Personnel: Pete Townshend (vocals, various instruments); Ronnie Lane, Billie Nichols (vocals, guitar).
Recorded at Eel Pie Sound, London, England.
Personnel includes: Pete Townshend, Ronnie Lane.
This special edition includes a hardcover book/CD package which contains original artwork, extensive liner notes by Ira Robbins and an article by Pete Townshend.
One of the more introspective and spiritual albums of Who leader Pete Townshend's solo career came at a time when the Who's rock & roll was shaking the earth. WHO CAME FIRST is centered on Townshend's quest for spiritual enlightenment, in this case through the teachings of the famed guru Meher Baba. Those accustomed to the Who's ear-shattering loudness and guitar-smashing violence will no doubt be just as disarmed at the relative peace found in the acoustic-based musings.
Also included, to the delight of Who disciples, are pieces from Townshend's aborted LIFEHOUSE project, which was originally intended for the Who. Surely, "Pure and Easy" is as winning and sublime a song as anything Townshend ever recorded. The Rykodisc reissue staples on a number of unreleased tracks that hold up quite well along with the rest of the album.