Musical Memories - David

As I was looking through my albums and CD’s, my preference for live albums and CD’s became pretty obvious:  Nine Tonight (Bob Seger), The Eagles Live, One More From The Road (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Rattle and Hum (U2), Songs From The Attic (Billy Joel), Three Sides Live (Genesis).  There’s just something about the energy of a live album that I enjoy.

Hopefully I will never be stranded on a deserted island.  However, if I were and if I had only one album to sustain me, that album would be Join Together by The Who.

I really didn’t have to think very long about my go to album.  Join Together is a product of The Who’s 1989 world tour. It was released in 1990 and every time I listen to it, it’s as though I am hearing it for the first time

Join Together includes 34 songs which would come in handy if one were stranded on a deserted island.  The album includes a live version of Tommy, live versions of many of The Who’s greatest hits (old and new) and several songs from solo projects by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey.  

Not only to I enjoy the music on Join Together, I also enjoy the memories it sparks.  Every time I listen to this album I am reminded of important and enjoyable periods in my life.

The album begins with Overture.  Hearing this reminds me of playing basketball in high school because it was a part of our warm-up music.

I saw The Who at The Carrier Dome in 1982.  That show remains one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.  I’m not sure my ears have recovered! The show took place at the end of my junior year.  Several of my friends and I managed to get hired for concert security which basically involved standing next to an SU football player and making sure no one rushed the stage.  I left for Ireland about a month later with plenty of Who songs to play on my Walkman (remember those?)

As a young teacher I spent many late nights grading papers and planning my lessons.  I seemed to work better when I had The Who playing in my ears.

Join Together does not include very much “soft” music.  As is the case with Who music in general, it is meant to be listened to LOUD.  It includes live versions of two of the greatest (in my opinion) rock anthems of all time, “We’re Not Gonna Take it” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”.  This makes it the perfect companion for a long car ride or exercising. If I am walking while listening to Join Together, my pace is always quicker.  I tend to lose myself which can be a bit embarrassing if I am walking in our neighborhood. I have to be careful not to scream like Roger Daltrey or mimic Pete Townshend’s famous windmill.

As I’ve already mentioned, I hope to never find myself stranded on a deserted island.  However, if I do and if I only have one album to listen to, I’ll be listening to Join Together by The Who.  The volume will be up. I’ll be singing at the top of my lungs like Daltrey and windmilling like Townshend. In this scenario, I probably won’t be stranded for very long because my voice and The Who’s lyrics will be heard “for miles and miles.”