Tuesday 15 May 2001

Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings / Review by Arno Kluenter, Cologne, Germany

Bill & his Rhythm Kings came onstage 8.10 p.m. The first thing surprising was the fact Gary Brooker was missing (same as the night before in Hamburg). His subsitute was a young guy looking a bit like Elvis - his name is Mike Sanchez. He did a real good job, I think, giving the band an even more boogie and R`n`R -mood. The way he plays and acts onstage is totally different than Gary Brooker does; more like Jerry Lee Lewis.

The set - as below - took us thru parts of all the Rhythm Kings albums in a nearly 2 hours gig of great music. My personal highlights were "Mystery Train" (phantastic Sax and Harmonica by Nick Payn), the wonderful Beverley Skeete doing vocals on "Melody" and performing the new single "Love letters". All thru the set Martin Taylor and Albert Lee did - once more - great guitar work with some phantastic solos. As always, Georgie Fame made his jokes.

When the band came back on stage to give the encores Bill was missing, and Georgie said "sorry, there is an old guy called Bill Wyman who first needs to finish his cigarette backstage".

I was lucky enough to meet Bill & the band backstage after the concert. One of the things I asked Bill was why Gary Brooker was missing. He told me that he is off the band for only a few days as he is doing a few "memorial" gigs with his old band "Procol Harum". After that - off course - he will return to the Rhythm Kings continuing the tour. I also asked Bill about the problems they had here in Germany with the local promoter. They planned to do about 10 gigs here in Germany but cause of the problems with the promoter they now could only arrange three dates (Hamburg, Cologne, Lichtenfels).
Asking if he will add more German dates in near future I have good news as Bill gave me a statement (handwritten) with a message to all his fans: " To all fans, I send to you fond wishes - and look forward to seeing you in Germany ( if not in May - maybe in November 2001) - when we may well return ! Bill Wyman"

Setlist:
Let the good times roll - Jitterbug Boogie - Walking one and only - Jump Jive and wail - Melody - Love letters - Chicken shack boogie - This little girl`s gone rockin`- Anyway the wind blows - I put a spell on you - Tell you a secret - I'm ready - Mystery train - Breaking up the house - tear it up ///// encores: making Whoopie (Martin Taylor, Georgie Fame and Beverley Skeete only), Georgia, Should have been me


New live album
Another thing just to mention is that Ripple Records now published a second live album of the Rhythm Kings, called "Bootleg Kings Ride again". As the first one (called "Bootleg Kings) this is an official cd but only sold at the concerts / venues or at Bills homepage (see "Merchandise"). Not sold in record shops ! Could be collectors items very soon ! Tracks on " Ride again" are:

  • I `m ready
  • Lead me to the water
  • Baby workout
  • Jump,Jive and Wail
  • Mystery Train
  • I'll be satisfied
  • Hello little boy
  • Baby you got what it takes
  • Georgie on my mind
All tracks recorded during the Rhythm Kings UK Tour 2000 at different places / venues !


Thanks to Arno Kluenter for information!

Monday 14 May 2001

Bill Wyman´s Rhythm Kings at Große Freiheit in Hamburg, 14.05.2001

Bill Wyman´s Rhythm Kings at Große Freiheit in Hamburg, 14.01.2001 by inesmusicpics
Bill Wyman´s Rhythm Kings at Große Freiheit in Hamburg, 14.05.2001
a photo by inesmusicpics on Flickr.

(Please click on the picture above to get to the album)
Featuring:
Bill Wyman - bass, vocals
Beverley Skeete - vocals, percussion
Albert Lee - guitar, keyboards, vocals
Terry Taylor - guitar, vocals
Martin Taylor - guitar
Graham Broad - drums, backgr vocals
Nick Payn - saxophone, flute, harmonica, backgr vocals
Frank Mead - saxophone, harmonica, percussion, vocals
Mike Sanchez - keyboards, vocals

First time at the Große Freiheit 36 in Hamburg, Germany. The stage was very high and as we like to stay front row it was difficult to see properly and take some pictures. The set was great. Albert and Martin played together on Albert´s guitar at the same time, which the audience loved. This was the first RKs-gig for Mike Sanchez for me.

Friday 11 May 2001

Aus Wiener Zeitung, CD Besprechung: Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings: Double Bill. (Ripple Records/Musica).

