Album Information:

About The Who:

The Who is a British rock band that was formed in London in 1964. The band's original members were vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. Known for their high-energy performances and innovative sound, The Who became one of the most influential bands of the 1960s and 1970s.

The band's early years were marked by a string of hits, including 'I Can't Explain,' 'My Generation,' and 'Substitute.' Their music reflected the rebellious spirit of the times, and their live shows were characterized by explosive energy and destructive behavior. Keith Moon, in particular, became famous for his wild antics, which included destroying his drum set on stage.

As the 1960s turned into the 1970s, The Who's sound evolved. The band's 1969 concept album Tommy, which tells the story of a deaf, dumb, and blind boy who becomes a pinball champion, was a critical and commercial success. The band's sound became more complex and sophisticated, incorporating elements of rock, opera, and classical music.

The Who's next album, 1971's Who's Next, is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It features classic tracks like 'Baba O'Riley,' 'Behind Blue Eyes,' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again.' The band continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s, including Quadrophenia, which tells the story of a conflicted young mod, and The Who by Numbers, which features the hit 'Squeeze Box.'

Sadly, The Who's success was tempered by tragedy. In 1978, Keith Moon died of a drug overdose, and in 2002, John Entwistle died of a heart attack. Despite these losses, the band has continued to perform and record new music. In 2019, they released their first album in 13 years, titled WHO.

As a band, The Who has had a profound influence on the development of rock music. They were pioneers of the power chord, a staple of heavy metal and punk music, and their live shows set the standard for the kind of high-energy performances that are still popular today. They were also among the first bands to incorporate synthesizers into their music, paving the way for the electronic music that would follow. Through it all, the band's enduring legacy has been a testament to the power of rock and roll to inspire and move people.

About the album Odds & Sods:

Odds & Sods is a compilation album released by the English rock band, The Who, in 1974. The album contains previously unreleased material, B-sides, and non-album singles, as well as a handful of tracks that were originally intended for earlier albums but were left off.

The album consists of 11 tracks, with the first six being recorded between 1964 and 1966. The opening track, 'Postcard', is a simple acoustic number that was written and recorded by Pete Townshend during the early days of The Who. This is followed by 'Now I'm A Farmer', a tongue-in-cheek song about Townshend's brief stint as an actual farmer.

The third track, 'Put The Money Down', is a classic rock and roll song that was originally intended for inclusion on the A Quick One album but was left off due to time constraints. Next up is 'Little Billy', which features some tasty guitar work from Townshend and tells the story of a boy who accidentally kills his baby sister.

The last two tracks on Side One of the album are both covers. 'Too Much Of Anything' is a bluesy number that was written by John Entwistle, while 'Glow Girl' is a psychedelic, 7-minute epic that was written by Townshend.

Side Two of the album starts off with 'Pure And Easy', a song that was originally intended for the classic rock opera, Lifehouse, but was ultimately left off. This is followed by 'Faith In Something Bigger', a song about the power of faith that was also recorded during the Lifehouse sessions.

The fourth track on Side Two is 'I'm The Face', which was the first single released by The Who under the name 'The High Numbers'. This song was recorded in 1964 and features some great harmonica playing by Roger Daltrey.

Next up is 'Naked Eye', which was originally intended for inclusion on the Who's Next album but was ultimately left off due to time constraints. This is followed by 'Long Live Rock', a classic anthem for all those who love rock and roll.

The album ends with 'Time Is Passing', a slow, reflective acoustic song that was recorded during the same sessions as 'Pure And Easy'.

In summary, Odds & Sods is a collection of songs that ranges from classic rock and roll to psychedelic experimentation. It is a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and it is a must-have for any serious fan of The Who.

Members:

The Who is an English rock band formed in London in 1964. The band consisted of four key members:

1. Roger Daltrey:
Born on March 1, 1944, in London, England, Daltrey is the lead vocalist and occasional harmonica player for The Who. He grew up in a working-class family and showed an early interest in music. In 1959, Daltrey formed his first band, The Detours, which eventually became The Who. Besides singing, he also played guitar and harmonica on some of the band's early recordings. Daltrey is known for his powerful and distinctive voice, and his energetic stage persona. He has also acted in several films and television shows.

2. Pete Townshend:
Born on May 19, 1945, in Chiswick, London, Townshend is the main songwriter and guitarist for The Who. He also plays keyboards, bass guitar, and drums on some tracks. Townshend grew up in a musical family and started playing guitar at an early age. He joined The Detours in 1961 and took over as the band's primary songwriter. Townshend is known for his unique playing style, which includes windmilling his arm while strumming the guitar. He is also recognized for his introspective and thought-provoking lyrics.

3. John Entwistle:
Born on October 9, 1944, in Chiswick, London, Entwistle was the bassist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for The Who. He began playing the piano at a young age before switching to the trumpet and eventually the bass guitar. Entwistle was known for his technical ability, using complex bass lines and innovative playing techniques. He was also a talented songwriter and arranger, with some of his compositions becoming hit songs for the band.

