Bootleg Review: The Who’s Who Put A Better Boot In 1976 (1999)

THE WHO
Who Put A Better Boot In 1976
(Shagadelic Productions, 68:04 min)

SOUND QUALITY: Good to Very Good soundboard (7-8), little noise and very few drop-outs. The sound is a little hollow in places but otherwise a very good recording of this old chestnut.

COVER: Front of four-color, four-panel insert has a slightly washed out copy of the famous photo of Keith Moon as a hotel bellhop, holding a tray with a couple of beer bottles and a glass, a manic look on his face. The rear of the insert has a reproduction of the original tour concert poster for this show along with smaller photos of Roger Daltrey and Peter Townshend. Inside of insert shows various photos of the band, including a notorious nude shot of Moonie. Back of CD has a live shot of Townshend and Daltrey and song listing.

TRACKLIST: Amazing Journey/ Sparks/ Acid Queen/ Fiddle About/ Pinball Wizard/ I’m Free/ How Can We Follow/ Baba O’Riley/ Squeeze Box/ Behind Blue Eyes/ Dreaming From The Waist/ My Wife/ Summertime Blues/ My Generation Jam: Talking About It, Join Together, My Generation, Blues Guitar Interlude/ Won’t Get Fooled Again

COMMENTS: This isn’t the first time that this classic Who show has been bootlegged, not even the first time on CD, but it may well be the best. Recorded live at the Swansea Festival in England on June 12, 1976, this Shagadelic release of this show is longer and of better sound quality than the scratchy old vinyl version that I’ve kept all these years. One of the reasons that it’s so popular with hard-core Who fans and music lovers in general is the overall dynamic quality of the band’s performance. Running through an energetic set that reads like a literal “greatest hits” compilation, the Who rip, rage and rock through performances of such favorites as “Pinball Wizard,” “Squeeze Box,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” among others.

It’s a memorable set, showcasing one of rock’s greatest bands playing at the top of their game and performing admirably in their own backyard. The later death of Keith Moon would change the sound and power of the band – they would become slicker and more professional as the 1970s gave way into the ’80s, but they’d never be the same again. Who Put A Better Boot In 1976 captures the Who in their full glory; it’s a must-have disc for Who fans. (Shagadelic Productions, released 1999)

Review originally published by Live! Music Review