WHO ARE YOU – An All-Star Tribute To The Who (2012)

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Cleopatra Records are famous for their tribute albums, sometimes hitting the mark and other times making one wonder what they were thinking.

Lately, however, they have been hitting home runs every time they step up to the plate.

Their newest effort “Who Are You – An All Star Tribute to the Who”, sees them taking on the best of the Who, one of the greatest bands to ever grace the stage.

What makes this one work so well is the mix of performers that appear on the album.

Each song is true to the original, yet each artist really lays down their original stamp on each tune. Each performer also respects the band and is a fan of their music. There is no going through the motions here at all.

Just check out the names involved: Brad Gillis of Night Ranger, Dave Davies from The Kinks, John Wetton of Asia, KK Downing of Judas Priest fame, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot, Ian Paice, Carmine Appice, Joe Lynn Turner and many, many more.

From start to finish there is not a dull moment. The album opens with “Eminence Front” featuring Wetton, Downing and Sherinian, all in a compact performance.

English Prog rockers Nektar take on “Baba O’Riley” while Mark Lindsay and MC5’s Wayne Kramer kick out the jams big time on “I Can See for Miles”.

Todd Rundgren is just a damn cool dude and his version of “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere” is one of the shining moments on the tribute.

“Who Are You” features Country superstar Gretchen Wilson with Bachman Turner Overdrive’s Randy Bachman. This is one of the best cover on the CD as Gretchen makes this song hers, with a personal touch. She may be on the Country charts but deep down this girl wants to rock. She takes off her boots and hat and delivers a performance worthy of leather and studs.

The other track that is over the top outstanding is “The Seeker” with Joe Lynn Turner delivering the vocal goods while Leslie West bashes out a killer guitar.

At the end of the day, The Who are done proud by this cast of superstars.

“Who Are You – An All Star Tribute to the Who” is a good one from start to finish.

1. Eminence Front

John Wetton (Asia), K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Derek Sherinian

2. Baba O’Riley

Nektar, Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

3. I Can See For Miles

Mark Lindsay (The Raiders), Wayne Kramer (MC5)

4. Love Reign O’er Me

Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), R. Wakeman, H. Lloyd-Langton, Carmine Appice

5. My Generation

Knox (The Vibrators), Dave Davies (The Kinks), Rat Scabies (The Damned)

6. The Kids Are Alright

The Raveonettes

7. Won’t Get Fooled Again

The Sweet

8. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere

Todd Rundgren, Carmine Appice

9. I Can’t Explain

Iggy Pop

10. Behind Blue Eyes

Pat Travers

11. Magic Bus

Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits), Peter Banks (Yes), Ginger Baker (Cream)

12. Who Are You

Gretchen Wilson, Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)

13. Pinball Wizard

Terry Reid, Mike Pinera (Blues Image), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)

14. Squeeze Box

John Wesley (Porcupine Tree), David Cross (King Crimson)

15. Bargain

38 Special, Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash), Ian Paice (Deep Purple)

16. The Seeker

Joe Lynn Turner, Leslie West (Mountain)

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