A Quick One

About

"A Quick One" is the second studio album by the English rock band The Who, released on 9 December 1966. In the United State, where the song "Happy Jack" reached the top 40, the album was released in April 1967 under the title "Happy Jack" with a modified track listing. Unlike the band's debut, "My Generation", where guitarist Pete Townshend was the primary songwriter, "A Quick One" includes songwriting contributions from all members of The Who. Lead vocalist Roger Daltrey contributed one song, while bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon each contributed two. The album also includes a cover of the Holland–Dozier–Holland song "Heat Wave" and concludes with the suite "A Quick One, While He's Away", an early example of the extended narrative structures the band would later develop further in works such as "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia". The album marked a stylistic shift away from the R&B focus of the band's debut. At the time, the band's management arranged a publishing deal that provided advances to band members in exchange for songwriting contribution, which encouraged each member to submit material. Roger Daltrey contributed one song, "See My Way". Pete Townshend later stated that the emphasis on broader contributions resulted in the exclusion of recent singles he had written, including "I'm a Boy" and "Happy Jack". Because the other members were relatively inexperienced as songwriter, Townshend also assisted in developing and demoing their material. Recording took place in London during the autumn of 1966 at IBC Studio, Pye Studio, and Regent Sound, with Kit Lambert serving as producer. During sessions in October, Chas Chandler introduced Jimi Hendrix to members of The Who. Hendrix, newly arrived in London, sought advice on amplification equipment, and Townshend recommended Hiwatt and Marshall amplifier. The opening track, "Run Run Run", had been demoed earlier in the year and previously recorded by another band, The Cat, whose version was released in May 1966. The Who's version was recorded in October 1966. A longer stereo version later appeared on a 1995 expanded CD reissue. "Boris the Spider", written by John Entwistle, originated from a humorous exchange involving Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stone. Entwistle completed the song shortly before recording in October 1966 at Pye Studio. It became one of his best-known compositions and remained part of The Who's live repertoire for many year. Keith Moon's "I Need You" was originally titled "I Need You (Like I Need a Hole in the Head)". The song includes spoken and sound effects elements and was recorded alongside "Boris the Spider". The track references contemporary popular culture and includes studio effects intended to evoke a nightclub environment. "Whiskey Man", written by John Entwistle, was his first completed composition. The song describes a narrative centred on alcohol dependency and imagined companionship. It was recorded at CBS Studios on 3 October 1966. An audible lyrical slip in the recording was addressed through vocal overdubbing rather than re-recording the take. "Heat Wave" is the album's only cover version, originally recorded by Martha and the Vandellas and written by Holland–Dozier–Holland. The Who recorded it in August 1966. It was replaced by "Happy Jack" on the original US release and later restored on some reissue. "Cobwebs and Strange", originally titled "Showbiz Sonata", is an instrumental track incorporating multiple wind instruments played by band member. It was recorded prior to late September 1966. Each member contributed a different brass or woodwind instrument during the session. "Don't Look Away" is one of the tracks written by Pete Townshend and opens the second side of the album. It was recorded in early October 1966. "See My Way", written by Roger Daltrey, is stylistically influenced by 1950s rock and roll. Townshend assisted in preparing a demo version, with additional recording completed at IBC Studio. The drum parts were modified using makeshift damping techniques to alter the sound. "So Sad About Us" is a pop-oriented track by Pete Townshend that has been widely covered by other artist. The Who recorded it at IBC Studios in October 1966. "A Quick One, While He's Away" is a multi-part suite consisting of six connected sections: "Her Man's Gone", "Crying Town", "We Have A Remedy", "Ivor The Engine Driver", "Soon Be Home", and "You Are Forgiven". The narrative concerns themes of infidelity and reconciliation. It was recorded across several London studios in late 1966 and represents one of the band's early experiments with extended compositional form. Additional material recorded during the sessions included tracks such as "Barbara Ann", "Batman", and "Bucket T.", as well as alternate versions of "Happy Jack" and other unreleased recording. Some of this material later appeared on extended reissues and compilation album. The album cover was designed by Alan Aldridge. The artwork depicts the band members alongside visual representations of song title. The UK back cover includes photographs of the band members and track information, while the US edition features a different design with additional descriptive text. "A Quick One" was released in the UK on 9 December 1966 and reached number 4 on the UK album chart. In the United State, released as "Happy Jack" in April 1967, the album reached number 67 on the Billboard album chart. .

via Last.fm

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