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Tommy vs Quadrophenia

BrainofBGABrainofBGA Posts: 4,340
in Other Music
I recently sat down and watched a documentary on the Quadrophenia album here in Australia and it got me thinking that I really should purchase this album. However which is the better album? Quadrophenia or Tommy? I don't own either and thought why not ask some seasoned professionals on this board. So....Quadrophenia or Tommy?
Melbourne #1 '98
Melbourne #2 '03
Melbourne #3 '03
Melbourne #1 '06
Melbourne #3 '06
Melbourne '09
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Comments

  • 63schoefflin63schoefflin Posts: 2,581
    Quad for me
    '08- Camden 1-2   '09- Chicago 2; Spectrum 1-4
    '10- MSG 1-2   '11- PJ20
    '12- MIA; DeLuna '13- Wrigley; Pitt; Brooklyn 1-2; Philly 1-2; Baltimore; Seattle
    '14- Denver   '16- Philly 1-2; MSG 2
    '17- Pilgrimage Music Fest (Eddie)
    '18- Fenway
  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass Posts: 12,329
    Quadrophenia is the greatest album of all time. It's worth your while to purchase both, but Quad should come first
    I've met Rob

    DEGENERATE FUK

    This place is dead

    "THERE ARE NO CLIQUES, ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T JOIN THE FUN" - Empty circa 2015

    "Kfsbho&$thncds" - F Me In the Brain - circa 2015
  • SD48277SD48277 Posts: 12,243
    Empty Glass wrote: »
    Quadrophenia is the greatest album of all time. It's worth your while to purchase both, but Quad should come first

    ^^^ This.
    ELITIST FUK
  • RobbyD462RobbyD462 Posts: 4,812
    Only one Who album for me and that's
    Who's Next
    I like live at Leeds but couldn't get into Tommy or Quad even though I have both vinyls lol
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/21/9 -Vancouver,B.C-Rogers Arena-12/4/13 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/6/24
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/22/9 -Pemberton,B.C-7/17/16
    -Vancouver,B.C-GM Place -9/25/9 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/8/18
    -Vancouver,B.C-Pacific Coliseum-9/25/11 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/10/18
    -Misoula,MT-Adams Field House-9/30/12 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/4/24

  • 63schoefflin63schoefflin Posts: 2,581
    Let's put it like this.... Quad was one of the albums that my one class in college focused on as some of the most important in the 20th century.
    '08- Camden 1-2   '09- Chicago 2; Spectrum 1-4
    '10- MSG 1-2   '11- PJ20
    '12- MIA; DeLuna '13- Wrigley; Pitt; Brooklyn 1-2; Philly 1-2; Baltimore; Seattle
    '14- Denver   '16- Philly 1-2; MSG 2
    '17- Pilgrimage Music Fest (Eddie)
    '18- Fenway
  • JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,515
    Quad is an amazing album.....make sure to see the movie as well!
  • weddingparadeweddingparade Posts: 1,179
    the new live from london quad dvd made my year last year
    SO GOOD OMG
  • samjamsamjam Posts: 9,283
    Quadrophenia is in a league of its own
    "Sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith in no faith."
    ~not a dude~
    2010: MSGx2
    2012: Made In America
    2013: Pittsburgh, Brooklynx2, Hartford, Baltimore
    2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes, Detroit
    2015: Global Citizen Festival
    2016: Phillyx2, MSGx2, Fenwayx2
    2018: Barcelona, Wrigleyx2
  • red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    Quad.
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
    EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
  • Who PrincessWho Princess Posts: 7,305
    Quad.
    If you saw the documentary I'm thinking of, it gave some very good background to the story and themes.

    I've had a few people tell me they had a hard time getting into Quad. If you enjoyed the documentary though you'll probably like the album.

