. I love the music but it is repetitive. I can't wait for part 3 and 4. Thank you for doing this.
Dude having so much fun love to see you enjoying and experiencing for the first time makes it all that much better what a young man you are love you
Listening to this again after many years and loving it all over again. Thanks for doing it Daniel.
Keith Moon stands out head and shoulders however. Whether it’s my own changing tastes or musical ear I don’t know, but whilst I remember all of the songs, I had forgotten how astonishing the drumming on this album was. It really shows off Keith’s skills.
The Who don't get enough recognition for their harmonies, which could be downright angelic when the mood struck them. Cousin Kevin is also a great example of John Entwhistle's dark yet strangely melodic songwriting
Can't wait for you to hear side three and "Pinball Wizard", the climax of this rock opera!
Haven't heard this in a long time. Thanks again, DS9, for being adventurous and willing to explore work like this. (Being out in Hawaii, I'm always late to the party on these videos, btw.)
Daniel, I was only a year or two older than you are now when I heard this for the first time, and I have to say I really appreciate how much you are enjoying and understanding this rock masterpiece. I know the internet helps some, but I think even without that aide you are becoming a great reactor to music and I really appreciate being taken along for the ride. Thank you for reacting to Tommy the way it is supposed to be heard, and I have to tell you I am really looking forward to your reaction to sides three and four!!
Something I didn't realize for years of listening to the album and being a huge Who fan is what was being sung in the background on the song Christmas. Later, I read it Peter Barnes book on The Who that it was Pete and John singing "gobble, gobble, gobble", mimicking a turkey because it's Christmas. I thought that was so cool and always think of it when I hear this song now.
Cheers!!..... BTW-you are doing a great job with this classic masterpiece. I am thoroughly enjoying.
I did not read the notes until I had listened to it completely, I think the music creates enough pictures without them.
"This album conveys some pretty dark themes." OH MAN DOES IT EVER. I think "Cousin Kevin" was one of the parts Pete had to hand off to John to get written.
I went to see this at the theater back then - I was a kid tho!!!
Definitely watch The Who perform Tommy live. It doesn't get more classic rock than that.
Tis' an amazing journey!
Having so much fun watching these Tommy videos. Great stuff Daniel.
Some people seem to consider the sparse production inferior to the more bombastic arrangements and performances of Quadrophenia. But I think Tommy sounds just fine. If it perhaps feels slightly claustrophobic or constrained, that may be appropriate given the concept.
Factoid: The Sparks/Underture theme was originally the last minute and a half (or so) of the very end of their previous album, The Who Sell Out. The last song on the album (Rael) is loosely about a self proclaimed prophet. While the song sounds NOTHING like anything on Tommy, at the very end after the song ends, the "Sparks/Underture" theme pops up for a minute or two.
Great album by a great band!!! Yeah Dethstrok9. When you get a chance, check out the movie Tommy. The story varies a little from the album but it's a great rock movie classic. Rock on! 👍
Thanks Daniel
The length of Underture was just to emphasize the amount of drugs ingested making for a long acid trip.
I believe a lot of folks back then simply didn't get it about drugs, you just can't turn them off if the experience is what one had hoped for. (Hence why they should be left alone) Once ingested one is along for the ride or trip... depending on the drug that could be for many many hours...
@@daveking9393 Exactly, if the track had been condensed into 4mins it would have seemed like no big deal and not much of a trip to the listener.
MOON'S JUST RIPPING AND POUNDING AWAYYYYYY DANIEL! , IT'S AWESOME! :) R.I.P. TO KEITH :(
Kieth moon was the architype crazy rock drummer
I did warn you the story is a dark! Good analysis again . So good to listen to this again . It us a Masterpiece ! Looking forward to Side 3! 👍
Please check out The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again" the Shepperton Studios version. The great Keith Moons (drummer) final performance with the band.
Watching you right now listening to Underture, with your head bopping around reminded me of a pinball bouncing off the bumpers...I wonder if that's what Pete intended.
Looking forward to this. Thank you
Tina Turner played the acid queen in the film.
I’ve only ever heard pieces and seen the movie. Experiencing the album as it was intended has been intense. I can feel some bits of songs coming. Hinted at in the instrumental.
By 1969, LSD (acid) had become the popular drug of the counter-culture. LSD sends the user on a psychedelic "trip' with hallucinations. The term trippy therefore refers to something similar to a acid trip.
Overtures and Undertures include the themes heard throughout the opera.
In regard to your noticing that the music is hopeful, even though the story is dark; most rock and roll in the 60's made the listener feel good. It wasn't until the 70's that rock and roll became less happy. Great, but less happy.
I too of ten thought that Underture was longer than it needed to be. And for the same reasons you mentioned in video. My guess is that they needed to pad the album out or else one side would be too short.
In the movie, this song is much shorter. They also change the sequence of some songs and add some new ones to improve the continuity.
When you are listening to the drumming in underture you looked a little like Keith Moon. LOL!
You were right about the cymbals in "Cousin Kevin". I'd never heard that before.
I love side one so much I went back and listened to your whole show on that a second time. Then I went and listened to the whole rest of the album so I'm excited for it side two
You can hear the basic melody of "See Me Feel Me" (which recurs more than once throughout the piece) in the Overture. As I said, the Overture will make more sense the deeper you get into the work.
Now you’re ready to listen to Live at Leeds- their live versions are way exciting
I have still never seen the movie after playing the record to death in the 70's and I've survived just fine.
Pete had some really bad experiences with LSD, which left him disillusioned with it as a path to enlightenment.
@dicon just watched a bit of Tommy,, Listening to You,,,we get opinions,,,
By the time we got to the movie theater, we knew the whole story.. as you will, a watch party would be decent as h ll!!
"Overture" and "Underture" are very similar to a musical break in the song "Rael", from The Who's previous studio album, "Sellout" (1967).
You mentioned that you heard The Who's live version of the album is heavier. Around that time, The Who - on-stage - were arguably the heaviest act going around. Every bit as heavy as Zeppelin, Purple or Sabbath, but with double (at least) the intensity. Having the most unique rhythm section in rock history played a big part in this. And at that time, The Who live were electric guitar (Townshend), bass (Entwistle), drums (Moon) and vocals (Daltrey, with backing from Townshend and Entwistle). That's it. They sounded like there were two of every instrument on stage.
Anyway, back to TOMMY...
The Who have always had an amazing way of writing pleasant sounding songs with very dark lyrics. Cousin Kevin sounds beautiful at first but when you go back you notice the dissonance and minor chords creeping in.
Another comment - there is so much going on with the vocals and guitar work and horns and such it is easy at first listen to miss the stunning percussion with by Moon and his insane fills that create so much to the energy and emotion of the work.
Edit - just after i wrote that last part you commented on how great the percussion had been on the album!
The Who's songs are driven by rhythm guitar. The drums add energy and drama.