Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out

Amazon.com
No one would have seen this coming, but it's as natural as loving a great album can be. Petra Haden renders the classic album, The Who Sell Out, in its entirety -- fake commercials and all -- and she does it a capella. She has a voice and sensibilities to make this work as she performs both the lyrics and components from the Who's instrumental tracks. It is the latter which is particularly affecting, her choices addressing how many fans of the original album would also identify a song's key characteristics. Townshend's guitar parts in particular are sung with virtuosity and unmistakable glee. Far from being a mere stunt, this set works on its own as well as giving one pause, reconsidering the original work in a new light. --David Greenberger

Product Description
One of the triplet daughters of legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden, Petra grew up in a world of music. At a young age, she developed a remarkable talent to perfectly mimick the sounds of instruments she was hearing around the house from Captain Kagaroo to the Cocteau Twins. She developed complex arrangements in her head and could interpret all sorts of songs. Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out is the latest chapter in the always provocative, often unpredictable yet never less than fascinating musical career of Ms. Haden. The impetus for the project came from her friend, bassist mike watt, who suggested that she attempt to re-imagine this classic Who album as an a capella tour de force (this at least a year before any news of Bjork’s Medulla leaked to the press). He gave her an 8 track cassette tape with the original Who album recorded onto one track and the other seven empty, for her to fill with intricate vocal harmonies reinventing not only all The Who’s singing and instrumental parts – including drums – she also recorded all the mock radio commercials so integral to The Who Sell Out experience. The final result is a technical tour de force that highlights The Who’s own achievement, bringing all the elements of chorale music, vaudevillian schmaltz and Renaissance chamber ensemble playing powerfully to the fore.

Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out,Petra Haden,Bar None Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

---

Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out

Average customer rating: not so hot. Petra Haden sings Who Sell Out Nice Tribute to a Classic Album Wonderful rendition of the Who Initially Speechless

Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out Petra Haden Manufacturer: Bar/None Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Petra Haden & Bill Frisell The Who Sell Out Quick One (Happy Jack) Wire & Glass Under the Covers, Vol. 1 ASIN: B00075149Y Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

1. Armenia City In The Sky
2. Heinz Baked Beans
3. Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand
4. Odorono
5. Tattoo
6. Our Love Was
7. I Can See For Miles
8. I Can't Reach You
9. Medac
10. Relax
11. Silas Stingy
12. Sunrise
13. Rael

Amazon.com

No one would have seen this coming, but it's as natural as loving a great album can be. Petra Haden renders the classic album, The Who Sell Out, in its entirety -- fake commercials and all -- and she does it a capella. She has a voice and sensibilities to make this work as she performs both the lyrics and components from the Who's instrumental tracks. It is the latter which is particularly affecting, her choices addressing how many fans of the original album would also identify a song's key characteristics. Townshend's guitar parts in particular are sung with virtuosity and unmistakable glee. Far from being a mere stunt, this set works on its own as well as giving one pause, reconsidering the original work in a new light. --David Greenberger

Album Description

One of the triplet daughters of legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden, Petra grew up in a world of music. At a young age, she developed a remarkable talent to perfectly mimick the sounds of instruments she was hearing around the house from Captain Kagaroo to the Cocteau Twins. She developed complex arrangements in her head and could interpret all sorts of songs. Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out is the latest chapter in the always provocative, often unpredictable yet never less than fascinating musical career of Ms. Haden. The impetus for the project came from her friend, bassist mike watt, who suggested that she attempt to re-imagine this classic Who album as an a capella tour de force (this at least a year before any news of Bjork's Medulla leaked to the press). He gave her an 8 track cassette tape with the original Who album recorded onto one track and the other seven empty, for her to fill with intricate vocal harmonies reinventing not only all The Who's singing and instrumental parts - including drums - she also recorded all the mock radio commercials so integral to The Who Sell Out experience. The final result is a technical tour de force that highlights The Who's own achievement, bringing all the elements of chorale music, vaudevillian schmaltz and Renaissance chamber ensemble playing powerfully to the fore.

Customer Reviews:

not so hot........2006-08-17

this is just another chick with no original songs of her own trying to ride on the coatails of a great band. a few songs were ok sounding but in all it's a weak attempt at a classic who lp. it also figures that this is the daughter of a famous composer. these people usually are related to someone in the biz who can easily get them studio time instead of a true talented unknown who will never get opportunities like this.

Petra Haden sings Who Sell Out.......2006-08-15

Sell Out is my favourite album by The Who so it was fascinating to hear an acapella version . This is truly brilliant. Hats off to Petra!

Nice Tribute to a Classic Album.......2006-03-16

Sell Out was one of the first Who albums I got 25 years ago and have loved it since. It's still my favorite of the lot. I read about this album on Pete Townshend's site and decided to give it a try. The samples here don't do most of the tracks justice and this sounds like a very well-studied tribute to the original Sell Out. In fact, I found myself filling in the parts that were missing while I was listening to it in the car. Which brings up a point... Yes, there are some parts that were dropped (like the final "Heinz Baked Beans" tag on that track and the subdued intro for "I Can See For Miles"), but I supposed when you record 9 or 10 vocal tracks yourself, it's hard to remember everything.

I can see how some of the fans of mainstream a capella music would be disappointed. I would imagine that this would appeal more to fans of Todd Rundgren's "A Capella" album than to fans of Take 6 or any of those groups. Luckily, I fit into the former category.

Wonderful rendition of the Who.......2006-02-17

Excellent A Capella version of the old favorites. Petra's voice brings a new verve to both the dated and the old favorites.

Her "percussion" backing is effective, although not up to the standards of "The Wise Guys", "Die Prinzen" or "Les Swingle Singers". But these groups have years of experience at being human percussion.

Initially Speechless.......2005-11-17

Received a taped copy across a bar from a friend in an unmarked brown envelope saying "You'll understand". Played it and
yes I do! As a Who fan and fan of the unusual this is FANTASTIC, even forked out for my own copy !........ enjoy !

Rap Music:

1. Platinum Collection [Import]
2. Purple Onion
3. Racine
4. Return the Gift [Limited Edition] [Import]
5. Sackcloth 'n' Ashes
6. Sleepless
7. Sling Blade: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture [Soundtrack]
8. Slow Rewind
9. So Sudden
10. Soma Holiday

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Ray Clarke Progessive Challang

though love be a day / American Celebration Duo

Vol. 1: 1944-1946

Music: Christmas with Glen Campbell

Work Done on Premises [Live]

True Stories

Women of Faith: Women of Faith Gospel

Under the Flesh [Explicit Lyrics]

Vamos Dar a Volta No Guetho: Ao Vivo [Live] [Import]

Verdi: Nabucco / Manuguerra, Luchetti, Ghiaurov, Scotto, Obraztsova; Muti

View from Afar

Vagabond

Vicious Circle [CD-single] [Import]

School Days

Blackcurrent Jazz