Rigor Mortis Sets In

Last updated

Rigor Mortis Sets In
Rigor Mortis Sets In.jpg
Studio album by
John Entwistle
ReleasedAs Rigor Mortis Sets In in May 1973 (UK) and as John Entwistle's Rigor Mortis Sets In in June 1973 (US)
RecordedOctober–November 1972
StudioNova Sound Studios (London, England)
Genre
Length33:58
Label
Producer
  • John Entwistle
  • John Alcock
John Entwistle chronology
Whistle Rymes
(1972)		Rigor Mortis Sets In
(1973)		 Mad Dog
(1975)
US Cover
Entwistle rigor mortis.jpg

Rigor Mortis Sets In is the third solo studio album by the English rock musician John Entwistle, who was the bassist for the Who at that time. Distributed by Track Records, the album was named John Entwistle's Rigor Mortis Sets In in the US. The second album to be co-produced by Entwistle and John Alcock, it consists of two 1950s rock and roll covers, one 1960s cover, a new version of the Entwistle song "My Wife" from the Who's fifth studio album Who's Next (1971), and new tracks (only six of the ten songs were original material). Rigor Mortis Sets In set in motion Entwistle assembling his own touring unit during the increasing periods of the Who's inactivity.

Contents

Bearing the dedication "In Loving Memory of Rock 'n' Roll 1950–∞: Never Really Passed Away Just Ran Out of Time", Entwistle's affection for 1950s rock and roll was evident by cover versions of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog", and Little Richard's "Lucille". As George Lucas had released American Graffiti (1973) at the same time as Rigor Mortis Sets In was released, creating a huge market for 1950s nostalgia, Entwistle's timing was uncannily prescient. In Entwistle's original material for the album, light whimsy prevailed over the darker (and more creative) vein of Smash Your Head Against the Wall (1971) and Whistle Rymes (1972). The album was completed in less than three weeks, ultimately costing $10,000 in studio time and $4,000 on liquor bills. [1]

The cover art of the gatefold LP features on one cover an outdoor photo of a grave, whose heart-shaped headstone is engraved with the dedication described above, while the grave's footstone is inscribed "V.S.O.P." (a grading acronym for cognac). The opposite cover features a wooden coffin bearing a brass plate engraved with the album's name. The UK (Track) LP used the coffin on the cover and the gravestone on the inner gatefold, while the US (MCA) LP had the opposite arrangement. CD releases have been fronted with Track's original coffin cover, with the gravestone cover proportionally preserved inside as part of the liner notes.

Rigor Mortis Sets In had a rough launch due to its title and cover art. BBC Radio refused to play the album and banned it, ironically in part due to the influence of disc jockey (DJ) Jimmy Savile who had just suffered a death in his family. The album's US debut was problematic for MCA Records (Track's new American distributor), who insisted on appending the artist's name to the title, out of concern that the album's sales would be weak without the Entwistle name in the title.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Christgau's Record Guide C+ [3]

The album was considered by AllMusic to be a "nosedive" in his career compared to Smash Your Head Against the Wall and Whistle Rymes. His covers of "Hound Dog" and "Lucille" were so "lifelessly performed that it sounds like the band is merely attempting to imitate Sha Na Na instead of sending up the original tunes themselves". The song that was known as the biggest offender in this respect was "Mr. Bass Man" which replaces the enthusiasm of Johnny Cymbal's original version with a self-consciously campy production built on cutesy vocals guaranteed to make listeners grind their teeth. [2]

The album was more positively received by John Rockwell of The New York Times . In a 1973 article about solo albums released by members of popular bands, Rockwell said that the album found Entwistle "working effectively in a straight-ahead fifties idiom that the Who themselves have long since abandoned." [4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by John Entwistle, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Gimme That Rock 'n' Roll" 3:00
2."Mr. Bass Man" Johnny Cymbal 2:49
3."Do the Dangle" 4:05
4."Hound Dog"
2:29
5."Made in Japan" 3:48
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."My Wife" 3:32
7."Roller Skate Kate" 4:14
8."Peg Leg Peggy" 3:38
9."Lucille"
2:53
10."Big Black Cadillac" 3:35
Total length:33:58
CD bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
11."BP Big Gallon Jingle ('100 Miles of Motorway')" (Demo)0:35
12."BP Big Gallon Jingle ('100 Miles of Motorway')" (Demo with voiceover)0:33
13."Made in Japan" (Early take)3:54
14."Peg Leg Peggy" (Early take)3:57

