[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The Who — Amazing Journey/Sparks
Album: Tommy
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1895









Released: 1969
Length: 7:06
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Deaf Dumb and blind boy
He's in a quiet vibration land
Strange as it seems his musical dreams
Ain't quite so bad.

Ten years old
With thoughts as bold as thought can be
Loving life and becoming wise
In simplicity.

Sickness will surely take the mind
Where minds can't usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.

A vague haze of delerium
creeps up on me.
All at once a tall stranger I suddenly see.
He's dressed in a silver sparked


Glittering gown
And His golden beard flows
Nearly down to the ground.

Nothing to say and nothing to hear
And nothing to see.
Each sensation makes a note in my symphony.

Sickness will surely take the mind
Where minds can't usually go.
Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.

His eyes are the eyes that
Transmit all they know.
Sparkle warm crystalline glances to show
That he is your leader
And he is your guide
On the amazing journey together you'll ride.
Comments (337)add comment
I have missed this!  Never have a chance to sit and listen to two tracks back to back anymore... must do so again!
Never get tired of this. Brings me right back to being a kid and listening to this album over and over.
 talexb wrote:
For me, the amazing thing about The Who is the bass playing. John Entwistle didn't play the bass part, he played another lead part, in  the bass clef. The rest of the band is great too, but listen to the bass part. So inventive!
 

Pete did state once that John was the band's lead guitarist.
Anybody know what the Sparks are? I've always wondered.
I must have seen that wiki pic 100s of times>>>>
but this is the first time I noticed Keith is wearing an Esso service station jump suit... it always seemed more NASA than local gas pump... 
 Jannne wrote:
Loved it the first time I heard it and still do.  It was the first rock song I had ever heard in my life!  I will never forget the feeling of that first time !
 
Quite unusual... What were the circumstances that this was your first rock song? 
Loved it the first time I heard it and still do.  It was the first rock song I had ever heard in my life!  I will never forget the feeling of that first time !
Remember seeing the Who perform the whole opera in about 1971, but unfortunately, it was in a garbage can of a hall (CNE Coliseum in Toronto). I'm sure they weren't happy with the sound either.
 david16 wrote:
Far from The Who’s best material...
 
Thanks for your opinion. That's all it is.
The second album I ever bought, right after Yes Fragile. As a kid I couldn't believe how much it cost, I had to save my allowance for weeks to afford it. But it really kicked my ass, so different, so eye opening to the power of music. I still think it's their best work. 
For me, the amazing thing about The Who is the bass playing. John Entwistle didn't play the bass part, he played another lead part, in  the bass clef. The rest of the band is great too, but listen to the bass part. So inventive!
I've always loved The Who but I always thought their power kind of got lost when Townshend was making his big "operatic" statements.  There were decent moments on both this record and Quadrophenia but pound for pound Who's Next and some of the earlier singles like Join Together and I Can See For Miles are their best work.
 rpdevotee wrote:
Unmatched...
Two record/CD album tells the profound story of Tommy with an important message for all of us to learn  {#Meditate}

Thank you Keith!
May God rest your soul in a special place!

{#Drummer} 
 
The year of Woodstock, the concept for the first Rock Opera, what a time to be alive. Well all the time is the best time to be alive.
50 years on and still amazing\
 Alastair wrote:
Well, at 56 this is supposed to be music of my time but, to me it's just pretentious.  Leaves me cold.  

 
How was it music of your time? You would have only been about 8 when this was released - hardly the sort of music children listened to in the late 1960's. Your 'time' was more likely the mid to late 1970's and there really was some pretentious Prog Rock music around then.
Far from The Who’s best material...
Keith coming in on drums - awesome!!
To me this is 7 - Quite Likeable  but only  barely
9 :)
...and the bass playing is phenomenal too!
 
idiot_wind wrote:
its just that the drumming is so freaking good. And guitar is OK.

But combined...you get high from listening to it.   
 

its just that the drumming is so freaking good. And guitar is OK.

But combined...you get high from listening to it.   
 Typesbad wrote:
I just realized that when I drum with my fingers on my desk, or my palms on my steering wheel hub, I drum Keith Moon style, no matter what the song is.  That explains why they hurt so much afterwards.

