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ABC Radio

ABC RadioThe Who‘s Pete Townshend has offered a new update on the status of the band’s upcoming studio album, this one recapping the first day of the second series of sessions that took place Monday, March 4, at Metropolis Studios in London.

Townshend explains that The Who are trying to finish and mix 10 to 12 tracks so that a completed album can be delivered to the group’s label, Polydor, before May.

“May is the very latest that makes any sense,” Townshend reports. “If we don’t make this deadline the album could easily slip into 2020 because the tour dates are filling up the year. So we are trying to be as [focused] as possible, but still have fun in the studio.”

Pete also points out that while he and producer Dave Sardy collaborate on putting tracks together in London, singer Roger Daltrey currently is in a different studio in Kent, U.K., working on vocals.

Adds Townshend, “I am also doing work on a couple of new songs that we may include which will be good to see in these video diaries [I’ve been posting online] because we will be starting on songs from the ground up if they happen. Drums, bass, guitar and maybe keyboards. Maybe even a Roger vocal if he is around.”

In addition, Pete says The Who also will be scheduling some orchestral recording for the album.

A video blog focusing on Monday’s sessions includes footage of Townshend interacting with Sardy, engineer Jim Monti, guitar technician Alan Rogan and an A&R rep for Polydor. Pete’s wife and frequent collaborator, Rachel Fuller, also makes an appearance in the clip.

Meanwhile, Townshend reports that over the weekend he produced seven songs for a U.K. folk-rock group called The Bookshop Band at his home studio.

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