"Who's Next", Deepest Dive

Update! 10/8/2023
My inbox was filled with "first press" info. That's one of the great things about doing these videos. You learn stuff. So, I learn that supposedly the "first pressing" I have with date of 8-13-71 is an "east coast" pressing and doesn't sound nearly as good as one with a "W1" in the lead out groove and no date. So I search my storage space and I have one. I play it. It is much better sounding but hardly the mythical 'greatest' claimed by advocates who never divulge on what they are listening. It's kind of soft and "tubey" but way better than the one I reference in the video. And I note that the handwritten date on the record appears identical to the earlier date listed on the master tape box (7-10-71) so I'd say both were mastered at The Mastering Lab, but one not so well done. I also was sent to a Steve Hoffman Forum thread where someone claims side one of the original Track that I reference in this video was cut by Doug Sax at TML because of handwritten numerals and yes, I agree with him there, but the Track sounds far superior to the Decca "W1" probably in part due to plating and pressing differences. Side two of that Track has "Bilbo". People speculate why only one side was cut at TML but sometimes a lacquer sent overseas gets ruined in plating so rather than a recut, they might have shipped over a tape copy, Who knows? Good album title!
"Who's Next" remains one of greatest records released during the "rock era" even though it was really an orphan cast-off of Pete Townshend's ambitious, Lifehouse project. The record was recorded in various studios in the U.K. and The United States, yet despite that, it holds together well as a cohesive set of tunes that express the times in which they were written and produced, yet resonate strongly today-especially songs like "Baba O'Reilly", "Song is Over" and "Won't Get Fooled Again" but really there's not a weak tune in the set.
This video does not discuss the Lifehouse project or lecture on its history. Instead, it compares multiple versions of "Who's Next": original American Decca, original U.K. Track, 1995 MCA "Heavy Vinyl" edition cut by Kevin Gray from original tape in which I was involved-LP and lacquers-2003 digitally sourced triple LP featuring outtakes and extras and live Old Vic performance, Classic Records 2005 reissue cut by Chris Bellman from original tape and the new Jon Astley mastered, Plangent processed file cut 1/2 speed at Abbey road by Miles Showell. The only version accidentally omitted that I own was a Japanese pressing (MPF 1106) that i forgot I had!
I do not have multiple copies from other countries, or the 1/2 speed mastered MCA version. Most 1/2 speed mastered attempts by major labels tended to present 1/2 the music.
I came down with Covid during my visit to The Netherlands for the Making Vinyl and Vinyl Alliance symposiums and was way "under the weather" when this was recorded but I really wanted to get this posted before it was old news. "Covid fog" had me referring to Baba Meher, but at least I picked up on it while editing! Sorry, I am.
If you make it through the entire video there's a great "Easter Egg" reward at the end. And please:
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