 
I miss my old Corolla, where a good flat hand slap on the center of the steering wheel had the right amount of resonance that it sounded like a Bruford snare.
 kurtster wrote:

at 65 its the music of my time.  Senoir year in highschool. 

Cruising down the Delaware River road from New Hope, Pa.

 
jeez, can you believe it?
 eveliko wrote:
But nobody can write songs like this anymore. Too many notes!
 
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALTHwX4zlvk/UpYdu1YUNOI/AAAAAAAAZsw/ecFvCQog8ns/s400/images.jpeg
But nobody can write songs like this anymore. Too many notes!
 Alastair wrote:
Well, at 56 this is supposed to be music of my time but, to me it's just pretentious.  Leaves me cold.  

 
at 65 its the music of my time.  Senoir year in highschool. 

Cruising down the Delaware River road from New Hope, Pa.
Timeless. As simple as that. 
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Only a 7.4?  Holy Crap...{#No} 
 

 Hannio wrote:
If it makes you feel any better, the mode and the median of the statistical sampling is 8.
  {#Lol}{#Bananapiano}
 kingart wrote:

Greatest, indeed, other than Ginger Baker and John Bonham. But they each keep other superb company on the rock drummer's Olympus. 

 
Yes, but you forgot guys like Mitch Mitchell, Barrie Barlow (of Jethro Tull) and Bill Bruford.

Bonham said Barlow was the best rock drummer to come out of England.
 kingart wrote:
Only a 7.3.
Boys and girls, this is greatness. Show some love.  

 
7.3?!
What was I thinking when I gave this tune a 3?!
*2*
 
I just realized that when I drum with my fingers on my desk, or my palms on my steering wheel hub, I drum Keith Moon style, no matter what the song is.  That explains why they hurt so much afterwards.
 thewiseking wrote:
ROCK has never surpassed this
an epic in 3 chords

 
I hear at least 5 chords.  But all of them are great.
ROCK has never surpassed this
an epic in 3 chords
Well, at 56 this is supposed to be music of my time but, to me it's just pretentious.  Leaves me cold.  
 idiot_wind wrote:
I always say this with The Who: Keith was the world's greatest RnR drummer. I think he had a third arm. Go look at the old photos.   

 
Greatest, indeed, other than Ginger Baker and John Bonham. But they each keep other superb company on the rock drummer's Olympus. 
Bill, I wish you'd tell us before you play songs like this, so that I can get to the computer and CRANK the volume BEFORE the song begins. 
I always say this with The Who: Keith was the world's greatest RnR drummer. I think he had a third arm. Go look at the old photos.   
Yaaaa  Go Keith !!!!!!!   Amazing drumming!
One of my all-time favorite albums...
 
I tried hard to like this double LP when it came out. The fact is, most of the music isn't that good. 5.
 kingart wrote:
Only a 7.3.
Boys and girls, this is greatness. Show some love.  

 
sorry can't do it and it's from my generation
didn't care for any of the so-called rock operas
 it's just lame
Only a 7.3.
Boys and girls, this is greatness. Show some love.  
I always thought there was something delightfully feral, almost unhinged going on in this that was/ is rarely captured on record. Bravo!  
 alux wrote:

Oy!  That woosh you just heard was the sarcasm flying over your head.

 
heh


THE WHO yesterday confirmed that they are postponing all remaining dates on their “THE WHO HITS 50!” North American tour.

Meanwhile: https://thewhofilm.com/

The Who hit 50 at Hyde Park
 pinto wrote:

I can totally understand how you would feel that way.  To me their music is meant to be enjoyed live and fortunately I was lucky enough to see them in concert from the fourth row in 1975.  I cannot hear a song of theirs now without thinking about how it would sound live.  The studio recordings are too polished or something.

 
Yes, they are different live.  Having seen them do Tommy back in 69 through about 5 or 6 more times up to around 95, they are better live than in the studio.  But they are also really great in the studio.  Not many bands can do both.  The Who can and do.
They played this last Monday night at their show in Austin.

Zac Starkey, filled in for Keith Moon and didn't miss a single beat: he was astoundingly good at reproducing Keith's beats perfectlt and faithfully.

My first concert was The Ventures in 1963.  The Who's show was without a doubt THE BEST concert I've ever attended.  Indescribably well done. 
https://www.mikemcinnerney.com/images/content/shop/tommyt1.jpg
Ah, the triple gatefold jacket!
 Stratocaster wrote:
I realise I'm in the minority, but I just don't think The Who are that great.  I'm of the age that I should like them...but I don't.  I wish I did, though.

 
Glad you felt the need to tell us this.
7.3??  Really people??  C'mon - this is The Oooo'!!
Live at leeds version is BRILLIANT I live In Leeds
 rdo wrote:

there are a lot of us who don't give a shit about things like that
 
Oy!  That woosh you just heard was the sarcasm flying over your head.
amazing album, amazing band {#Cool}
 westslope wrote:

I agree and feel that way about much of Led Zeppelin's material.

Still fun to hear though.

 
I can totally understand how you would feel that way.  To me their music is meant to be enjoyed live and fortunately I was lucky enough to see them in concert from the fourth row in 1975.  I cannot hear a song of theirs now without thinking about how it would sound live.  The studio recordings are too polished or something.
 Stratocaster wrote:
I realise I'm in the minority, but I just don't think The Who are that great.  I'm of the age that I should like them...but I don't.  I wish I did, though.

 
I agree and feel that way about much of Led Zeppelin's material.

Still fun to hear though.
 palatin8 wrote:
Thank you! Authentic document.

 
Lazarus wrote:

...  here is a photo that my dead best friend's younger brother's girlfriend took at a recent show ...

Who - Roger & Pete3 photo Who-RogerandPete3_zpsdb4680f1.jpg 

 

 

I think it is time for Roger to keep his shirt buttoned


 


I realise I'm in the minority, but I just don't think The Who are that great.  I'm of the age that I should like them...but I don't.  I wish I did, though.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Boy or boy...this band sure could use a drummer and a guitar player. Like some of the newer bands...Arcade Fire, Fall Out Boy,  Foo Fighters.

 
there are a lot of us who don't give a shit about things like that

The Stones and Led Zeppelin were always my favorite bands but I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the very first time I heard  Tommy, Who's Next and Quadrophenia.  I would say they were the most influential in my young life. 


 palatin8 wrote:
Thank you! Authentic document.

 
Lazarus wrote:

...  here is a photo that my dead best friend's younger brother's girlfriend took at a recent show ...

 

 

 




 
Lazarus, I hope your friends saw a better show than the one Pete and Roger put on at the Super Bowl. I love this band and yes they were an amazing live act (based on what I saw in "The Kids Are Alright") but wow those two looked tired during the halftime show. 

This is one of my favorite bits from Tommy, if that's any consolation.  
Boy or boy...this band sure could use a drummer and a guitar player. Like some of the newer bands...Arcade Fire, Fall Out Boy,  Foo Fighters.
Thank you! Authentic document.

 
Lazarus wrote:

...  here is a photo that my dead best friend's younger brother's girlfriend took at a recent show ...

Who - Roger & Pete3 photo Who-RogerandPete3_zpsdb4680f1.jpg 

 

 



meaty beaty big and bouncy...by cracky
Still, and forever, ahead of its time.
An opera, by mods.
Changed my life.
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Only a 7.4?  Holy Crap, has our deranged society gotten used to the crap music out there today? {#No} 

 

If it makes you feel any better, the mode and the median of the statistical sampling is 8.
Agree wholeheartedly! {#Guitarist}


 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Only a 7.4?  Holy Crap, has our deranged society gotten used to the crap music out there today? {#No} 

 


 LowPhreak wrote:
The 'Oooooo!!!
 
The Effin' Oooo!
The 'Oooooo!!!
Awesomeness.

The best song on the album. 