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Entwistle</span> English musician; bassist for The Who (1944–2002)

John Alec Entwistle was an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band the Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band's only member with formal musical training and also provided backing and occasional lead vocals. Entwistle was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Who in 1990.

<i>My Generation</i> (album) 1965 album by The Who

My Generation is the debut studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 December 1965 by Brunswick Records in the United Kingdom, and Festival Records in Australia. In the United States, it was released on 25 April 1966 by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation, with a different cover and a slightly altered track listing. Besides the members of the Who, being Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass) and Keith Moon (drums), the album features contributions by session musician Nicky Hopkins (piano).

<i>Live at Leeds</i> 1970 live album by the Who

Live at Leeds is the first live album by English rock band the Who, recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970 and released on 11 May 1970, by Decca and MCA in the United States and by Track and Polydor in the United Kingdom. It is the band's only live album that was recorded with the classic line-up of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon.

<i>Magic Bus: The Who on Tour</i> 1968 compilation album by the Who

Magic Bus: The Who on Tour is a compilation album by English rock band the Who. It was released as the band's fourth album in the United States by Decca in September 1968 to capitalize on the success of their single of the same name. It is a compilation album of previously released material, and was not issued in the UK, although the album was also released at approximately the same time in Canada. It peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Electric Ladyland</i> 1968 studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience

Electric Ladyland is the third and final studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in October 1968. A double album, it was the only record from the Experience with production solely credited to Hendrix. The band's most commercially successful release and its only number one album, it was released by Reprise Records in the United States on October 16, 1968, and by Track Records in the UK nine days later. By mid-November, it had reached number 1 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, spending two weeks there. In the UK it peaked at number 6, where it spent 12 weeks on the British charts.

<i>The Who by Numbers</i> 1975 studio album by the Who

The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 6 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. It was named the tenth-best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.

<i>Its Hard</i> 1982 studio album by the Who

It's Hard is the tenth studio album by English rock band the Who. Released in September 1982, it was the final Who album to feature bassist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. It was also the second and final Who studio album with drummer Kenney Jones, as well as the last to be released on Warner Bros. Records in the US. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK, peaking at No. 11, and on Warner Bros. in the US where it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The US rights to both this album and Face Dances subsequently reverted to the band, who then licensed them to MCA Records for reissue. The album achieved gold status by the RIAA in the US in November 1982. It was their last album for over two decades until Endless Wire in 2006.

<i>Who Are You</i> 1978 studio album by the Who

Who Are You is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 18 August 1978 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and on 21 August 1978 by MCA Records in the United States. Although the album received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US charts and number 6 on the UK charts.

<i>Honky Château</i> 1972 studio album by Elton John

Honky Château is the fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released on 19 May 1972, and was titled after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Château d'Hérouville. The album reached number one on the US Billboard 200, the first of John's seven consecutive US number one albums.

<i>Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy</i> 1971 compilation album by The Who

Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy is a compilation album of singles by English rock band the Who, released in 1971 as Track 2406 006 in the UK and as Decca DL 79184 in the US. It entered the US Billboard 200 chart on 20 November 1971, peaking at number 11, and the UK chart on 3 December 1971, peaking at number 9.

<i>Odds & Sods</i> 1974 compilation album by The Who

Odds & Sods is an album of studio outtakes by British rock band the Who. It was released by Track Records in the UK on September 28, 1974, and by Track/MCA in the US on October 12, 1974. Ten of the recordings on the original eleven-song album were previously unreleased. The album reached No. 10 on the UK charts and No. 15 in the US.

