The Who: Live At Leeds

Today I am taking a break from my Yesathon (which at the rate i'm going will never end) to review Live At Leeds. Why? Because it happened 40 years ago today and it's also the greatest live rock album of all time.

I have the deluxe edition which contains the entire concert so that's the one I'll be reviewing. I was considering reviewing the original LP from 1970 since that has less songs but that would just make me a lazy asshole, which I am not (most of the time)

All the songs here have much more energy than on their studio counterparts. A prime example of this is "Heaven and Hell", one of the few John Entwistle songs here. The studio version is a good song, but it here it is a great hard rocker and I consider it to be his best song. Also, I've always particularly loved the version of "Substitute" found here.

There are also a good number of cover songs here ("Fortune Teller", "Young Man Blues", "Summertime Blues", and "Shakin' All Over"). I haven't heard any of the originals but I can't see how they could ever live up to the versions found here. my favorite is "Young Man Blues". It features some of the absolute best performing by all four members of the band. Seriously, if you don't like it there's somthing wrong with you. I try not to make generalizations like that but this is an exception.

Another thing worth pointing out is there performance of "A Quick One (While He's Away)". The version here is far superior to it's studio counterpart. It's a great energetic performance but it leads to one of my few gripes with the album, the onstage dialogue. Before they play the song, Pete talks about the song for 5 minutes. While it's amusing the first few times you'll find yourself skipping over the explanation of the song. Still, the actual performance is great.

"My Generation" becomes a 15-minute jam here. It begins with a feirce version of the well known classic, then it goes into "See Me, Feel Me/Listening To You" followed by an improvisational jam featuring parts of "Naked Eye", "Sparks", and what seems to be an early version of "The Seeker". As far as, improvisational jams go, this is one of the best, and it is one of the true highlights of the concert.

"Magic Bus" is greatly improved upon here. Gone is the silly little single and in comes a 9 minute jam. the song starts out similar to the studio version but continues building up with the instrumental parts getting progressively heavier. All four members get to show off here, and it is another one of the many highlights.

Finally I want to talk about the performance of Tommy. This version is radically different than the album version. the acoustic guitar and orchestration are gone and replaced by Pete's electric guitar. Overall this performance rocks way harder and is in my mind the definitive version of Tommy. I'm not going to go to in-depth but I will say my favorite songs from the performance are "Overture" and "See Me, Feel Me/ Listening To You".

Overall, this album is simply great. It is the best live album ever, if not the best album of all time. You need this album. Seriously, if you only buy one album by The Who, buy this one. in fact, I'm not even going to do my usual best song/worst song thing because it's all so great. so stop reading this blog and go give Pete Townshend your money!

Yesathon part 1: Yes

I have decided to embark upon a Yesathon. why? because i freaking love Yes! So what exactly does a Yesathon mean? it means i'm going to review every Yes album ever. So to begin this I will be reviewing their first album, Yes (not to be confused with The Yes Album)

One thing i feel that it is important to point out is that the lineup is not the classic Yes lineup. Instead of Steve Howe on guitar this album features Peter Banks and instead of Rick Wakemen we have Tony Kaye.

My favorite song on the album is the opening track, "Beyond And Before". the song grabs your attention with it's opening riff and keeps it for the rest of the song. It is a fantastic opening track and the best song on the album, but that doesn't mean the rest of the album is any worse. In fact, for the most part, it's just as good.

This album features something that is very rare for Yes, love songs. The songs in question are "Yesterday And Today" and "Sweetness". So how are they? They're actually pretty good. Out of the two, i have to say I like "Sweetness" more, but they are both pretty good. In fact, they could almost be called McCartney-esque.

Speaking of McCartney, Yes actually does a Beatles cover, "Every Little Thing" to be exact. They take the original song and change it to the point where it is unrecognizable in some parts, specifically the extended prog-rock intro, which incorporates part of another Beatles song. Which one? you'll have to listen to it to find out (if you can't figure it out you are not a real rock fan). I have to say i like Yes' version of the song more than the original

There is another cover song here, "I See You" by The Byrds. This song is the most jazzy song Yes has ever done. it's very different than anything else the band has ever done but I like it. unfortunately I can't offer any comparison to the original, as I have never heard it.
(edit: i heard the original, i like the Yes version more)

The other songs are all very good as well. "Looking Around" is very heavy on the keyboard and bass and an overall good song. "Harold Land" is the most fantasy filled track here, hinting at what would come in the future. finally we come to the track, "Survial". This is a great song. I especially love the intro bit. Actually, listening to the album again, I have to say I like it as much as "Beyond And Before".

This is very different from any other Yes album, but don't let that drive you away. If you are willing to open your mind to it, you will find a very enjoyable album. It's one of my favorites by the band, and I find it much more accessible than the side-long epics of their later albums (I do love their side-long epics, though. Especially "Close To The Edge" and "The Gates Of Delirium", but those will be discussed in later reviews). Still it is not their strongest work, that's still a few years away.

Best song: "Beyond And Before" and "Survival"
Worst Song: There is none!!!

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

I figured that for my second review i would do Sgt. Peppers. Why? because it was recorded at the same time in the same studio as Piper. In fact, Pink Floyd got to watch The Beatles record "Lovely Rita". so what do i think of Pepper's? I think it's overrated. that's not to say that it's not revolutionary or that i don't like it, because it is revolutionary and I do enjoy it. I simply feel that The Beatles have done much better work than it. In my mind "most revolutionary" does not equal "best" (well, with Piper it does)

My main fault with the album is John's songwriting. Normally I tend to like John's songs the most but on Pepper's i feel his song writing here is weak for him. "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" has to be one of the most overrated Beatles songs ever. When i listen to it it just makes me wish i was listening to "I Am The Walrus" instead. "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" and "Good Morning, Good Morning" aren't really worth mentioning in my opinion other than the awesome guitar solo on "Good Morning, Good Morning". In fact i think the majority of John's psychedelic songs on Magical Mystery Tour are better than the ones here. That's right! I praised Magical Mystery Tour while critizing Pepper's! Sue me! But in all seriousness i'll take "I Am The Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" over the songs i just mentioned here anyday.

Paul's songwriting here is stronger than John's in my opinion (shocking, right?). the opening track (and by extention it's reprise) is a good rock number, i just wish the guitar was stronger. "Fixing A Hole"is good but not great. "Lovely Rita is another good song". "Getting Better" and "She's Leaving Home" are personal favorites of mine, especially "She's Leaving Home" which is simply beautiful. despite all this Paul still manages to write the worst song here. What is the worst song here? Why it's "When I'm Sixty-Four", of course! granted it's not as bad as "Od-La-Di, Od-La-DA" or "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", but it's still my least favorite here.

George's sole song here, "Within You, Without You" is another of my favorites off the album. some people don't like his sitar music but i do. then there's the Ringo song "With A Little Help From My Friends" (he didn't actually write it but he sings it so i consider it his). this song is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know I should hate it since it's Ringo, but i enjoy it.

There is one more song i haven't mentioned yet, "A Day In The Life". this one starts out as a John song, then goes to a Paul song, and then goes back to the John song (think "Bohemian Rhapsody"). this is the definate best song on the album. it is simply a masterpiece that everyone must hear at least once in their life.

so while Pepper's is a good album, it is not The Beatles best (that honor goes to Abbey Road). still it is essential and one you must hear, so go downloa... I mean legally purchase it today

Best Song: A Day In The Life
Worst Song: When I'm Sixty-Four