The Who worth waiting for

Along with some of Britain’s more dedicated groups, THE WHO refuse to churn out fresh records to any fixed schedule dictated by the commercialist aspect of the music-making business. Yet when their few-and-far-between decks get into the shops everybody has to admit that the waiting was worthwhile.

Their latest single, issued this week on the Track label, features another robust Pete Townshend composition called "Pictures Of Lily." The lyrics are meaningful and the tune is of intricate construction. There's a deep penetration about the group’s performance with Daltrey knifing his way into the words and Moon putting his rock-hard drum beat behind and between the huge sound of the Townshend guitar.

"Pictures Of Lily" is one of the most striking records The Who have ever built. It has the force of instant impact combined with the staying power of a memorable tune. In basic musical content it packs so much more than the majority of to-day’s Top 20.

If we can call "Happy Jack" a companion of "Yellow Submarine" then "Pictures Of Lily" lies somewhere between "Eleanor Rigby" and "Strawberry Fields Forever." I predict that The Who will give the new Track label its first Number One hit via this recording.