Love this music...  here is a photo that my dead best friend's younger brother's girlfriend took at a recent show, in Manchester, NH, on February 24—

Who - Roger & Pete3 photo Who-RogerandPete3_zpsdb4680f1.jpg 

 
Only a 7.4?  Holy Crap, has our deranged society gotten used to the crap music out there today? {#No} 
I love this comment...and agree!  I saw The Who twice, but passed on chances to see the Stones (although I would have loved to have seen or had the chances to see them during their "Some Girls" period or previous days...)  Almost no other band had the ability to generate movement, like some kind of kinetic engine capable of transporting entire audience halls, and couple it with mind-blowing articulations of anguished feelings common to the human experience, in such incredibly magnificent and lasting ways.  Pink Floyd was another, and I am glad I got to see them, too, but there was something so dynamic, so urgent, so poignant about The Who, and it still feels so good to hear them even now!
————-
creekgirl wrote:
When someone would ask me who I liked better, the Beatles or the Stones, I would say the Who.  
Check out the old YouTube concert videos!  Priceless.

When someone would ask me who I liked better, the Beatles or the Stones, I would say the Who.  
Check out the old YouTube concert videos!  Priceless.
 acidreflucks wrote:
Yes I was there...don't remember much about it of course...the Who arrived in a helicopter, Pete Townsend in a white jumpsuit, remember that.  It would be fun to see that 'video', wonder how I get to it ?  
Wait thought it was 1969
 
Might have been, I was going by the copyright date and what the cable company put in there info blurb.  I was 9 when it was filmed either way.
 Snoopy2 wrote:
half time for super bowl last year....not surprised!
 
I killed the audio through the whole game and just streamed RP and some local favorites. This one was right up there. 
Thankfully, there are alternatives to The Who.
 
The first rock and roll album I ever really listened to...the ending chords are so sweet. 
Say Daltry recent tour where they played this in entirety. Well done, his voice was strong and he had Simon Townsend with him to filled in on guitar and vocals for Pete. Not the Who but well done
tickets?
always WHO....

brilliant! crystalline! and.......the drumming


Unmatched...
Two record/CD album tells the profound story of Tommy with an important message for all of us to learn  {#Meditate}

Thank you Keith!
May God rest your soul in a special place!

{#Drummer} 
Always thought this sounded kind of wimpy, compared to the movie soundtrack's version, where it's fully at 11.
I have occasionally gone to fancy dress parties as Uncle Ernie. Is that bad?

I miss Keith. . . never met him but I feel I have a kindred spirit.  


What an album....what a year for music.Opened up a young man's eyes(and ears)!
long but god
 Toke wrote:
Oh Dear will this incur the wrath of 'stingray'  I can hear from this track why 'Townsend' went on to write the 'Tommy' Opera
 
hahahahahahahahahaha i like the whole 'stingray' thing.....funny
soooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooooood!
half time for super bowl last year....not surprised!
YES!

Keith Moon, hold my hand and let's take the Journey to Love....  
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Perhaps you'd prefer Cindy-Lou?
cindy lou who - how-the-grinch-stole-christmas photo
 
Cindy-Lou Who is getting up there these days; probably 35 years old by now.

EDIT:  According to Wikipedia, the animated movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" debuted in 1966.  If Cindy-Lou Who was 3 years old then, she'd be 48 years old at the end of the year 2011.  She'd still have those magnificent blue eyes.

Oh Dear will this incur the wrath of 'stingray'  I can hear from this track why 'Townsend' went on to write the 'Tommy' Opera

Hard to beat Moonie on the drums!  Manic, possessed, way out on and maybe sometimes well over the edge of kinetic mayhem...and so talented!  Daltrey said on a cool interview that when Keith came up to make his legendary substitution/ impromptu try-out, no one was really paying any attention, and then, "Suddenly, behind us, it sounded like a fahckin' JET ENGINE was takin' off or something!" and Moonie was hired on the spot.  Sparks fall from Heaven every time I hear you, Moonie! and you, too, Ox!
On October 12th my daughter and I saw Roger Daltrey performing the "Tommy" in Grand Prairie TX (Dallas). Great show!! He also played The Who's hits. Simon Townshend play very..very well, he honored his brother Pete. Great band.

 xtalman wrote:

Just watched the 1970 concert from the Isle of Wright over the weekend.

