Magic Bus (Standard)

by

The Who

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This cd was released after THE WHO SELL OUT did not do for the WHO what it should have. This cd contains some "A" and "B" sides and also songs included on THE WHO s' second and third albums (A QUICK ONE and SELLS OUT). At the moment of its release THE WHO had enough songs recorded for a follow up to SELLS OUT (Faith in Something Bigger, Jaguar, Glow Girl, Dogs, Magic Bus, Doctor Jeckyl and Mr. Hide, Girls Eyes and some others). The story says that Keith Lambert (the Who s' great manager and producer), wanted to release a record with a name like "Who s' for Tennis" (horrible name for an album). So someone at DECCA/MCA (their record company), decided to do "this" including their then new 45 "Magic Bus". This cd includes some songs recorded for WHO SELLS OUT in a different mix. Also 3 John Entwistle compositions: "Doctor Doctor", "Someone is Coming", "Doctor Jeckyl & Mr. Hide, this one has not yet appeared on any other cd, mix or version and is one of his best songs (sadly they never played in concert).

It also includes the horrible "Buckett T" (a number one single in Sweden--they have bad taste there). The also not favorite of mine 45 Who single "Call me lightning" is here (a number 54 in the US charts) and of course "Pictures of Lily" (a number 4 in England), and "Magic Bus" (a number 25 in US charts). From the Who s' second album "Run, Run, Run" and a strage mix of "Disguises" (it sounds as a razor edge in Roger s' mic).

If you are a real WHO fan, then you should have this because of "Jeckyl and Hide) and "Magic Bus", and also the other songs that have different mixes.

This is not a live album, as the title might lead one to believe; instead it is a collection of relatively obscure singles and B-sides. After the Who's success in America with the single "Magic Bus," the record company hastily threw together a mishmash of odds and ends. This album, released in 1968, is what resulted. The songs are a mixed bag, ranging from classics like "Pictures of Lily" to silliness like "Bucket T."

"I Can't Reach You" and "Our Love Was (Is)", both of which are great, come from "The Who Sell Out." (This album is the only place you can find a version of "Our Love Was" with a clean intro; that is, no crossfade from a previous song.)

Five more songs can be found on the remastered "A Quick One." "Disguises" has a very different mix from that on the box set and reissues. "Run Run Run" is a good song about a perpetually unlucky girl, and "Someone's Coming" and "Doctor, Doctor" are strange-but-fun John Entwistle compositions. "Bucket T." is the Who's attempt at Beach Boys-type material (Keith Moon's favorite song was "Don't Worry Baby.")

"Magic Bus" and "Pictures of Lily" (both excellent songs) are on "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy," which is a much more solid compilation. This leaves "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," a fun little song only available on this album, which is supposedly about Keith Moon's behavior when he was drinking. And a version of "Call Me Lightning" without lead guitar shows up here.

In short, this is an interesting, but extremely uneven compilation of songs. In addition, the sound is pretty poor. After the recent remasters, most of the songs on this album show up elsewhere, making it unnecessary for all but serious fans. And the running time is just 30 minutes, making it a bad value.

For the completist, this album might be worthwhile. But for casual fans, just get "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy" and "The Who Sell Out" for much more solid pieces from the same era.