The Who – Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition (CD/Blu-ray) REVIEW
Few bands carry the weight of history, mythology, and musical innovation quite like The Who, and few albums capture the end of an era with as much poignancy as 1978’s Who Are You — the final studio album to feature drummer Keith Moon. Now, this landmark record has been given the full archival treatment in a Super Deluxe Edition, comprising 7 CDs and a Blu-ray, packed with unreleased material, alternate mixes, live recordings, and a brand-new Dolby Atmos / 5.1 mix by Steven Wilson.
I’ve spent time exploring every corner of this substantial box, and in this review I’ll take you inside the packaging, the audio, the extras, the book, and ultimately why I think this is one of the most satisfying Who reissues to land in years.
First Impressions & Packaging
The set arrives in a solid slipcase, with the contents clearly listed on the back. Inside is a beautifully presented hardback book and a fold-out “gatefold” style disc wallet that visually echoes the original album artwork — even though the original LP was not itself a gatefold.
Each of the seven CDs is housed in its own protective sleeve (a huge plus for collectors), complete with unique artwork and clear labelling:
Disc 1 – Original album + outtakes
Disc 2 – Glyn Johns Mix
Discs 3–5 – Sessions, demos, and Shepperton rehearsals (1977–79)
Discs 6–7 – Live in the USA 1979 with Kenny Jones
Disc 8 – Blu-ray with Steven Wilson Atmos, DTS-HD MA, and PCM
The Blu-ray uses one of the original unused cover design concepts — a lovely nod to the album’s history.
The book is superb. A true hardback (thank goodness they didn’t go softback!), featuring:
Newly written essays
Detailed track-by-track notes
Unseen photographs
Memorabilia
Updated interviews
Images from Shepperton rehearsals and filming
Candid band photos from 1978–79
A touching and respectful section on Keith Moon, including one of the last photos taken of him
The book feels like a definitive archival document — exactly what a Super Deluxe Edition should do.
Audio Content: What’s New & What’s Special
The 2024/2025 Remaster
The core album sounds fresh, punchy and full of life. The clarity on tracks like “New Song,” “Sister Disco,” and “Who Are You” really stands out.
The Glyn Johns Mix
Not better or worse — just a different lens through which to experience the album. Like ordering your favourite curry and finding a slightly different mix of spices: still delicious, still familiar, but revealing new subtleties.
Sessions & Demos
Some of these demos have circulated in various forms, but here they’re beautifully curated, annotated, and remastered.
Shepperton 1977 / 1978–79
These discs chart the band from rehearsal to filming — a fascinating window into how The Who prepared for their visual legacy during the Kids Are Alright era.
Live in the USA 1979 (Kenny Jones Era) – A Highlight
For me, these two live discs are worth the price of admission alone.
Kenny Jones is not Keith Moon — no one is — but what he delivers here is explosive, rock-solid drumming. The band plays with intensity and precision, and the setlist is outstanding. These concerts have been hidden away for decades, and finally hearing them in this quality is like rediscovering The Who at full power during a transitional period.
Steven Wilson’s Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix
If you love immersive audio, Steven Wilson delivers another masterclass. His approach:
Respects the original album
Adds dimensionality
Places you inside the performance
Reveals subtleties often lost in stereo
For Atmos and surround fans, this is reason enough to own the set.
The set is not physically as large as Who’s Next Super Deluxe, but the value-to-content ratio is far more appealing.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
