Quadrophenia is a stunningly good piece of work. That, along with a few of the early singles when the Who were new and had everything to prove, is the Who at their performance best and Townshend's writing at its best.

Tommy I can live without. I liked it in my teens, but over time it lost it's appeal for me. Though if I must listen to it I'd go for the original Who-only recording rather than the film version every time.

From the same time as Dark Side, there's Hawkwind's live Space Ritual. Not as classily or beautifully recorded but for me it pushes boundaries and ideas far more than Dark Side, still sounds fresh and is yer actual (space) rock music as well. And a set only ever performed on the original tour, which I was far too young to see, and one other time 40 years on when Dave Brock agreed to do it with the then current Hawkwind lineup as a one-off fund-raising performance for animal charities in 2014, which I was lucky enough to see.

(Uh oh!  Hawkwind's Space Ritual was mentioned!  Cue Pedro!  LOL!  )

batsbrew
for me, the whole band was a genius on this album...
but what makes it special for me, is Richard Wright.

+1 Gig in the Sky!

dmbaer
Absolutely (assuming you *are* talking about listening to the surround mix).  This is without any doubt the most spectacular surround recording I have ever heard.  Tastefully done yet full of delightful surround surprises.


However, do not waste your hard earned cash on the surround mix of Wish You Were Here.  That one, I am convinced, was made from a 2-channel master and the surround effects are lame, limited and highly disappointing.  Given I shelled out something like 35 bucks because I wanted another Pink Floyd surround SACD, I'm not at all a happy camper.

Yes, the surround mix!  It is mesmerizing.  Try it with all the lights out and without any distractions!
That is the only SACD I have so I can't compare it to any others.  Any other recommendations?
 

patm300e
Yes, the surround mix!  It is mesmerizing.  Try it with all the lights out and without any distractions!
That is the only SACD I have so I can't compare it to any others.  Any other recommendations?

Any of the earlier Genesis surround mixes is extremely well done (I'm talking about earliest ablbums through Wind and Wuthering, but maybe albums after that also have merit).  Most highly recommended.  Some of mine are SACD and some are DVD-Audio, but either format sounds spectacular and the utilization of the surround format is both tasteful and exciting.
 
Believe it or not, Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a masterful example of remixing for surround.
 
The Who's Tommy surround remix is pretty spectacular - I'd rather have a surround mix of Quadrophenia, but them's the breaks.
 
I would love to hear the surround remixes of early Jethro Tull albums (done by Steven Wilson), but they are only available in over-priced deluxe editions (2 CDs and 2 DVDs).  If I could get just the one SACD or DVD, I'd jump on it.

Anyone heard the Steven Wilson remix of In the Court of the Crimson King?
 
It's a 2-disc set that includes alternate versions and 5.1 mixes, even a karaoke mix. There have been a couple remasters previously, but this is the first time it's been remixed from the original 8-track tapes. I'm tempted, even though I don't have the means to play back surround.

Listening to DSOTM right now, having breakfast and starting to work.  Beautiful album...
 
BD 770s, over-ear cups, curly cord...  all i need is a smoke* and I'm THERE!
 
 
 
*no smoke for me anymore, I'll have to settle for a 2nd coffee

bitflipper
Anyone heard the Steven Wilson remix of In the Court of the Crimson King?
 
It's a 2-disc set that includes alternate versions and 5.1 mixes, even a karaoke mix. There have been a couple remasters previously, but this is the first time it's been remixed from the original 8-track tapes. I'm tempted, even though I don't have the means to play back surround.

Got it. IMHO its worth it for the stereo mixes on the CD alone which are considerably better than the remastered CD I have.
 
I don't have a full 5.1 system but I can play the DVD via the sound bar I have with the TV. On this system I am not hearing a great deal of difference and of course I cannot comment on the effectivness of the surround mix.