A Quick One (Happy Jack)

Reissue of the British rock icon's sophomore album, originally issued in 1966. 20 tracks available for the first in digitally remastered stereo. Polydor.

The Who's second album is a mite inconsistent, not least because all four members were encouraged by a business deal to churn out songs. A Quick One nonetheless manages several Who classics, notably "A Quick One While He's Away," Pete Townshend's first longform (10 minutes) piece, and John Entwistle's licensed-to-ill "Whiskey Man" and "Boris the Spider." The band's sense of humor, however, gives way on rote pop tunes like Roger Daltrey's "See My Way." But CD bonus tracks like the great "Disguises" (included in a murkier mix than that on the 30 Years of Maximum R&B boxed set) and the Beach Boys tributes "Bucket T" and "Barbara Ann" are a distinct help. --Rickey Wright