At a time when artists are racing to get their albums up online before they're available at brick-and-mortar record stores, another early Web release would be nothing to write home about.| Pete Townshend's upcoming live album might only be downloadable one day prior to its on-shelf date, but the sweet part of the deal is that downloads of the album will be free of charge for a full week.

The album, Pete Townshend Live, which collects songs from his '97 and '98 performances at Chicago's House of Blues -- both staged to benefit the Maryville Academy for abused children -- will be available for free download Sept. 20-27, via Musicmaker.com.

In other Townshend news, the rumored appearance by the Who at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit Concert has finally been confirmed, with the rockers lined-up to play both the Oct. 30 and 31 shows. The Who will play acoustically, with Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle joined by Ringo's son Zak Starkey on drums.

JENNY ELISCU
(September 15, 1999)