Collectors Music Reviews

01. Heaven And Hell 1:46, 02. Can’t Explain 2:47, 03. Overture 4:35, 04  It’s A Boy 0:37, 05. 1921 2:27, 06. Amazing Journey 3:20, 07. Sparks 4:56, 08. The Acid Queen 2:42, 09. Summertime Blues 4:48, 10. My Generation 11.22

McDonough Gymnasium, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, Sunday November 2nd 1969

11. Heaven And Hell 3:27, 12. Can’t Explain 2:16, 13. Fortune Teller 2:48, 14. Summertime Blues 3:23, 15. Shakin’ All Over 5:44, 16. My Generation 8:51

City Hall, Hull, UK, Monday February 16th 1970

17. Young Man Blues 7:21

Total Time: 73:22

Rattle Snake has released fragments of 3 shows in outstanding soundboard quality. The 1st fragment was a previous soundboard released on NightHawk [NH-02013] as “Electric Factory 1969″.  Trystar [TR0016/17/18] released “Unreleased 1969 Show” with disc 3 providing an audience feed of the entire 22 track evening show.

The 2nd fragment was released by Joker Productions [JOK-041-A] as “Live Vol. 1″ featuring 13 tracks in good sound quality with 7 other miscellaneous tracks included. Dandelion [DL 112] also released “1969 Winter Time Trip” as a 13 track soundboard with 6 additional tracks from different sources. Tendolar [TDR-127] also released “Higher Education” as a 13 track soundboard source and adding 11 other demos and outtakes.

The Who’s setlist of 2-16-70 included “Heaven And Hell”, “I Can’t Explain”, “Fortune Teller”, “Tattoo” and “Young Man Blues” at City Hall, Hull, UK, of which the latter track represents the 3rd fragment on RS 227.

The 10-19-69 infamous Philadelphia fragment kicks off with the last 1:46 of “Heaven And Hell” and sounds amazing. The performance is tremendous overall with The Who brandishing their limitless energy and ferocious swagger. The instrument separation is stunning. “The Acid Queen” fades out nicely transitioning to “Summertime Blues” and ending with the last track played that evening, the explosive sounding “My Generation” which included a riveting “See Me, Feel Me” refrain. Another fine slow and deliberate fade-out closed out this first segment.

The 11-2-69 Washington performance immediately impresses with even greater fidelity featuring more enhanced and robust bass. Hard to imagine that there could be a greater margin for improvement. The Who in 1969 were completely deserving of this awesome sonic reproductive treatment which packs an absolute punch. “Shakin’ All Over” includes a short “Spoonful” refrain and “My Generation”, once again, features a “See Me, Feel Me” segment.

The 2nd fragment fades out to provide another nice transition to the 3rd and final soundboard fragment of, “Young Man Blues” which exhibits explosive raw intensity.

Rattle Snake provide their trademark packaging with gorgeous inserts, especially the usual thick front insert loaded with tasteful pictures. I found these 3 soundboard fragments to blend well together and offer a fine listen to The Who in their fertile period. Rattle Snake never disappoints and RS 227 easily merits must have status.