My Generation (Live at Leeds) Isolated - Bass (50th Anniversary of The Who's performance at Leeds)

YouTube ^ | September 25, 2009 | thankyoupourlavideo

[DoodleBob]

This is John Entwistle's isolated bass track (with the rest of The Who faintly in the background) in the beginning and end section of the Live at Leeds version of My Generation.

[DoodleBob]

As a continuation of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Who's performance on Live at Leeds, I am presenting this link to the audio of John's bass on the Leeds version of My Generation.

Please note this is only the first 2:50 and final section of the Leeds version of My Generation; the entire Leeds version runs 16+ mins long, and is basically a medley of Naked Eye, See Me, Feel Me, Overture/Captain Walker Didn't Come Home, Sparks, and other bits. You can listen to all of the Leeds soundboard/bootleg of My Generation here.

There are other isolated tracks from Leeds on YouTube, but John's tone and attack (and, of course, playing) on this clip are astounding.

This is John in action that night, February 14, 1970.

Best. Bass. Player. Ever.

[DoodleBob]

Ping

[DAC21]

Thanks for posting, will BM for tomorrow when I can stream it to decent speakers

[atc23]

Best rock album of All Time. I’ve worn out the vinyls and cassettes. Nowadays, it’s difficult to wear out downloads. I like this with headphones and the volume at about 11

[dfwgator]

I go back and forth between him and Chris Squire. I’ll just leave it at both were great, and are sorely missed.

[Viking2002]

One of the big attributes of Entwistle’s style of playing was that he played the bass like it was lead guitar. A good example is during the chorus of Eminence Front. I remember when that was released, I thought to myself, ‘Did I just hear what I thought I heard?’ He was definitely one of the GOAT on four strings.

[Lurker]

Prakash John is up there.

L

[dfwgator]

John looked better in the skeleton outfit he wore at Isle of Wight.

[DoodleBob]

There was a super-deluxe edition of Leeds sold a few years ago, where they included Live at Hull (which was recorded a few day after Leeds but the bass somehow didn't get recorded on all of the songs; they mixed it with the Leeds bass). Give it a whirl.

[DoodleBob]

[krogers58]

It's my humble opinion that the who's rendition of Young Man's Blues, is by far their best guitar jam, which they played at the Isle of Wight, and at Leeds. Here's the version from Leeds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YR6w9hyVBA

[DoodleBob]

I was lucky enough to see him live a number of times. His solo on the 1984 tour was the best bass solo I ever saw live. He was also epic - and back in the day he wore a CAPE!

[dfwgator]

The Isle of Wight Young Man Blues blew away the Live at Leeds version.

[dfwgator]

Nobody could touch The Who live in 1970.

[dfwgator]

The other reason that Isle of Wight was better, was by then they had added two of their best songs: “Water” and “I Don’t Even Know Myself”.

[DoodleBob]

The best visual part of that performance of YMB is at 1:20 when Moon bounces his stick off the snare and catches it. dfwgator is very fond of the IOW YMB performance - that whole show is bitchin’ and stands the test of time. My personal fav from that show is Water.

[Bullish]

Really kind of a boring bass line if you ask me. Oh, and I’ve been playing bass professionally for many years, including covering this song.

[DAC21]

Yep. The Who were were on top of there game in 69/70, very tight. 1968 as well as evidenced by their legendary performance of A Quick One on the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus movie which was OFFICIALLY not released until 1996 except for the Who’s performance.

On Feb.15TH 1970 the day after the Leeds gig they played Hull City Center which was recorded as well. When the Who and Engineers went into the Studio to go through there live recordings for the new LP they found that John’s Bass track was missing from the Hull recording....bad patch cord....who knows. The Hull tapes were tossed into a box never to see the light of day. Leeds was a clean recording and the rest is history.....or was it?

Fast forward 40 years or so and someone finds the old Hull master tapes and for $hits and giggles plays them.....low and behold John’s Bass track is only missing from the first three tracks.

So getting back to my original point of how tight the band was playing at this time. The sound Engineers were able to drop in John’s Bass track for the first three songs from the Leeds gig in order to have a complete Hull gig which was release in 2012 as... wait for it......Live at Hull. Very powerful in itself.

You probably knew this but many others may not.

[DoodleBob]

If you want to totally geek out on Leeds (recording equipment, gear, etc) you can check out the Live at Leeds page on thewho.net.

This was their setup that night:

[Viking2002]

Dang. I can damn near picture Moon behind the drum kit. Ever check out the Daltrey/Wilko Johnson album they released together a few years back?