‘TOMMY’ AS PERFORMED BY THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHAMBRE CHOIR SET FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 RELEASE VIA LOU ADLER’S ODE SOUND & VISUAL RECORDS; GUEST SOLOISTS INCLUDE PETE TOWNSHEND, ROGER DALTREY AND JOHN ENTWISTLE ALONG WITH ROD STEWART, RINGO STARR, STEVE WINWOOD

Fans of THE WHO can look forward to the Friday, September 11 reissue of the 1972 recording of TOMMY as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chambre Choir with guest soloists Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, along with Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, Steve Winwood, Merry Clayton, Richie Havens, Sandy Denny, Maggie Bell, Graham Bell, and actor Richard Harris. The re-mastered set (available on CD and vinyl formats and digital download) will be released via Lou Adler’s Ode Sound & Visual Records and distributed by The Orchard.

After over 30 years of being out of physical print, THE WHO‘s rock opera TOMMY is returning to the world the way it was meant to be recorded and listened to with the addition of a full orchestral dimension (conducted by David Measham and arranged by Wil Malone), both lush and appropriately bombastic, to the comparatively spare original version that THE WHO released in 1969. The concept of producer Lou Reizner, TOMMY was recorded for and released on Lou Adler’s Ode Records in 1972. It was performed by and featured the 104-piece London Symphony Orchestra and the 60-voice Chambre Choir.

“I always saw the Who’s version of Tommy as more of a sketch and felt there was more that could be done with it,” says Pete Townshend. “The London Symphony project, I think, paved the way for more to come.”

“When Lou Reizner explained his idea and concept for the recording of Tommy and that Pete Townshend was on board, that moved me to become involved,” adds Lou Adler.  “The recording sessions in England were dynamic and mind-boggling.  The size and sound of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Chambre Choir voices and the addition of the amazing soloists made Reizner’s dream a reality.”

The 1972 recording has been re-mastered at 24/192 bitrate. In addition to the sonic re-mastering, the reissue will be pressed on grey vinyl and include the original design concept libretto with a 20-page color illustration of the characters and lyrics.  The original release of the album won a Grammy for Best Album Package and Rod Stewart‘s version of “Pinball Wizard” has become a staple of best-of collections throughout his career. ALLMUSIC.COM‘s Bruce Eder called this recording of TOMMY “…a beautiful interpretation of the piece…” praising in particular Daltrey‘s performances raving, “…all of Daltrey’s numbers are outstanding…” and “the majestic conducting of David Measham…”

NARRATOR: Pete Townshend

NURSE: Sandy Denny

LOVER: Graham Bell

FATHER: Steve Winwood

MOTHER: Maggie Bell

HAWKER: Richie Havens

ACID QUEEN: Merry Clayton

TOMMY: Roger Daltrey

COUSIN KEVIN: John Entwistle

UNCLE ERNIE: Ringo Starr

LOCAL LAD: Rod Stewart

DOCTOR: Richard Harris

Track listing for TOMMY (as performed by the London Symphony Orchestra & Chambre Choir):

“Overture”                                   London Symphony Orchestra

“It’s A Boy”                                Sandy Denny

“1921”                                        Graham Bell/Steve Winwood/Maggie Bell/Roger Daltrey

“Amazing Journey”                     Pete Townshend

“Sparks”                                      London Symphony Orchestra

“Eyesight to The Blind”               Richie Havens

“Christmas”                                 Steve Winwood/Roger Daltrey

“Cousin Kevin”                           John Entwistle

“The Acid Queen”                        Merry Clayton

“Underture”                                  London Symphony Orchestra

“Fiddle About”                             Ringo Starr

“Pin Ball Wizard”                         Rod Stewart

“There’s A Doctor I’ve Found”      Steve Winwood

“Go To The Mirror Boy”                Richard Harris/Roger Daltrey/Steve Winwood

“Tommy Can You Hear Me?”        Maggie Bell

“Smash The Mirror”                      Maggie Bell

“I’m Free”                                     Roger Daltrey

“Miracle Cure”                               Chambre Choir

“Sensation”                                   Roger Daltrey

“Sally Simpson”                            Pete Townshend

“Welcome”                                    Roger Daltrey

“See Me, Feel Me”                          Roger Daltrey

ABOUT THE WHO:

THE WHO have sold over 100 million records since forming in 1964; they brought together four different personalities and in effect produced a musical hurricane.  Each of them was a pioneer. Wildman drummer Keith Moonbeat his kit with a chaotic elegance; stoic bassist John Entwistle held down the center with the melodic virtuosity of a solo guitarist; raging intellectual Pete Townshend punctuated the epic universality of his songs with the windmill slamming of his fingers across his guitar strings; and Roger Daltrey roared above it all with an impossibly virile macho swagger. They exploded conventional rhythm and blues structures, challenged pop music conventions, and redefined what was possible on stage, in the recording studio, and on vinyl. As they enter their 50^th year, the band is still going strong.  This September, THE WHO will continue their “THE WHO HITS 50!” North American tour with dates through the end of the year.

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