Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy is the only Moon-era Who CD I'm missing. I'm guessing (wrongly perhaps?) that everything on it has already been reissued. Still, it's considered the best collection of the early singles. Has anyone heard if this is going to be reissued on CD? The current U.S. version dates to 1987 I believe. Thanks for any info.

I've seen what I believe is a Canadian issue of the album on the shelves that is a relatively recent issue--my copy of MBB&B is, at 21 years old, the oldest CD in my collection. It has been reissued with a mini-sleeve in Japan, but I seriously doubt that it will be reissued in the U.S. again any time soon. (Insert Renny wisecrack here)

In all seriousness, my copy of MBB&B (I should toss it in the player soon and see if it still plays) has an alternate version of "I'm A Boy" with a French horn solo that I don't think it particularly easy to find elsewhere, although I would want to look into that a little bit further...also, my vinyl copy of MBB&B contained an extended version of "Magic Bus" (with no fade out at the end) which is not the version on my CD, and is also difficult to find on CD.

OK, according to a couple of websites I've checked just now (including http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/MBBB.htm ) the extended "Magic Bus" appears on the Japanese mini-sleeve version and on "The Who Collection". But I'm not seeing where the alternate "I'm A Boy" is available elsewhere, except "an edited mono version" on the "Ultimate Collection" bonus disc.

FWIW, I really like the alternate "I'm A Boy" with the French horn better, and I cut my teeth on the extended version of "Magic Bus". That Japanese mini-sleeve version sure looks tempting...and yes, back in the 1980's, "Meaty" was really the only required Who hits compilation. There may be more to choose from these days, but there's something even cooler about owning the original om 2008. I think I'm going to spin my trusty old copy later on tonight...damn thing's old enough to buy beer.

I've been looking for that extended version of Magic Bus for AGES. I had it on cassette on "Gigantes del Pop" a compliation from Spain, but foolishly parted ways with it in the Great Cassette Purge of '03.

I love how instead of "I want it, I want it, Ya CAN'T HAVE IT!" it's "Can't have it...Think how much I'll save...Can't have it...I want it, I want it now..."

Much cooler.

One would think that for a band that has 157 different GH comps, ONE of them would have that version.

What actually put MBB&B back into my head was a spilit-second reference to it in a Simpson's episode - four characters in the show re-enacted the exact posed image of the Who as on the back cover. Only a Who nut would ever have noticed. A blink and it was gone. Hilarious.

Here it is:
http://punclox.co.uk/archives/File_Photo.JPG

Meaty was mastered by the honorable Mister Hoffman.

goog,

you are somewhat correct.

not all copies, only one certain one.

i couldn't tell you which one, but it's like "who's next", of which there is a version of out there mastered by steve hoffman.

i'm sure that if you go over to the hoffman site and type either one in the search box you will get a plethora of info.

i seem to recall that both of the hoffman remasters are canadian.

renny

Renny,

I think amazon.ca still has those Canadian MCA's in stock, I should snap them up. I'd like the entire Who catalog in MCA plaidback, in addition to the Jon Astley 90's remasters.

The long version "Magic Bus" can be found on the vinyl "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy" or on the CD "The Who Collection, Volume 2" which came out in Europe in 1985 (I think). The latter sometimes pop up on ebay.

goog,

i think only "meaty" and "who's next" MCA's were remastered by hoffman, but i could be wrong.

renny

Renny,

Yes, that's what I've read. I recall a thread on these MCA's back on the old board, those were the only Hoffman jobs mentioned.

After further research, what I'm finding is that apparently the "Magic Bus" master that was used for the vinyl MBB&B was lost, and therefore not used for the CD version. It seems fairly certain that the 2007 Japanese remaster does indeed somehow contain the extended version, and the fact that prices of this disc have risen sharply, even for a Japanese import, seem to support this. (Compare the prices to the mono "Who Sell Out" mini sleeve--ouch!)

