Petra Haden
Record review
Reviewed by Greg Beets, Fri., April 1, 2005
Petra Haden
Sings: The Who Sell Out (Bar/None)
As the story goes, Minutemen/fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt gave L.A. violinist/singer Petra Haden, daughter of legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden, an eight-track recorder with The Who Sell Out on one track, and instructions to use the other seven to reinterpret the classic album as an a cappella piece. Aside from demonstrating Haden's talent as a vocalist, the idea offers further veneration of Watt's musical foresight. The union of Haden and the Who wouldn't work on just any rock monument, but 1967's The Who Sell Out is perfect because the LP's musical quick-steps keep things moving at a steady clip, while its air of psychedelia allows Haden lush overdubs of vocal droning in lieu of guitars. She sings the album straight through without additional adornment, resisting the temptation to play it for lowbrow irony. Hearing the familiar expanses of "I Can See for Miles" and "Armenia City in the Sky" reconstructed by just one voice, presumably working in solitude, is an oddly enlivening sensation. It's not an everyday listen, but like all good tributes, you'll come away appreciating the source material more.
