Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy has the distinction of being the first in a long line of Who compilations. It also has the distinction of being the best. Part of the reason why it is so successful is that it has an actual purpose. Meaty was designed as a collection of the group's singles, many of which never appeared on albums. The Who recorded their share of great albums during the '60s, but condensing their highlights to just the singles is an electrifying experience. "The Kids Are Alright" follows "I Can't Explain," "I Can See for Miles" bleeds into "Pictures of Lily" and "My Generation," "Magic Bus" gives way to "Substitute" and "I'm a Boy" -- it's an extraordinary line up, and each song builds on its predecessor's power. Since it was released prior to Who's Next, it contains none of the group's album rock hits, but that's for the best -- their '60s singles have a kinetic, frenzied power that the louder, harder AOR cuts simply couldn't touch. Also, there is such a distinct change in sound with Who's Next that the two eras don't quite sound right on one greatest-hits collection, as My Generation and Who's Better, Who's Best proved. By concentrating on the early years -- when the Who were fresh and Pete Townshend was developing his own song writing identity -- Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy is musically unified and incredibly powerful. This is what the Who sounded like when they were a great band. Stephen Thomas Erlewine AMG.
Track listing:
A1. I Can't Explain
A2. The Kids Are Alright
A3. Happy Jack
A4. I Can See For Miles
A5. Pictures of Lily
A6. My Generation
A7. The Seeker
B1. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
B2. Pinball Wizard
B3. Legal Matter
B4. Boris The Spider
B5. Magic Bus
B6. Substitute
B7. I'm A Boy
Bonus from Track mono single 604023 (1968):
C1. Dogs
D1. Call Me Lightning
Produced by Kit Lambert except
A1, A2, A6, B1 & B3 produced by Shel Talmy.