Thirty Years of Maximum R&B cover

Thirty Years of Maximum R&B

The Who · 1994

302 min · 94 tracks · hard rock · progressive rock · R&B

A sprawling anthology that captures The Who's explosive energy and innovative spirit across three decades of rock history.

Why this album works

This collection is significant as it marked The Who's 30th anniversary and showcases their impact on rock music, featuring many of their most beloved tracks. It received positive critical reception, cementing The Who's legacy and highlighting their role in shaping the genres of rock and rhythm and blues. Additionally, the album's release contributed to renewed interest in the band's live performances during the mid-90s.
Best for
dynamic collection of explosive energy wave-like pacing with varied tempos live dialogues enhance the experience
Context
Released in 1994, 'Thirty Years of Maximum R&B' serves as a retrospective compilation that celebrates The Who's extensive career from their formative years in the 1960s through to their later work. This album arrives after a period of relative quiet for the band, following their last studio album, 'It's Hard,' in 1982 and several lineup changes. The release reflects on their evolution and enduring influence in rock music.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 [Pete Townshend dialogue (live)] 0:21
  • 2 I’m the Face 2:27
  • 3 Here ’Tis 2:08
  • 4 Zoot Suit 1:59
  • 5 Leaving Here 2:47
  • 6 I Can’t Explain 2:04
  • 7 Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere 3:04
  • 8 Daddy Rolling Stone 2:49
  • 9 My Generation Standout 3:17
  • 10 The Kids Are Alright 3:04
  • 11 The Ox 3:48
  • 12 A Legal Matter 2:45
  • 13 [Pete Townshend dialogue (live)] 0:57
  • 14 Substitute (live) 2:08
  • 15 I’m a Boy 2:37
  • 16 Disguises 3:20
  • 17 Happy Jack Jingle 0:31
  • 18 Happy Jack 2:12
  • 19 Boris the Spider 2:28
  • 20 So Sad About Us 3:00
  • 21 A Quick One, While He’s Away (original version) (live) 9:40
  • 22 Pictures of Lily 2:42
  • 23 Early Morning Cold Taxi 3:03
  • 24 Coke 2 0:47
  • 25 (This Could Be) The Last Time 3:02
  • 26 I Can’t Reach You 3:03
  • 27 Girl's Eyes 3:07
  • 28 Bag O’Nails 0:05
  • 29 Call Me Lightning 2:20

Disc 2

  • 1 Rotosound Strings 0:06
  • 2 I Can See for Miles 4:14
  • 3 Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand 2:09
  • 4 Armenia City in the Sky 3:17
  • 5 Tattoo 2:41
  • 6 Our Love Was 3:07
  • 7 Rael 1 5:41
  • 8 Rael 2 0:52
  • 9 Track Records / Premier Drums 0:32
  • 10 Sunrise 3:02
  • 11 [Russell Harty dialogue] 0:21
  • 12 Jaguar 2:03
  • 13 Melancholia 3:18
  • 14 Fortune Teller 2:18
  • 15 Magic Bus 3:16
  • 16 Little Billy 2:17
  • 17 Dogs 3:01
  • 18 Overture 3:52
  • 19 The Acid Queen 3:32
  • 20 [Abbie Hoffman incident (live)] 0:15
  • 21 Underture (live) 4:02
  • 22 Pinball Wizard Standout 3:00
  • 23 I’m Free 2:36
  • 24 See Me, Feel Me (live) 3:32
  • 25 Heaven and Hell 3:32
  • 27 Young Man Blues 4:45
  • 28 Summertime Blues 3:34

Disc 3

  • 1 Shakin’ All Over 4:11
  • 2 Baba O’Riley Standout 4:57
  • 3 Bargain (live) 5:00
  • 4 Pure and Easy 5:10
  • 5 The Song Is Over 6:08
  • 6 [studio dialogue] 0:46
  • 7 Behind Blue Eyes 3:37
  • 8 Won’t Get Fooled Again 8:31
  • 9 The Seeker (edited version) 3:21
  • 10 Bony Moronie (live) 3:24
  • 11 Let’s See Action 3:56
  • 12 Join Together 4:17
  • 13 Relay 4:00
  • 14 The Real Me 3:34
  • 15 5:15 (single version) 4:16
  • 16 Bell Boy 4:54
  • 17 Love Reign O’er Me 4:52

Disc 4

  • 1 Long Live Rock 3:55
  • 2 Life With the Moons 1:43
  • 3 Naked Eye (live) 5:03
  • 4 University Challenge 0:29
  • 5 Slip Kid 4:09
  • 6 Poetry Cornered 0:31
  • 7 Dreaming From the Waist (live) 4:16
  • 8 Blue Red and Grey 2:43
  • 9 Life With the Moons 2 0:45
  • 10 Squeeze Box 2:39
  • 11 My Wife (live) 4:33
  • 12 Who Are You (single version) 4:58
  • 13 Music Must Change 4:34
  • 14 Sister Disco 4:16
  • 15 Guitar and Pen 5:49
  • 16 You Better You Bet 5:29
  • 17 Eminence Front 5:25
  • 18 Twist and Shout (live) 3:09
  • 19 I’m a Man (live) 6:33
  • 20 [Pete Townshend dialogue (live)] 0:36
  • 21 Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting) 4:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata