A tribute, reviews and caught live

On June 27, John Entwistle, longtime bassist with The Who, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his sleep in Las Vegas on the eve of a major US tour. He was 57.

This was a very sad day for me. As one of the very first American Who fans (I was obsessed with The Who a full four years before “Tommy” made them a household name in 1969), John Entwistle, known as “The Ox,” was like an old friend. While Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and original drummer Keith Moon committed musical and visual mayhem onstage, Entwistle always anchored the band, standing impassively amidst the chaos and destruction that characterized early Who shows. Possessed with a droll and sardonic sense of humor, Entwistle was also one of the most accomplished bassists within the rock milieu. His aggressive riffs, juxtaposed against Townshend’s chunky rhythm-based guitar playing, earned Entwistle the role of the band’s lead guitarist in some ways, a role that was highly evident in the band’s recording of “5:15” from the Quadrophenia album. Listen to it and hear for yourself. It’s astounding.

Within 24 hours of Entwistle’s death, The Who decided to recruit session bassist Pino Palladino and continue with the tour. It was their only choice, considering the millions of dollars at stake. I believe John would have wanted them to continue.

I tried to put myself in Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend’s shoes, imagining how they’ll feel onstage, looking over at stage left and finding Entwistle missing for the first time in nearly 40 years. The emotional impact would be too much for me to bear, but I trust they’ll press on somehow.

God bless you, John. Say hello to Keith for me.

Buddy Miles, The Blues Berries featuring Rocky Athas, Ruf Records

Big, bad Buddy Miles is a survivor and he’s back stronger than ever with a new band, co-fronted with Texas guitar ace Rocky Athas, a former member of Black Oak Arkansas. The music showcases Miles’ always-soulful vocals and Athas’s expressive, melodic and passionate guitar. Also appearing is the Double Trouble rhythm section-bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton, perhaps the tightest twosome working in blues/rock today. The material is generally strong as well, making The Blues Berries a worthy effort. www.bluesberries.com.

Alice Stuart, Can’t Find No Heaven, Burnside Records

Guitarist/vocalist Alice Stuart, an original member of Frank Zappa’s Mother Of Invention and a Pacific Northwest music veteran of many years, has recorded an understated new disc of acoustic and electric blues. Stuart considers herself an interpreter first and foremost, as well as a songwriter. Her new versions of Jimmy Reed’s “Big Boss Man” and Fred McDowell’s “Drop Down Daddy” feature newly penned lyrics and fresh interpretations by Stuart and her flexible, supple backup band. Can’t Find No Heaven is a fine effort from Alice Stuart, one that should give her some attention within the record-buying public. www.burnsiderecords.com.

Caught Live: The King Of The Blues, B.B. King, made rare Sussex County appearance on Tuesday, June 25 at the McNeice Auditorium at the Sussex County Vo-Tech School. Now 76 and unable to stand while performing, King nonetheless wowed the crowd from his chair with blues standard and old favorites, including “How Blue Can You Get,” “Don’t  Answer The Door,” “The Thrill Is Gone,” “Caledonia,” “Key To The Highway” and many more. Make sure to see B.B. King while he’s still alive and able to perform. He’s always touring, even in his sunset days.