MBB&B is indeed still in print on CD up in Canada ( http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00000761Z/?tag=imwanca-20 ) and much more reasonably priced, even with the exhorbitant international shipping charges. I'd long been under the impression that the classic six-track version of "Live At Leeds" was still in print up there as well, but apparently this is not the case.

This nine-track Canadian "Who's Next" disc purportedly contains the Hoffman mix: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00000DWHH/?tag=imwanca-20 . I guess Hoffman made up with Pete after their run-in at Woodstock in which Townshend smashed his guitar over Abbie's head.

This is interesting...in searching for the other OOP MCA Who titles, Amazon.ca is also listing both "Magic Bus: The Who On Tour" and "Who's Missing" as still in print; "Two's Missing", however, is OOP. 1983's inferior "Who's Greatest Hits" is still in print, and a version of "Who's Last" is listed as well--although I don't see MCA mentioned anywhere in that listing...finally, "Hooligans" and the "Join Together" set are also apparently both OOP up there as well.

The long version is also on the bonus CD that came with the Japanese Then and Now 2004 compilation.

TheOx

They're really not as hard to find as one might think.

Roxanne--I don't see any of those Who titles on your website...did that "My Generation" box set ever come out?

My website needs updated REALLY BAD!! All I've been doing as of late is special ordering for a small base of customers. I found out today that Universal Japan is re-releasing the first batch of SHM discs that came out January 23rd. There is a list of 49 titles that will be reissued if the demand warrants it. I'm already placing preorders for some of them hoping there will be enough interest for them to come out. The Hendrix discs, Who's Next, Stones, etc. are on tap. I'm waiting for the rest of the list from my rep in Tokyo.

The "My Generation" box set is due for release on August 6th or 8th.

Any idea on price...?

Or a track listing?

Are you certain about this? I believe all MBB&B except the new mono Japan Mini LP are the Hoffman master. On the other hand Who's Next has quite a few different masterings.

From cdjapan.com:

My Generation Collector's Box [Cardboard Sleeve] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

Deluxe edition cardboard sleeve box set for The Who's debut album "My Generation." Set features two high quality SHM-CDs (compatible with standard CD players) with the first ever release worldwide of the original UK mono recordings of the album plus B-sides, outtakes, demos, and more. All tracks feature remastering from Jon Astley. Box set features cardboard sleeve replicas of all seven different designs for the original album artwork (Japan, Europe, and more), plus cardboard sleeve replica covers for all singles and EP's related to "My Generation" in the various designs released worldwide (nearly 20 different sleeves). Box also features explanations, lyrics, Japanese translations, and serial number for the collectors out there. *Note: complete recordings are housed on two SHM-CDs, with box housing various alternate cardboard sleeve covers.

You are correct

I had posted most of that info about the My Generation Box set back on April 25th in the Collector's Corner thread. I thought I had, but had to go back and look to make sure.
The problem with a lot of these cds is, there is an order deadline that usually precedes release date by several months. If I miss the deadline, chances are I won't get the particular release. There are procrastinators out there in cd land that want to wait until it comes out, and then wait until somebody takes a chance and buys one. Then, after they decide to finally take the plunge and buy it....... it's out of print and going on ebay to the highest bidder. I know. Been there, done that, reaped the profits. Believe me, I'm not being a smart ass or sarcastic, just stating a fact. After almost 2 years of selling these, I've learned.

One other thing I've noticed are the complaints about the cost of the SHM discs and the Mini Lp Sleeves. Customers will buy a "Limited Edition Promo Box" from a Japanese Etailer on Ebay and pay a premium for a laminated cardboard box, when for the same price they can end up with 2-4 extra cds to listen to. I sell 7 Steely Dan SHM discs for $175 + maybe $6 postage, or you can go to ebay, buy the same 7 cds with a "promo box" for $240 + $15 shipping. Is that "Promo Box" really worth $74?? How do you not justify the cost of the music, but yet you can justify paying $74 for a $1 laminated cardboard box?
Please, somebody enlighten me to that.

Given that most mini-LPs represent a packaging fetish to begin with, it's not surprising to see that extended to the "packaging for the packaging", so to speak.