    I love both Tommy and Quad but Quad is in a class by itself. It's Pete's masterpiece.
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
  • BrainofBGABrainofBGA Posts: 4,340
    Thanks so far for the feedback. Quad hands down so far! The documentary was so good. Went through where it was recorded, some locals who were photographed for the album, the ups and downs of the band during recording, spoke to both Pete and roger too. Great archival footage especially of Moon.
    Melbourne #1 '98
    Melbourne #2 '03
    Melbourne #3 '03
    Melbourne #1 '06
    Melbourne #3 '06
    Melbourne '09
    Melbourne '14
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,429
    edited January 2015
    I always liked some of The Who's stuff, but when I sat and listened to Quadrophenia for the first time, it made realize why they're lumped in with the Zep's ans Floyds of the musical universe. Just a masterpiece from beginning to end.

    That's a really great documentary.
  • MedozKMedozK Posts: 9,209
    No question..... Quadrophenia
  • qontheboardqontheboard Posts: 784
    Quad for sure. However, Tommy live 1969 - 1970 is another story. Check out Tommy live after you've done Quad.

    q
  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass Posts: 12,329
    qontheboard wrote: »
    Quad for sure. However, Tommy live 1969 - 1970 is another story. Check out Tommy live after you've done Quad.

    q

    Agree - The Who Live at Hull 1970 and The Isle of Wight are must owns

    Leeds is fine if you get the deluxe version, but the other two shows are better in my opinion
    I've met Rob

    DEGENERATE FUK

    This place is dead

    "THERE ARE NO CLIQUES, ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T JOIN THE FUN" - Empty circa 2015

    "Kfsbho&$thncds" - F Me In the Brain - circa 2015
  • Who PrincessWho Princess Posts: 7,305
    The Who were always best heard live in the 60s and 70s. (Except that first Quad tour!)

    Lots of people enjoy the Quad movie. I think it's fun but not great. That Quad documentary (Can You See the Real Me?) does a better job of explaining the themes than the movie did. Really looking forward to when they finally release that doc on dvd. If you get the recent deluxe Quad, it's pricey but I especially liked the book that came with it and the demos of the Quad songs, including the ones that weren't included. We Close Tonight is a fave of mine and only shows up on Odds and Sods.
    BrainofBGA wrote: »
    Thanks so far for the feedback. Quad hands down so far! The documentary was so good. Went through where it was recorded, some locals who were photographed for the album, the ups and downs of the band during recording, spoke to both Pete and roger too. Great archival footage especially of Moon.

    Ah yes, the famous fight when Roger knocked Pete out. =)) Four volatile personalities in that band.
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
  • BrainofBGABrainofBGA Posts: 4,340
    I remember seeing Ed here in Oz in March last year after PJs Big Day Out festival gigs and in one of the two shows I went to Ed opened with Im One. Great way to start the show. Not many knew it though!
    Melbourne #1 '98
    Melbourne #2 '03
    Melbourne #3 '03
    Melbourne #1 '06
    Melbourne #3 '06
    Melbourne '09
    Melbourne '14
  • 63schoefflin63schoefflin Posts: 2,581
    Love Sting as the bellboy in the movie.... If memory serves me correct.
    '08- Camden 1-2   '09- Chicago 2; Spectrum 1-4
    '10- MSG 1-2   '11- PJ20
    '12- MIA; DeLuna '13- Wrigley; Pitt; Brooklyn 1-2; Philly 1-2; Baltimore; Seattle
    '14- Denver   '16- Philly 1-2; MSG 2
    '17- Pilgrimage Music Fest (Eddie)
    '18- Fenway
  • weddingparadeweddingparade Posts: 1,179
    indeed sting is the cool mod/bellboy in the movie.
    found the bbc quad doc on a torrent last night. can't wait to see it.
  • Who PrincessWho Princess Posts: 7,305
    Sting was the Ace Face.
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
  • PJ1973PJ1973 Posts: 415
    When I first got into The Who, I like Tommy a lot, but it hasn't held on for me. I grew into Quadrophenia and agree with other posters it's in the discussion for best albums ever.
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 29,579
    Quad !!!
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,058
    Of the two, Quadrophenia.

