The Who – Tommy [Stereo] (Abbey Road Studios Half-Speed Mastering Series Edition)

Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - Rated 190/500!

Regarded as one of the most important albums of all time, Tommy is a rock opera about a deaf, dumb, and blind boy, released in 1969; it reached #2 in the UK charts and #7 in the US.

The album contains songs such as "Pinball Wizard," "The Acid Queen," & "I'm Free." It has been mastered by longtime Who engineer Jon Astley from the original tapes and is packaged in an original sleeve with OBI and certificate of authenticity.

This black vinyl version is engineered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios using a half-speed mastering technique that produces a superior vinyl cut.

What is immediately interesting is the new version sounds like Tommy should sound, but it feels richer, rounder, and more robust than the original U.S. pressing I have. It feels warmer and more welcoming than the stereo version on my SACD. The new half-speed mastered Tommy sounds especially nice in the lows and mids, yet with natural highs. There is a good sense of dynamics that allows you to turn up the volume without everything falling apart, and things getting harsh... To that end, the related big question you may indeed be pondering is whether it is indeed worthwhile getting this reissue. If you are a deep Who fan - and of Tommy in particular - I would say absolutely yes! If you are like me - and, as I suspect for most American fans who own only a U.S. pressing - this new edition of Tommy is a significant improvement.