Whistle Rymes
| Whistle Rymes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by John Entwistle | ||||
| Released | November 3, 1972 (UK), November 4, 1972 (US)[1] | |||
| Recorded | During May 1972 | |||
| Studio | Island Studios, Notting Hill, London, England | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 54:28 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Track Records | |||
| Producer | John Entwistle, John Alcock | |||
| John Entwistle chronology | ||||
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Whistle Rymes is the second solo album by John Entwistle, bassist for British rock band The Who.
Background
The album's title pokes fun at a common misspelling of Entwistle's surname. Several of the tracks give a humorous look on domestic life, following the birth of Entwistle's son, Christopher.
"Ten Little Friends" was written on piano at John Entwistle's Ealing home studio and sprang from a bout of writer's block. The title comes from a set of troll figures given to him by the Who's Keith Moon. The track features a guitar solo from Peter Frampton. As well as his usual bass guitar, Entwistle also plays bass synthesizer.
Whistle Rymes is described by Allmusic as having a catchy, straightforward, pop-tinged rock with dark, often bitingly sarcastic lyrics.[2]
Release
The original 1972 UK release of this album was on Track Records and distributed by Polydor Records. The first US issue of this album was on the silver Track/Decca label. A year later it was reissued in the US on MCA Records.
Reception
AllMusic critics said, ""Thinkin' It Over" is a witty, waltz-styled tune about a potential suicide having second thoughts while preparing to jump off a building, and "Who Cares?" a punchy, piano-driven rocker about a man who deals with the problems of life by refusing to take it seriously. However, Entwistle's finest achievement in this respect is "I Feel Better", a devastatingly sarcastic tune that features the singer putting down an ex-lover by listing all the things all the things he does to get back at her. Viciously witty yet full of emotion, this poison-pen gem ranks up there with Harry Nilsson's "You're Breaking My Heart"."[2]
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
Track listing
All songs written and composed by John Entwistle.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ten Little Friends" | 4:03 |
| 2. | "Apron Strings" | 3:47 |
| 3. | "I Feel Better" | 4:46 |
| 4. | "Thinkin' It Over" | 3:12 |
| 5. | "Who Cares?" | 4:28 |
| 6. | "I Wonder" | 2:58 |
| 7. | "I Was Just Being Friendly" | 3:33 |
| 8. | "The Window Shopper" | 3:28 |
| 9. | "I Found Out" | 3:51 |
| 10. | "Nightmare (Please Wake Me Up)"" | 6:16 |
Bonus tracks
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Wonder (Demo)" | 2:52 |
| 2. | "All Dressed Up (Demo)" | 2:53 |
| 3. | "Back on the Road (Demo)" | 3:53 |
| 4. | "Countryside Boogie (Demo)" | 4:28 |
Personnel
- John Entwistle - bass, keyboards, vocals, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, trumpet, piano, French horn
- Peter Frampton - guitar
- John Weider - backing vocals, violin (on 'Nightmare')
- Keith Moon - percussion
- Rod Coombes - drums
- Jimmy McCulloch - guitar
- Neil Sheppard - keyboards
- Bryan Williams - trombone, keyboards
- Alan Ross - acoustic guitar
- Graham Deakin - drums
References
- ↑ Neill & Kent 2002, p. 296.
- 1 2 Donald A. Guarisco. "Whistle Rymes - John Entwistle - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.