    My favorites are still A Quick One and Sell Out when the boys were still young, snotty and just a tad bit naive. And Keith was at his crazy best. That was a great time.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Empty GlassEmpty Glass Posts: 12,329
    Very few albums get me moving like Quad. Driving, at home, at work...Punk and the Godfather, Is it in my Head, 5:15, Sea and Sand etc...

    They all get me blaring out the lyrics and my arms are all over as I attempt to pull of Moonie as best as possible
    I've met Rob

    DEGENERATE FUK

    This place is dead

    "THERE ARE NO CLIQUES, ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T JOIN THE FUN" - Empty circa 2015

    "Kfsbho&$thncds" - F Me In the Brain - circa 2015
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance Posts: 23,308
    I really love Tommy for some reason. I'm listening to Quadrophrenia for the first time in its entirety right now. Let's see if it can bump Tommy...
    www.cluthelee.com
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Posts: 12,223
    edited January 2015
    Hmmm. I feel that Tommy sprawls somewhat as a double-album. Its acoustic-based production is a little samey and over-restrained. The filler songs might try to maintain the narrative, but musically they're skippable. We don't really need Sparks and Underture so close together and taking up so much space on the album. I know these numbers worked fantastically live -- just watch the 1970 Tanglewood live footage for example -- but there's something missing in the studio versions and they don't have much impact. Here's Sparks at Tanglewood:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpkJd6MMT0E

    I always preferred the shorter, more surprising Rael climax on The Who Sell Out as an early version of what would become Underture.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eDiMaUriWk

    The 1973 version of Quadrophenia has a far greater number of substantial songs, which are sensitively written, performed, and produced. I don't think there's a clunker on the entire album: even I Am The Sea is a beautifully evocative soundscape that anticipates a lot of ambient music of decades to come.The 1979 movie soundtrack LP was a bit brutal to cut so much good material to make way for a variety mix of mod-era staples.

    But then, music's subjective, innit?
    Post edited by FinsburyParkCarrots on
  • EdsonNascimentoEdsonNascimento Posts: 5,521
    SD48277 wrote: »
    Empty Glass wrote: »
    Quadrophenia is the greatest album of all time. It's worth your while to purchase both, but Quad should come first

    ^^^ This.

    ^^^^^ This twice.
    Sorry. The world doesn't work the way you tell it to.
  • -.- Glorified GnothingMan -.--.- Glorified GnothingMan -.- Posts: 434
    It's always been Quad but I've come to like Tommy much more after hearing some of the live versions of it i.e. The Isle of Wight
    ~~~~~~~Vinyl For Sale (shipping costs in North America included)~~~~~~~
    The Who - Phases Box Set. Ltd. Ed. All 9 studio albums w/ Moon (11 discs) $200
    ^discogs entry link^
    Peter Gabriel - Up 200 gram 'Classic Records' audiophile version. Sealed. $225
    ^discogs entry link^
    Van Halen - I 180 gram Remastered 'DCC Compact Classic' version. Ltd. Ed. (#53!). Sealed. $175
    ^discogs entry link^
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • -.- Glorified GnothingMan -.--.- Glorified GnothingMan -.- Posts: 434
    edited January 2015
    Btw, if you don't have the 200 gram Quadrophenia on vinyl on the "Classic Records" label, then you really haven't heard that album yet. Serious people, spend the money, I repeat, spend the money, and GET THIS YESTERDAY!!!!
    discogs.com/Who-Quadrophenia/release/2280712

    PS: Make sure you get the 200 gram version and not the 140 or 150 gram version
    Post edited by -.- Glorified GnothingMan -.- on
    ~~~~~~~Vinyl For Sale (shipping costs in North America included)~~~~~~~
    The Who - Phases Box Set. Ltd. Ed. All 9 studio albums w/ Moon (11 discs) $200
    ^discogs entry link^
    Peter Gabriel - Up 200 gram 'Classic Records' audiophile version. Sealed. $225
    ^discogs entry link^
    Van Halen - I 180 gram Remastered 'DCC Compact Classic' version. Ltd. Ed. (#53!). Sealed. $175
    ^discogs entry link^
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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