"My Wife" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written and sung by bass guitarist John Entwistle. It was originally released in 1971 on Who's Next and later as the B-side of the single "Baba O'Riley" on 6 November 1971 in Europe by Polydor Records.

<i>Smash Your Head Against the Wall</i> 1971 studio album by John Entwistle

Smash Your Head Against the Wall is the debut solo studio album by the English rock musician John Entwistle, released in May 1971 by Track Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US. Smash Your Head Against the Wall was the first solo album by any member of rock band the Who, born out of Entwistle's frustrations within the band, namely not having as many of his songs featured on their albums as he would've liked, and it features a guest appearance by the Who's drummer Keith Moon on one track, as well as strong musical influences from the band's work.

<i>Whistle Rymes</i> 1972 studio album by John Entwistle

Whistle Rymes is the second solo studio album by the English rock musician John Entwistle, released on 3 November 1972 by Track Records in the UK and on 4 November 1972 by Decca Records in the US. Entwistle co-produced the album with John Alcock, his first work with a producer after self-producing his debut studio album, Smash Your Head Against the Wall (1971), and it was recorded at Island Studios in West London's Notting Hill district. The album features guitar contributions from both Peter Frampton and Jimmy McCulloch.

<i>Mad Dog</i> (album) 1975 studio album by John Entwistles Ox

Mad Dog is the fourth solo studio album by the English rock musician John Entwistle, who was the bassist for the Who at that time. It was his last solo studio album for six years, and the debut album by his band John Entwistle's Ox.

<i>Too Late the Hero</i> (album) 1981 studio album by John Entwistle

Too Late the Hero is the fifth and final solo studio album by the English rock musician John Entwistle, released on 23 November 1981 by ATCO Records in the US, and by WEA in the UK. This was his only solo studio album of the 1980s and his last album to chart. The album peaked at No. 71 on the US Billboard 200, making it his best-selling album and his only album to reach the top 100.

<i>Two Sides of the Moon</i> 1975 album

Two Sides of the Moon is the only solo studio album by the English rock musician Keith Moon, drummer for the Who. It peaked at No. 155 on the Billboard 200. The album title was credited to Ringo Starr. Rather than using the album as a chance to showcase his drumming skill, Moon sang lead vocals on all tracks, and played drums only on three of the tracks, although he played percussion on "Don't Worry Baby". The album features contributions from Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Klaus Voormann, John Sebastian, Flo & Eddie, Spencer Davis, Dick Dale, Suzi Quatro's sister Patti Quatro, Patti's bandmates from Fanny Jean Millington and Nickey Barclay, and future actor Miguel Ferrer.

<i>Rough Mix</i> 1977 studio album by Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane

Rough Mix is an album by Pete Townshend, guitarist with the Who, and Ronnie Lane, former bassist with Small Faces and Faces. The album was released in September 1977 as Polydor 2442 in the UK and MCA 2295 in the US. It peaked at number 44 on the UK Albums Chart, and at number 45 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Join Together</i> (album) 1990 live album by The Who

Join Together is a box set of live material released from The Who's 1989 25th Anniversary Tour. Several of the tracks were recorded at Radio City Music Hall, New York, and at Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, with the rest from various other concerts during the tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do the Dangle</span> 1973 single by John Entwistle

"Do the Dangle" is a song written by John Entwistle. The song is on his album, Rigor Mortis Sets In. This entire album is an affectionate homage to, or satire of, 1950s and 1960s rock music. In addition to some actual "oldies", original compositions include "Roller Skate Kate" and "Peg Leg Peggy". The lyrics for the latter say that Peggy "really knows how to hop", a phrase originally used in rock songs to mean that a person was a skilled dancer, but in this case is a blackly humorous reference to Peggy having an artificial ("peg") leg.

References

  1. ↑ John Entwistle - So Who's The Bass Player? The Ox Anthology Liner Notes
  2. 1 2 Donald A. Guarisco. "Rigor Mortis Sets In John Entwistle". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved 24 February 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ↑ Rockwell, John (5 August 1973). "When Egos Rock the Groups". The New York Times .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.