4. Keith Moon:
Born on August 23, 1946 in Wembley, London, Moon was the drummer for The Who. He was known for his wild antics both on and off stage, and his unique drumming style, including intricate fills and a distinct use of tom-toms. Moon's drinking and drug use affected his health and performance, and he passed away in 1978 at the age of 32.

Together, these four key members of The Who created some of the most iconic music of the 1960s and 1970s, influencing generations of rock musicians to come.

Track List for Odds & Sods:

1. 'Postcard' (0:23) - A short instrumental intro track featuring a harmonica, piano and guitar, setting the tone for the album.

2. 'Now I'm a Farmer' (3:59) - A quirky rock song with a country twang, featuring lead vocals by Pete Townshend and a catchy chorus.

3. 'Put the Money Down' (4:14) - A bluesy track featuring Roger Daltrey's powerful vocals and a driving rhythm section.

4. 'Little Billy' (2:15) - A jaunty tune with a playful melody, about a mischievous boy who causes trouble for his mother.

5. 'Too Much of Anything' (4:25) - A slow, melancholic track with a haunting piano melody and reflective lyrics about the dangers of excess.

6. 'Glow Girl' (2:23) - A dreamy, psychedelic song featuring a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, with ethereal vocals by Pete Townshend.

7. 'Pure and Easy' (5:22) - A contemplative ballad with a poetic and introspective lyric, delivered with gentle vocals and a harmonious arrangement.

8. 'Faith in Something Bigger' (3:04) - A driving rock track with a catchy chorus and optimistic lyrics about finding meaning and purpose in life.

9. 'I'm the Face' (2:31) - A mod-inspired tune with a catchy beat and humorous lyrics about a man trying to impress a woman by claiming to be the face of a particular fashion brand.

10. 'Naked Eye' (5:08) - A complex and experimental track with intricate guitar work, overlapping vocals and a brooding atmosphere.

11. 'Long Live Rock' (3:56) - A lively and upbeat anthem about the enduring power and impact of rock music, featuring a rousing chorus and driving guitar riffs.

12. 'Zoot Suit' (4:01) - A jazzy, swing-influenced track with a playful melody and witty lyrics about a fashion trend popular in the 40s.

13. 'Here 'Tis' (2:08) - A catchy, up-tempo blues track with a repetitive riff and energetic vocals by Roger Daltrey.

14. 'The Seeker' (3:25) - A hard-rocking track with a memorable guitar riff and lyrics about a nomadic individual seeking knowledge and understanding.

Overall, Odds & Sods is a collection of rarities and unreleased tracks showcasing The Who's versatility, experimentation and originality beyond their hit singles. From country rock to blues to psychedelic, the album offers a diverse and entertaining portrait of the band's early years.

Discography for The Who:

Here is the complete discography for The Who in chronological order:

Albums:

1. My Generation - December 3, 1965
2. A Quick One - December 9, 1966
3. The Who Sell Out - December 15, 1967
4. Tommy - May 23, 1969
5. Who's Next - August 25, 1971
6. Quadrophenia - October 26, 1973
7. The Who By Numbers - October 3, 1975
8. Who Are You - August 18, 1978
9. Face Dances - March 16, 1981
10. It's Hard - September 4, 1982
11. Endless Wire - October 30, 2006

Singles (UK release dates):

1. 'I Can't Explain' - January 15, 1965
2. 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere' - May 21, 1965
3. 'My Generation' - November 5, 1965
4. 'Substitute' - March 4, 1966
5. 'A Legal Matter' - March 11, 1966
6. 'The Kids Are Alright' - June 3, 1966
7. 'I'm a Boy' - August 26, 1966
8. 'Happy Jack' - December 9, 1966
9. 'Pictures of Lily' - April 21, 1967
10. 'The Last Time' - June 30, 1967
11. 'I Can See for Miles' - October 13, 1967
12. 'Dogs' - June 14, 1968
13. 'Magic Bus' - September 20, 1968
14. 'Pinball Wizard' - March 7, 1969
15. 'The Seeker' - March 20, 1970
16. 'Summertime Blues' - June 26, 1970
17. 'See Me, Feel Me' / 'Overture from Tommy' - September 28, 1970
18. 'Won't Get Fooled Again' - June 25, 1971
19. 'Let's See Action' - October 15, 1971
20. 'Join Together' - June 16, 1972
21. 'Relay' - November 24, 1972
22. '5.15' - October 5, 1973
23. 'Squeeze Box' - October 3, 1975
24. 'Who Are You' - June 1978
25. 'Sister Disco' - July 21, 1979
26. 'You Better You Bet' - February 27, 1981
27. 'Don't Let Go the Coat' - April 1981
28. 'Athena' - May 1982
29. 'Eminence Front' - June 1982
30. 'Twist and Shout' - December 1984

Other releases:

1. 'Ready Steady Who' - November 11, 1966 (EP)
2. 'Tommy' - May 23, 1969 (rock opera)
3. 'LIVE at Leeds' - May 16, 1970 (live album)
4. 'Odds & Sods' - September 28, 1974 (compilation album)
5. 'The Kids Are Alright' - June 26, 1979 (soundtrack album)
6. 'The Secret Policeman's Other Ball' - September 1981 (live album)