The Who are set to release a director’s cut edition of their classic album ‘Quadrophenia’.
Released in 1973, ‘Quadrophenia’ stands as a defining British rock album. A concept album, it found The Who dwelling on their origins as Mod idols to dissect teenage angst, mental illness and more.
A lengthy and ambitious work, ‘Quadrophenia’ was designed to reflect the four different personalities which made up The Who.
With its fold out sleeve the album helped to re-ignite interest in the Mod cult. Later turned into a suitably iconic film, ‘Quadrophenia’ will be re-visited by The Who in a lavish tour which kick starts next year.
Now the British rockers have revealed that they are planning to release a Director’s Cut of the seminal album. Pete Townshend will oversee the process, which will result in the definitive edition of the album.
Set to contain numerous rarities, the box set will be released by Universal Music Catalogue on November 14th. The Director’s Cut edition will feature a re-master of the original double album, Pete Townshend’s previously unheard demos including songs that didn’t make it onto the original album, an exclusive eight track 5.1 sound DVD, a deluxe hard-back book, previously unseen personal notes, photographs, memorabilia and other exclusive material… Phew!
Issuing a short statement, the guitarist explained that the new edition of the album was inspired by the continuing devotion of fans. “This 2011 revisit to The Who’s 1973 Quadrophenia recording is inspired by current and continuing interest in the project,” explained Townshend.
“The Who performed a concert version of the piece at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 for the Teenage Cancer Trust with excellent reviews, and the success of that event led to the prospect of a Who tour in 2012 based on the album. The last such tour was between 1996-1997.”
The Who are set to re-issue ‘Quadrophenia’ on November 14th.
