Backtrack 1

• Artist: The Who
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1970
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Retailing at a penny under a pound, the Track Records label debuted the Backtrack series in 1970, as the label itself entered what would become its darker days -- the Who alone remained consistent hitmakers on the company roster, and the days when a new Track record was regarded as something of a major event were already receding into the past. Hence this flagship compilation drawn from the label's true glory days: Backtrack 1 compiles a dozen 45s from the 1967-69 heyday, laden down with sufficient hits (Jimi Hendrix and the Who, naturally) to intrigue the casual shopper, but bristling with enough rarities to assure a more specialist audience as well. Indeed, for any modern collector looking to assemble a Track collection, such Backtrack mixed bags as this serve up a (relatively) inexpensive way of securing some supremely scarce 45s. Marsha Hunt, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, John's Children, individually and collectively, are all present as is vocalist Andy Ellison's first solo single, while Hendrix protégés Eire Apparent round up the comparatively lesser-known names here, but also leave you wondering how they ever deserved such an appellation. It is, after all, one of the greatest mysteries in music how Brown failed to enlarge on the success of his "Fire" hit, and the scintillating "Devil's Grip" offers no clues. John's Children's "Desdemona," meanwhile, is now regarded with such wide-ranging affection that it seems difficult to believe it never scored during its own lifetime. . .but listen carefully, and you will discover why. Prudish British radio took exception to the lyric "lift up your skirt and fly..." -- why, one cannot imagine. The band did record a cleaned-up version, substituting the offending line with an innocuous "why do you have to lie," but the damage was done. But it is Eire Apparent's "Follow Me" that crowns this collection, a magnificent singalong that will hook itself into your head for days. And, as you reel from such a brilliant assault, you will have no choice but to seek out further Backtrack volumes. One down, 13 to go....~ Dave Thompson, Rovi

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