27 Oct 2023
Quadrophenia at 50: In Dolby Atmos & Half-Speed Master
We’re delighted to announce that The Who’s Quadrophenia is released today, on its 50th anniversary, available to stream in Dolby Atmos. The album was mixed for Dolby Atmos by Richard Whittaker and Bob Pridden at Starboard Audio and sounds truly amazing.
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by The Who, released in the US on 27th October 1973 and in the UK on 2nd November 1973. The band’s third rock opera, often regarded by many as The Who’s best album, features songs ‘The Real Me’, ‘5.15’ and the epic ‘Love Reign O’er Me’. Delve into the complex story of Jimmy Cooper, a Mod coming to terms with life head on.
Richard Whittaker says . . .
“Quadrophenia was mixed in Dolby Atmos at my studio which was one of the first batch of Dolby Atmos (Music) Accredited Studios in the UK. I’ve actually been involved in surround sound and ambisonics for over 25 years. When I began studying ambisonics at York University all those years back I had absolutely no clue that one day I’d be fortunate enough to be knee deep at the forefront of a cutting edge audio technological surround sound revolution!
Anyway, as I’m sure you’re aware, Quadrophenia has had many versions and mixes released throughout its history. With the Dolby Atmos mix, Bob and I wanted to capture the essence of the original 1973 release mixed by Pete Townshend and Ron Nevison but also utilise aspects of other versions such as the 1990s remix by Andy Macpherson and Jon Astley and also the 5.1 version that Bob and I mixed ten years or so ago.
Mixing the album in Dolby Atmos was quite a challenge as it’s pretty much a continuous piece of music. In order to faithfully recreate this, with the current technical restraints within the mixing process of Dolby Atmos (for example, ADM cross fades currently impossible), the whole album had to be mixed in one enormous Dolby Atmos Pro Tools session. The individual songs were then edited/ID’d during the Dolby Atmos Mastering process.”
To experience The Who’s Quadrophenia in Dolby Atmos follow this link: QUADROPHENIA Dolby Atmos
The 2nd February 2024 sees Quadrophenia released on 180-gram double black vinyl LPs from masters cut by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge and half-speed vinyl masters cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. The double album is packaged in its original gatefold sleeve complete with the 44-page booklet, obi and certificate of authenticity.
PRE-ORDER QUADROPHENIA HALF-SPEED MASTER
TRACK LIST
LP ONE
SIDE ONE
I Am the Sea
The Real Me
Quadrophenia
Cut My Hair
The Punk and The Godfather
SIDE TWO
I’m One
The Dirty Jobs
Helpless Dancer (Roger’s Theme)
Is It in My Head
I’ve Had Enough
LP TWO
SIDE THREE
5:15
Sea and Sand
Drowned
Bell Boy (Keith’s Theme)
SIDE FOUR
Doctor Jimmy (John’s Theme)
The Rock
Love, Reign O’er Me (Pete’s Theme)
Yes, One of the great albums, to take to the moon.Ive made many trips to Brighton and surroundings, Imagining the Era of this setting. Good for your brain, a true classic. Thank you!
I’m lucky enough to have the original album with book in side the 1st albume I ever had and still my favourite. Awsume.
I simply have to ask so I can begin to understand, but why on earth is the album cheaper to purchase in the United States than it is in the country that produced it, the UK?
Because each country, each state, each record store chain are free to set their own retail prices.
Just ordered this..Love Quadrophenia.
I must have about 6 copies of this..
Was excited to hear about the release…This record changed my life.
This album changed my life. Pete is a genius. Roger was the voice. John playing lead on 515 is amazing. And Keith kept it all together.
When is the physical Atmos release happening? No mention of that. Hopefully it will be a standalone and not a part of a $300 box set.
Sheer class got the album when it came out in 73 Some of the tracks are just brilliant This album stands up their with all the other classic albums The master of the studio Pete Townshend
11-20-1973 50 Years Ago Today The legendary Who Concert at the Cow Palace near San Francisco when Keith Moon took animal tranquilizers & then, shortly after, collapsed on his drums and was carried
carried off stage.
The price of the Who’s Next edition has just been reduced considerably.
This is both exciting and frustrating news. My all-time favorite who album and the only way to listen to its updated mix is via a streaming service? Why not release a blu-ray the way Dark Side of the Moon was recently done? Include the original stereo mix, 5.1 mix, and the new Atmos mix? Nothing too fancy or big box needed, just a single disc that gives each fan the flavor that they want?
I’m hoping this will happen and they just haven’t worked out the details yet. Would be a loss to fans if they don’t.
Dolby Atmos on disc please and not in box set…I have the Directors Cut, lifehouse chronicles, cd’s, 5.1 mix and vinyl etc etc so don’t want to shell out for yet another box set.
Is the Atmos only and exclusively on Apple? Will it also come to Tidal?
It’s not exclusive to Apple and is on several other streaming services.
How about. 5.1 blu ray release?