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Reviews

Ex Norwegian and Friends — Sing Wistle Tunes
(Bandcamp Think Like a Key TLAK1187, 2024, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2025-02-18

Sing Wistle Tunes Cover art

John Entwistle’s bass playing was integral to the music of The Who, but he was only responsible for writing a handful of the group’s songs — one or two on each album with the exception of Quadrophenia, where he got none. But some of those songs were among the most memorable in The Who’s catalog, and were staples of their live shows. Sing Wistle Tunes is an homage to Entwistle’s songwriting, featuring 17 tracks done by Ex Norwegian along with various guests. All are done in the solid Ex Norwegian style — power pop with touches of psychedelia — coming off essentially like Ex Norwegian originals if you didn’t recognize the original songs or read the cover. Given the consistency in personnel, this tribute collection is more even than some, without clear weak points. It’s great to hear tunes like “905,” “It’s Your Turn,” “Whisky Man,” and “I Wonder” acknowledged as classics, and even the silly “Peg Leg Peggy” comes off as a fun romp. If you’re a fan of The Who and don’t know Ex Norwegian, Sing Wistle Tunes should be of interest — just note that it stylistically leans toward the earlier times rather than the big arena-filling epics most people think of from The Who (you know, “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Who Are You,” and so on). If you’re a fan of Ex Norwegian and don’t care about The Who, you’re in luck as well, so I guess it’s a win-win.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Various Artists, The Who, Ex Norwegian, Fernando Perdomo, Nick Frater

More info
http://exnorwegian.bandcamp.com/album/sing-wistle-tunes

 

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