BILL WYMAN’S RHYTHM KINGS DOUBLE BILL
Orig Year 2001
Format~Flac
No doubt sporting a wry grin when he decided to call this two-CD set Double Bill, the old Stones bassist is further consolidating his second roll. Wyman's done well from old material since 1997 and this project is even more explicitly nostalgic, involving a very thorough excavation of his record collection. The tune-choices are admirably diverse, avoiding predictable selections. Wyman rotates his trio of lead vocalists and calls up soloists from his impressive lead guitar pool. The Rhythm Kings band is now a road-hogging concern, turning into a combo with the rapport that's only found out on tour. The old-time styles all emanate from a blues base but also embrace Staple Singers gospel, Louis Jordan jump jive and Etta James throat-burning. The start of disc two best illustrates this genre-jumping attitude, flouncing through jazz, country, rock'n'roll and operatic swamp-pop soul balladry, all in the first four tracks. With guitarists Albert Lee, Martin Taylor, Andy Fairweather Low and a sweetly hovering George Harrison on board, nearly all the set's solos are string-sprung. These never outstay their welcome, keeping things concise and pointed. Wyman also contributes six originals, mostly delivered in his own gruff-deadpan slither, making a good contrast with the dominant mood of vocal slickness.
Personnel: Bill Wyman (vocals, bass, background vocals); Andy Fairweather Low (vocals, guitar, National guitar, background vocals); Albert Lee (vocals, guitar); Gary Brooker (vocals, piano, background vocals); Georgie Fame (vocals, organ, background vocals); Anita Kelsey, Beverley Skeete (vocals, background vocals); Martin Taylor (guitar, mandolin); Tommy Emmanuel (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar); Terry Norman Taylor (acoustic guitar, slide guitar, background vocals); Chris Rea (slide guitar); Nick Payn (harmonica, saxophone, horns); Geoff Grange (harmonica); Frank Mead (saxophone, horns); Pete Beachill, Andy Macintosh, Derek Watkins, Nick Pentelow (horns); David Hartley (piano); Graham Broad (drums, percussion); Frank Ricotti, Martin Ditcham, Ray Cooper (percussion); Keely Smith, Janice Hoyte, Zoe Nicholas (background vocals).
Disc: 1
1. Long Walk To D.C.
2. Hot Foot Blues
3. Hit That Jive Jack
4. Love Letters
5. Love's Down The Drain
6. I can't Dance
7. Medley: Snap You Fingers/What A Friend We Have In Jesus
8. Get In The Kitchen
9. Boogie Woogie All Night Long
10. Medley: Do You Or Don't You/I Wanna Know
11. Trust In Me
12. Turn On Your Love Light
Disc: 2
1. The Joint Is Jumping
2. Brownskin Girl
3. Tired & Sleepy
4. Lonely Blue Boy
5. Bye Bye Blues
6. Where's The Money
7. Jellyroll Fool
8. Jealous Girl
9. My Handy Man
10. Rollin' & Stumblin'
11. Keep On Truckin'
12. Breakin' Up The House