By Ken Paulson —
Tribute albums can be wildly uneven, but the new Who celebration from Cleopatra Records boasts 16 strong tracks from a virtual encyclopedia of pop and progressive rock.
Who Are You: An All-Star Tribute to the Who has the feel of a fanboy project that came out remarkably well. At some point, someone said, “Hey, how about if we pull together members of the Kinks, the Vibrators and the Damned and ask them to do “My Generation?” Or how about Carmine Appice and Todd Rundgren on “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere?”
Who Are You boasts solid, if largely faithful, renditions of some of the Who’s great material. What truly sets it apart is the amazing combination of artists, many of whom have not released new material in some time.
It’s a treat to hear Peter Noone (who toured with the Who when they opened for Herman’s Hermits) sing “Magic Bus,” joined by Ginger Baker of Cream and Peter Banks of Yes.
And who could have imagined teaming Paul Revere and the Raiders’ lead singer Mark Lindsay with the MC5’s Wayne Kramer on “I Can See for Miles?”
The oddest coupling is country artist Gretchen Wilson with Randy Bachman on the title song, but they absolutely pull it off.
The album is like fantasy baseball for record geeks, fun and surprising throughout.
The track listing:
1. Eminence Front – John Wetton (Asia) • K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) • Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) 2. Baba O’Riley – Nektar • Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra) 3. I Can See For Miles – Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere & The Raiders) • Wayne Kramer (MC5) 4. Love Reign O’er Me – Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) • Rick Wakeman (Yes) • Huw Lloyd-Langton (Hawkwind) • Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) 5. My Generation – Knox (The Vibrators) • Dave Davies (The Kinks) • Rat Scabies (The Damned) 6. The Kids Are Alright – The Raveonettes 7. Won’t Get Fooled Again – Sweet 8. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere – Todd Rundgren • Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) 9. I Can’t Explain – Iggy Pop 10. Behind Blue Eyes – Pat Travers 11. Magic Bus – Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) • Peter Banks (Yes) • Ginger Baker (Cream) 12. Who Are You – Gretchen Wilson • Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) 13. Pinball Wizard – Terry Reid • Mike Pinera (Blues Image) • Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) 14. Squeeze Box – John Wesley (Porcupine Tree) • David Cross (King Crimson) 15. Bargain – 38 Special • Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash) • Ian Paice (Deep Purple) 16. The Seeker – Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) • Leslie West (Mountain)
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