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Appreciation: John Entwistle's writing, vocals, humor
shaped The Who 
Saturday, June 29, 2002
By Ed Masley, Post-Gazette Pop Music Critic 

I couldn't let the final word on John Entwistle go to
an Associated Press writer who, in writing yesterday's
obituary, felt the legendary bassist for The Who was
best described as an "efficient" player.

Efficient?!

Sure, if what you mean by efficient is what other
people mean by words like thundering, explosive,
revolutionary, freakishly talented, over-the-top and
in-your-face.

It's true, he didn't take part in the onstage chaos by
jumping or doing a windmill or smashing his bass to
bits, but he's the one who takes the lead on "My
Generation," the single that's come to define the
early Who.

It's because of his explosive style and sound -- the
brightness of those Rotosounds slapping against the
neck -- that The Who never needed a second guitarist. 

It was guitarist Pete Townshend who anchored the sound
(which to that point had been the bassist's job), not
Entwistle. He was off recklessly following drummer
Keith Moon, who, in his more inspired moments, sounded
as if his kit was falling down the stairs without
missing a beat. 

And later, as the band moved on from the relentless
urgency and youthful chaos of such early watersheds as
"Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere," "My Generation" and "I
Can't Explain," you could always count on Entwistle
for playing as inspired as the fills beneath the
verses on "The Real Me."

That's just where his contributions to The Who begin,
though.

Entwistle, who died at 57 Thursday of a heart attack,
was more than just a bassist.

His falsetto vocals played a key role in the early
sound, especially at the climax of the classic
Townshend mini-opera "A Quick One While He's Away."

His sense of humor helped The Who edge out the Kinks
as the funniest band that ever mattered.

His horn parts played a crucial role in such classics
as "Pictures of Lily" and "Heinz Baked Beans."

And his writing provided the band with many of its
most endearing moments, from "Boris the Spider" and
"Whiskey Man" to "Doctor, Doctor," "Fiddle About" and
"Heaven and Hell."

If that's efficient, then we're all in trouble, 'cause
the bar on efficiency just went up an awful lot.


=====
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com
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