 

Die nackteste aller Tatsachen zuerst: Bill Wyman wurde vor allem deshalb ein Rolling Stone, weil er einen VOX AC-30 Verstärker besaß. Man war arm dran - damals, zu Beginn der 60er, als so gut wie alles begann, was den Rest des Jahrhunderts, ausgehend von Great Britain, musikalisch nicht unwesentlich prägen und bereichern sollte. Die Beatles waren schon auf Tour(en), die Stones erst im Anrollen. Noch musste man sich einen einzigen Wintermantel teilen; nebenbei war man auf der Suche nach dem kleinsten gemeinsamen musikalischen Nenner. Bill: "It was only Chuck Berry that hold me in with the band for the first weeks."

Er hätte damals, sagte er kürzlich im Interview, seine rechte Hand hergegeben, um jenes vermutlich einzige Originalgenie des Rock 'n' Roll kennen zu lernen. Und heute . . . winkt er auf die Frage der "Wiener Zeitung" nach einem eventuellen gemeinsamen Auftritt drastisch ab: "I couldn't play with Chuck Berry, because he's such a horrible man . . . He is not a nice man and I could never go on a stage with him." Schade. Im Herbst hätte man gemeinsam feiern können: Bill seinen 65er und Chuck den ganz und gar runden Siebziger.

Einerseits lag die Frage ja wirklich ganz nahe; noch näher aber liegt die nonverbale, die rein musikalische Antwort des Ex-Bassisten der Rolling Stones. Nicht dass er bei den luxuriös besetzten Rhythm Kings etwas grundsätzlich anderes täte als einst bei den Stones - Zitat aus 1974: "I just lay back and fatten the sound." Aber Musik abseits der großen Kommerzmaschinerie und also ganz nach eigener Geschmacksrichtung machen zu können, dürfte doch die Erfüllung einer seiner größeren Träume sein. Er war ja nie untätig, der Mann aus armem Elternhaus, der mit dem Rock-'n'-Roll-Leben nie besonders viel anzufangen wusste. "I'm a family man, I suppose", stellte er 1966 fest.

Und auf die immer wiederkehrende Frage, ob er die Stones verlassen werde. "I only got, into rock and roll for a bit of fun and to see the world for a couple of years. I refuse to let it dominate my life . . . I don't want to be a middle-aged rock and roller . . . I think the life is very destructive. Some can handle our lifestyle, others can't."

Heute ist er mehr Familienmensch als je zuvor, hat mit Suzanne Accosta, seiner Gattin seit 1983, drei Töchter und hält sich durch allerlei Tätigkeiten jung. Wir erinnern uns an die wohltätigen Aktivitäten der All-Star-Band Willie and The Poor Boys. Wir wissen um seine Eigentümerschaft des Londoner Restaurants Sticky Fingers und jene der Ripple Group of Companies. Er hat zwei Bücher veröffentlicht. Das eine, "Stone Alone", behandelt detailliert und von innen heraus geschrieben die Geschichte der Rolling Stones (sehr empfehlenswert).

Das zweite entstand aus seiner langjährigen Bekanntschaft mit Marc Chagall und trägt den Titel "Wyman Shoots Chagall". Am Drücker: Hobbyfotograf Bill W. Ein gerade im Entstehen begriffenes drittes soll "Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey" heißen und die Story des Blues aus seiner ganz persönlichen Sicht und Hörerfahrung zum Inhalt haben. Doch das Schreiben und Fotografieren sowie eine Auszeichnung für den besten Hamburger (im Sticky Fingers 1999) entgegen zu nehmen kann selbst für den eigefleischtesten Familienmenschen und Geschäftsmann die Musik nicht ersetzen.

Also formierte er zusammen mit seinem musikalischen Co-Autor Terry Taylor 1996 die Rhythm Kings. Auf dem Programm: Jene Mixtur aus Jazz, Blues und all ihren klingenden Babys, die Wyman einst dazu bewogen haben, zur Bassgitarre zu greifen. Geplant, getan und beim Mix aus erstbesten Musikern konnte nicht mehr allzu viel daneben gehen. Georgie Fame, Albert Lee und Gary Brooker haben ihre Meriten; dazu der Jazzgitarrist Martin Taylor und die Sängerin Beverly Skeete. Fertig war jene Band, die mittlerweile zur großen Freude der Konzertbesucher immer wieder auf Tour geht. Stolz erzählt Bill von den begeisterten Publikumsreaktionen aus aller Welt.