 


  Yes I was there...don't remember much about it of course...the Who arrived in a helicopter, Pete Townsend in a white jumpsuit, remember that.  It would be fun to see that 'video', wonder how I get to it ?  
Wait thought it was 1969


This is so much better than watching that movie!

Just watched the 1970 concert from the Isle of Wright over the weekend.

Forgot how much a a wild drummer Moon was.


 Alexandra wrote:
{#Headache} Please end, now. This is not my favorite kind of Who.

 
Perhaps you'd prefer Cindy-Lou?
cindy lou who - how-the-grinch-stole-christmas photo

{#Headache} Please end, now. This is not my favorite kind of Who.

 Ears_of_Stone wrote:

The character was based on Keith Richards of that other little band.

For myself, I prefer the angry Who over this.
  I agree and disagree regarding angry Who over this.  I love "angry Who" because so much gets said, and there's so much power in their vocals and music.  But some days, like this one, I can't get into a good place with "angry Who," and something like the current song just fits with my mood.

And thank you for clarifying regarding Johnny Depp's influence for his Jack Sparrow character.  Also - he and Keith Richards have a love of music, so I think Depp has a guitar that Richards wants... or something like that.  Ol' Keefer isn't as wasted as he looks (which, I guess, isn't saying much...)

...learn all you should know...
YES! 
8am on an autumn Sunday morning in suburban Melbourne .... Townshend and Moon on RP.... Godlike indeed....

thanks

Upon first listen in the late 60's I thought, "Rock Opera?  What pompous rockers dreamed that up?"  After several other listens, I began to see the complexity in rhythms, melodies, percussion and background noises, and paid attention to the lyrics.  It's now one of my favorite albums.  Mr. Entwhistle gets pretty funky during the Sparks transition.


The rhythm change over to Sparks is amazing. Way ahead of most of what you got in the late 60s.

Overall, however, I'd give it a 5.
Sparks an amazing journey — to the bathroom.  Yawn.
 johnjconn wrote:

This song doesn't belong in the boring 60's music era.
It's way ahead of it's time.


  

According to the song data above, it came out in 1996... I always suspected that there were time machines involved in 'The British Invasion'


 ColdBear wrote:
Tommy in 1996 ?
 
That's what I've just thought!

 drjimmy wrote:
The version from Live at Leeds is truly Godlike. This is merely Outstanding.
 
There you go !

{#Yes}

 Balthazar wrote:
This whole album is so pale compared to Tommy Soundtrack.
 
How surprising eh? 4 guys and a studio vs a full orchestrated soundtrack with guest voices.

From 1969 to 1975 we had to put up with this  "pale" to such an extent the 'tanned' version sounds  overblown and processed. 
I pretty sure there has never been or will be a more inventive rhythm section of Moon and Ox. RIP.   {#Drummer}   {#Bananajam}

The Who the soundtrack of my youth, gods of R&R .{#Cheers}
Tommy in 1996 ?
This whole album is so pale compared to Tommy Soundtrack.


 CoYoT51 wrote:
Buy you ears, and brain!
 
Don't need to be nasty. I said 'some' of their work. Not all of it.
 fredriley wrote:

...

A bit of trivia: I heard that Johnny Depp based his Jack Sparrow character, from Pirates of the Caribbean, on Keith Moon. Just thought you'd like to know that. Sure as feck is more interesting than the music.

 
The character was based on Keith Richards of that other little band.

For myself, I prefer the angry Who over this.


boy was that boring
and i'm usually a friendly guy 
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Awful. Some tunes just need to be put away for good.
 
Buy you ears, and brain!

 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Awful. Some tunes just need to be put away for good.
 
Right. This is the Who that I don't like. {#Snooty}
Awful. Some tunes just need to be put away for good.
 anabel wrote:

and is that a bad thing?

 
Yep. Who on, mute on, walk to tearoom. With luck if I take 10 minutes to brew my caffeine maintenance dose Daltry, Townsend and Moon might have quit it. Couldn't bear them in their pomp, still can't bear 'em.

A bit of trivia: I heard that Johnny Depp based his Jack Sparrow character, from Pirates of the Caribbean, on Keith Moon. Just thought you'd like to know that. Sure as feck is more interesting than the music.

crazy trip