Customer Reviews

Whistle Rymes

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this album after listening to and loving "Smash Your Head Agaisnt the Wall". I was not disappointed as this album contains several gems from the Who bassist (not to mention guitar work from the then-undiscovered Peter Frampton).

While I don't think Entwistle suffered from the same stifling from Pete Townshend that George Harrison suffered at the hands of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, I can't help but wonder why more of his songs weren't in the Who catalogue? He is an obviously gifted musician and his songs are top-notch.

Pete often told John that he used so many ideas in each of his songs; ideas that he would have stretched out into several tunes! Yes, the songs are chock-full of humorous, ("I wonder what would happen if my fish could fly? Would it leap from the tank and hit the cat in the eye?"), scathing ("I remember that you were the worst lay I ever had, and I feel better!") and sometimes very dark lyrics ("Knowing that one day you'd die, the least you could have done is make sure I could live easy,")- there's little filler on this album. Especially good tunes are "Apron Strings" (nice guitar solo by Frampton here), "Who Cares?", "The Window Shopper" and "I Wonder". "Nightmare" is very quirky and features wonderful singing by John in the beginning and decends into a cacophony of sound by the end.

The songs are largely piano-based and infused with all the brass that you'd come to expect from John Entwistle (the man can not only play bass and piano, but also French horn, trombone, tuba, coronet, trumpet and God knows what all else!). Overall, a fine album. Pete and The Who sorely missed out having the chance to record this stuff.

Quite simply: this is the best collection of songs John Entwistle ever produced. The playing is excelent, particularly Peter Frampton s' solos on "Apron Strings" and "Mr Bones". John s' vocals are in top form. And all the songs are good and interesting. Some of the songs you just wonder, why were never recorded by the Who. In 1972 The Who entered the studio and recorded 22 songs for a follow up album to Who s' Next. Only some of the songs appeared later in singles or in Quadrophenia. It is a shame the Who never recorded or played any of this songs particularly "Who Cares", "Apron Strings" or "Nightmares".
Beware: the cd version of this album differs in the mix. I prefer the old LP mixes, since sometimes features Frampton s' guitar more clearly.

This album is a great experience, the songs tie together and also stand alone as individually engaging. Peter Frampton's playing screams and Entwistle's piano playing is an uplifting rumble. Bass, Brass, and Bawdy, Black Humor, as always, are found in all Entwistle albums, but I feel this is his most complete effort, not a novelty by a solo performer, but a strong album; by anyone. Some great lyrics "I Feel Better" (one of the most beautiful love songs written) and "Thinking It Over" leap out as examples.

I am so pleased to see that the solo works of "The Who's" legendary bass player are once again available! This CD is great from start to finish! The kind where you don't find yourself skipping tracts to your favorite song. If you enjoy dark comedy and sometimes off the wall lyrics than this and other of his solo works will be treasures for your collection!

An excellent practically unknown gem of an album.
The band is very tight, the recording excellent
(and I only have the LP as yet)and Peter Frampton's
guitar work is among his best.

Undoubtedly, few know of (or perhaps care about) the late John Entwistle's solo efforts. This is shame, as he was an extremely strong songwriter and performer in his own right, as is evidenced here and from his Who performances. The cuts here and on his first solo album, "Smash Your Head Against the Wall," are typical and typically great efforts from the Ox. If you are familiar with and enjoy his Who work ("My Wife," "Boris the Spider," "The Quiet One," "Trick of the Light," "Cousin Kevin," "Success Story," etc.), then you know what you're in for here. Entwistle always had a darker, quirkier sense of humor than Peter Townshend, making his songs a tad less accessible while no less rockin'. Within this disc, you will find tunes about Peeping Toms, bitter Ex-Husbands, men soliciting women they THINK are prostitutes, and chumps who are chronically lied to. All very funny and replete with fantastic musicianship. Who knows how long these discs will be in print, so grab 'em while you can. Again, if you like John's songs on Who albums, you will definetely love these discs (though, to be fair, because of the different musicians, it doesn't SOUND much like the Who... I mean, who could play drums like Keith Moon except Keith Moon?). A fine album (as is "Smash...").

On Mr. Entwistle's second solo effort he proved yet again that he did not need the Who. He is a very gifted musician and he knows how to write very good songs. This album contains some of his best songwriting and playing. It Hits you hard woth the opening track all the way to the final track. Buy this CD

Whistle Rymes is by far the best solo album of any Who member. Although Empty Glass by Pete is top notch, this album is simply much stronger. As stated in previous reviews the writing is incredible and Frampton's work practically jumps out at you-his guitar style is so recognizable. One thing that hasn't been said about this album though is the emotion in John's singing. Songs like "I Feel Better" and Apron Strings really showcase this well.

One thing I would love to see is a tribute/remake of this album with guest singers. Couldn't you just see Kid Rock singing "I Feel Better" or "I Found Out"? How about Travis Tritt covering "Thinking it Over"?

At least that way these incredible songs would see the light of day and perhaps John would get the recognition he always deserved.