The Who: UK Singles (my choices)

[JWB]

Since Andreas asked for this, here it is: the sources I chose for my UK Who singles set. Most of them were easy to choose, but a few of them were very close (the later singles from The Who Collection, for example.)

DISC ONE
1. I'm The Face CD single
2. Zoot Suit CD single
3. I Can't Explain MBBB
4. Bald Headed Woman Two's Missing
5. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere UK WBWB
6. Daddy Rolling Stone UK single (vinyl)
7. My Generation MBBB
8. Shout And Shimmy Who's Missing
9. A Legal Matter MBBB
10. Instant Party (Circles) Who Sings My Generation
11. The Kids Are Alright UK WBWB
12. The Ox Dr. Ebbetts My Generation
13. La-La-La Lies Dr. Ebbetts My Generation
14. The Good's Gone Dr. Ebbetts My Generation
15. Substitute US WBWB
16. Circles Rarities
17. I'm A Boy Singles
18. In The City Rarities
19. Happy Jack US WBWB
20. I've Been Away UK single (vinyl)
21. Pictures Of Lily US WBWB
22. Doctor Doctor Rarities
23. The Last Time Rarities
24. Under My Thumb Rarities
25. I Can See For Miles US single (vinyl)
26. Someone's Coming Magic Bus
27. Dogs Rarities

DISC TWO
1. Call Me Lightning Rarities
2. Magic Bus UK WBWB
3. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Rarities
4. Pinball Wizard MFSL Tommy
5. Dogs Part Two Two's Missing
6. See Me Feel Me MFSL Tommy
7. Overture From Tommy MFSL Tommy
8. The Seeker MBBB
9. Here For More Rarities
10. Summertime Blues Live At Leeds UK Polydor
11. Heaven And Hell Who's Missing
12. Let's See Action Who Collection
13. When I Was A Boy Rarities
14. Won't Get Fooled Again US WBWB
15. I Don't Even Know Myself Rarities
16. Join Together Who Collection
17. Baby Don't You Do It Rarities
18. Relay Who Collection
19. Waspman Rarities
20. 5:15 UK single (vinyl)
21. Water Two's Missing (ending from Rarities)

[Chris M]

So what tracks/sources did you change from your initial singles collection?

[Andreas]

What about Long Live Rock, Squeeze Box, You Better You Bet etc.?

Did you notice that My Generation MBBB has noises on the left channel during the bass solo? That is why I use WBWB for that.

Also, it seemed to me that US WBWB and UK WBWB used the same digital master (but at different volumes) for Anyway Anyhow Anywhere. If that is true, you could write more generally "WBWB'.

Lastly, in what way did you like Pinball Wizard on MFSL better than on MBBB?

[JWB]

So what tracks/sources did you change from your initial singles collection?

I didn't keep track the first time, Chris. Remember? I had far less disc space so I did it song by song and I only saved what I thought were the best sources. I also didn't have any of the UK hits discs. That's one of the reasons I'm doing it over again. This time I was far more elaborate in choosing the best versions.

What about Long Live Rock, Squeeze Box, You Better You Bet etc.?

It only goes up to 1973. No more room!

Did you notice that My Generation MBBB has noises on the left channel during the bass solo? That is why I use WBWB for that.

Yes, I only used the right channel.

Lastly, in what way did you like Pinball Wizard on MFSL better than on MBBB?

I don't remember. It might have been close and I used the MFSL because it had slightly less hiss or something, and because I used the MFSL for the rest of the "Tommy" tracks. Did Steve use the master tape?

The UK WBWB of "The Kids Are Alright" sounds identical to the Dr. Ebbetts. The Hoffman versions of "My Generation" and "A Legal Matter" sound a lot different than the Dr. Ebbetts, but I liked the sound better. The MCA CD of the US LP sounds crappy overall.

[lukpac]

The UK WBWB of "The Kids Are Alright" sounds identical to the Dr. Ebbetts. The Hoffman versions of "My Generation" and "A Legal Matter" sound a lot different than the Dr. Ebbetts, but I liked the sound better. The MCA CD of the US LP sounds crappy overall.

Really? I've got the Canadian CD, and always thought it sounded pretty good.

[JWB]

Really? I've got the Canadian CD, and always thought it sounded pretty good.

It's okay - not as good as the other sources though.

[Andreas]

Here is where I disagree with JWB:

5. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere UK WBWB --> US WBWB (true mono)
7. My Generation MBBB --> US WBWB (more pleasant eq)
12. The Ox Dr. Ebbetts My Generation --> The Who Sings My Generation
13. La-La-La Lies Dr. Ebbetts My Generation --> The Who Sings My Generation
14. The Good's Gone Dr. Ebbetts My Generation --> The Who Sings My Generation

I do like all of the common tracks on my The Who Sings My Generation CD more than on the Dr. Ebbetts My Generation.

Additionally, there are two cases where I simply prefer the stereo mix over the single mix:
I'm A Boy US WBWB (much more listenable than the the distorted and compressed mono mix)
Magic Bus MBBB (just a great stereo mix)

Finally, was The Kids Are Alright issued in its full length mix on both the US and the UK single?

[Andreas]

Also, it seemed to me that US WBWB and UK WBWB used the same digital master (but at different volumes) for Anyway Anyhow Anywhere. If that is true, you could write more generally "WBWB'.

I retract this statement. While the two stay in synch and look similar, the US WBWB is true mono, while the UK WBWB is not. You don't hear it, though. I don't know if they are from the same master.