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

Smash Your Head Against the Wall
(1971)
Whistle Rymes
(1972)
Rigor Mortis Sets In
(1973)

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 Earling 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 featured a guitar solo from Peter Frampton. As well as his usual bass guitar, Entwistle also played bass synthesizer.

The album was rated 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 re-issued 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

References

  1. Neill & Kent 2002, p. 296.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Donald A. Guarisco. "Whistle Rymes - John Entwistle - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.