John Entwistle – So Who’s The Bass Player

Artist: John Entwistle

Title: So Who’s The Bass Player

Label: Sanctuary

Rating: 7/10

The Who’s John Entwistle is one of the most significant bassist in rock music history. Before “The Ox” came along, rock bass players plied their trades largely in the shadows, providing a basic foundation for the more visible—and generally more egocentric—guitarists and vocalists. Most just viewed the four-stringed instrument as a given, and not much more.

John Entwistle changed all that. His complex bass lines were an integral part of The Who’s makeup, and ultimately made the band much heavier and more energized than it would’ve been without him. His quiet disposition contrasted his bandmates’ colorful stage antics perfectly, branding him the solid, reliable one. He also contributed a few decent numbers to the band, such as the rocking “My Wife” and the excellent, “Trick of the Light.”

This new 2-disc anthology spans Entwistle’s solo career, which started in 1971 with the release of SMASH YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL, and ended with his final offering, 2000’s MUSIC FROM VAN PIRES. Ultimately, Entwistle’s solo output is less satisfying than his work with the Who, or that of band mates Townshend and Daltrey’s solo efforts. But this compilation, which comes housed in a cool slipcase, does include quite a few choice nuggets such as “Heaven and Hell,” “Mad Dog,” and a rousing live version of “My Wife.” And if taken on their own merit, these tracks are interesting bits of slightly obscure rock history.

+ Jim Kaz