I have just this week discovered the tremendous psychedelic masterpiece known as "S.F. Sorrow" by The Pretty Things. I have been blown away by this record. I came across it as I read on rateyourmusic how it was really the first rock opera. As a big fan of The Who's "Tommy" I had to get my hands on a copy. I did, and it hasn't left my car stereo all week. This album trumps "Tommy" by a mile.

I'd love to hear your thoughs, and would like to hear some reccomendations to some similar albums from this period.

I don't think it comes close to Tommy, but it's an excellent recording that was reissued in 2000.

It may not be as good as Tommy but that leaves a lot of room for greatness, no? A couple months ago Mojo listed the title track as one of the greatest British singles of all time.

Along these lines I was just rocking out on Village Green just this last week. Both SF and Village Green predate Tommy. I'm happy to concede that Tommy easily reigns supreme over these records but still it's cool to take a look at the stuff that influenced Townsend. Cool because you'll find some sometimes forgotten masterpieces.

The following are the tracks that Uncut included on its Roots of Tommy cd (which I'm very happy to own):

The Pretty Things - S.F. Sorrow is Born
Mose Allison - A Young Man
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - I Don't Live Today
The Zombies - Care of Cell 44
Eddie Cochran - My Way
The Creation - Nightmares
Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
Nirvana - Pentecost Hotel
Sonny Boy Williamson - Eyesight to the Blind
Procol Harum - Shine on Brightly
Max Miller - I Never Slept a Wink All Night
The Kinks - The Village Green Preservation Society
Keith West - Sam
Pete Townsend - Pinball Wizard (Demo)

Now don't get me wrong, I think Tommy is a great album. But it's much too long winded. I would listen to it more if it didn't drag on in spots.

Very good album but I too don't think it is as good as Tommy... While Tommy does have some filler it also has a HUGE amount of great tunes...


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I must protest! There's no filler on Tommy!!! That album is put together perfectly from start to finish. That album as all meat no filler; every sound on it is as purposeful as any on Beethoven's 5th.

I never said it had filler, I said it drags on. The Underture, although on it's on is quite good, is not needed and adds 10 mins. to the album. This is after we already have a 5 and half min. Overture.