From Repetoire Records:

http://www.repertoirerecords.com/cgibin/catalogframeset.php?repcode=REPUK1114


· TOMMY - the famous rock opera - is presented here in this an all-star extravaganza, performed by the LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and CHAMBRE CHOIR with guest soloists. Featuring, among others, ROD STEWART, RICHIE HAVENS, MAGGIE BELL, STEVE WINWOOD, RINGO STARR, RICHARD HARRIS, SANDY DENNY and members of the WHO.

· Now available as a lavish Slip cased edition, a really superb package for the serious collector.

· Includes a fully illustrated, full colour 32-page booklet with the storyline and characters of the Tommy saga, song lyrics and illustrations.

· An essential collector’s items for all Who and
60s fans.

· Expertly remastered – superb, brilliant sound. The best in the business.


It was an astonishingly bold concept by the producer Lou Reizner to present the Who’s rock opera ‘Tommy’ as a dramatised, all-star extravaganza. Originally released as a double LP in a slipcase with lavish, illustrations, this was the first ever ‘coffee table’ album.

And it proved a huge best seller when first released in 1971 and helped on its way by the hit single version of
‘Pinball Wizard’, sung with gusto by Rod Stewart on the album. Among the other guest performers accompanied by the mighty orchestra and choir are Pete Townshend, Sandy Denny, Richie Havens, Stevie Winwood, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Maggie Bell, Ringo Starr and even movie actor Richard Harris.

This important CD re-issue serves not only as a tribute to the genius of the Who and composer Townshend, but as a memorial to Lou Reizner, a pioneer of multi-media projects, who died aged just 43 in 1977. A real collector’s item, this brings back golden memories of rock’s boldest, brashest era.

I have this per it's original release. Of all the "Tommy" releases, excluding the Who's of course, this one is really a good one. If I can find this at the right price, I get it!

Rick A.

I have the now-scarce Ode/Rhino CD release and the original vinyl(SQ Quadrophonic version*), and it will be interesting to see if this new CD release reproduces the booklet(the Ode/Rhino CD release didn't)

*to avoid paying royalties to the owners of the SQ quadrophonic system, the sticker on the quadrophonic edition simply said "Quadrophonic", and since the quadrophonic 2 L.P. set was distributed by A&M, it is obvious that the set was SQ, since that was the system A&M used on almost all of its' quadrophonic L.P.'s

I'm hoping the Who's TOMMY will get the same treatment as the imminent SELL OUT: a remastered rerelease with all kinds of additional tracks and outtakes and whatnot. Of course I have no idea if additional tracks and outtakes and whatnot even exist...

There's already been a Deluxe 2-disc edition of The Who's recording of "Tommy"(on hybrid SACD & DVD-Audio) and it adds unreleased material

The original Who's TOMMY album did receive the Deluxe Edition treatment as part of the same series now releasing SELL OUT; in addition, TOMMY boasted a hybrid SACD with a 5.1 mix. Check it out, Pip (Linda, can you create the appropriate AmazWAN link? Thanks!) -- the 5.1 mix is often stunning, and the outtakes & bonus material are very worthwhile, too.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DJZAH/?tag=imwan-20

or on DVD-Audio:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Z53F6/?tag=imwan-20

[Phil, ya beat me to to it while I was typing!]

BTW, if anybody purchases the new edition of the Ode TOMMY, can you report back? I own the original CD, so I'm curious if the packaging/liner notes/sound quality demand an upgrade. Thanks!!

I missed out on the Rhino CD, so I'm in the market for this reissue. Sure looks like they reproduced the original, elaborate album package. Repertoire is a label I trust to do a good job.

I already have this in the CD format from a couple of years ago and the lp sits right near me at all times.

I note your photo of the new CD release and it refers to an "Early Bird Offer". With what dealer?

Is any other webpage (Amazon, etc.) offering this set for sale? Repertoire Records wants 12 Euros to mail this to the US. By the way, 12 Euros equals $16.17 in US dollars. To mail two CD's? No freaking way.

Yes, http://www.keymailorder.com

Thanks for the link, Phil. I've learned that the release date for this is April 20.

O.K., it is now April 27th, and keymailorder.com still has not billed my credit card for this set (nor replied to my e-mails). Has anybody heard anything further on this set?

In case anybody cares...got a reply to my e-mail this morning telling me that the release date has been pushed back to June1.

I ordered this directly from Repertoire and it cost $36.50 USD with postage and I received it in about a week. They did an excellent job with the packaging. No one ever said music fanaticism would be cheap!

Arg.

How's the sound quality, and who remastered it?(hopefully not Jon Astley!)

Just got an e-mail stating that this disc has been released and is finally being shipped to me.

wow....$36.50? Got my used copy from Ebay a few years ago for about $15.

I actually saw this in stock at J&R. Price was over $30. Maybe during their next all-label sale.

This FINALLY arrived in my mailbox a few minutes ago. I'm playing it now.

I ordered this primarily because of my completism disorder. I'm listening to it now for the first time in probably at least 10 years--I think I have the vinyl somewhere--and for the first time on CD. I had forgotten how cool this set is--it's easily better than the other Tommy spinoff albums (the Broadway musical, the movie soundtrack).

For some reason, I thought this was a double-CD package--it is not. However, great care went into creating this package, and I'd be surprised if any element of the original vinyl set was left off of this release.

But again--the music is awesome. I can't wait to stick this baby in the car stereo.