Kein Wunder, denkt man, wenn man sich die neue Doppel-CD der Band zu Gemüte führt. Die Spielfreude der fast nur für ein Butterbrot aufgeigenden Herren plus Dame ist genau so groß wie die musikalische Palette breit.

Es ist ein erfrischendes Grasen im Stilblüten-Garten, was einem da zu Ohren kommt; ein Auffrischen alt(ehrwürdig)er Hadern in Kombination mit neuen Songs im zeitlos-alten Stil & G'wand.
Es ist absolut nichts Neues an & in diesen Stück'ln - doch das Alte wird stilsicher & einladend serviert. Bei dieser g'sunden Mischung wird alles ziemlich gleichmäßig und abwechselnd bedient: Herz, Hirn, Tanzbein & Bauch.

Anspieltipps: "Hit That Jive Jack" - swings like hell bzw. auch hochgradige Perfektion kann ihres Reiz haben!

"Love's Down The Drain" - great rockin and timeless stuff - hohes Maß an Erotik garantiert. Bill sings!
"Trust In Me" - purer Soul, Soul in Reinkultur, âme pur. Bestärkt einen, dass fast alles im (Über-)Leben nur eine Vertrauensfrage ist.

"Bye Bye Blues" - oder anders formuliert: Hot Club de Grand-Bretagne feat. The Ladies Choir just around the corner of 52nd street. Swings like purgatory!

Apropos heiße Konzertatmosphäre: Die Rhythm Kings kommen . . .
nein, nicht in die musikalische Welthauptstadt Wien . . . doch zumindest am 20. Mai ins Orpheum nach Graz . . . und voraussichtlich im Juli zum Jazzfest nach Wiesen.

Freitag, 11. Mai 2001

Wednesday 2 May 2001

Rhythm Kings in Cheltenham/UK, 02 Mai 2001

 

Bill Wyman & The Rhythm Kings

Review by Dennis Addey

I saw Bill and Co. play their opening night, tonight in Cheltenham; (birthplace and burial site of his old friend Brian Jones). I wonder if Bill visited?
Fab night. They were definately rusty to start with. The sound balance was out (couldn't understand the vocals etc), some instruments were too loud and several members of the band were decidedly nervous. Nontheless, first night nerves were quickly overcome and they proceded to give an excellent nights entertainment. The sound engineers did their job and balanced everything off OK. Excellent value. I wish them well on their very obviously strenuous European tour.
Something was missing however, but I was not disappointed. During the very last number prior to the inevitable encore set, Bill lit his fag up. He obviously couldn't wait that last 4 or 5 minutes. I always remember him with a fag in his gob. It wouldn't be the same without the cigarette. It adds to his laid back style.
I note that they are playing near Hereford (country hotel near Holme Lacy) towards the end of their UK gig bit. I may book in for the 3 night stay to see them again. It will be well worth it. Great gig.

Tuesday 1 May 2001

Bill Wyman´s Rhythm Kings Tour - "Breaking Up The House Tour 2001

'Breaking Up The House Tour' 2001
Tue 1st May...Rehearsals
Wed 2nd May...Cheltenham- Uk
Thu 3rd May..Paradiso-Amsterdam-Holland
Fri 4th May...Moulin-Ospel-Holland
Sat 5th May...The Tobaksfabrik-Esbjerg-Denmark
Sun 6th May Konserthus-Stavinger-Norway
Mon 7th May..Konserthaus-Oslo-Norway.
Tues 8th May..off
Wed 9th May..Music Theatre-Vejle-Denmark
Thu 10th May ,Train-Aarhus-Denmark
Fri 11th May...Tivoli-Copenhagen-Denmark.
Sat 12th May..Concert Hall-Gavie-Sweden
Sun 13th May..off
Mon 14th May..Grosse Freiheit-Hamburg-Germany.
Tue 15th May..E Werk-Cologne-Germany.
Wed 16th May..Stadhalle-Lichtenfels-Germany
Thu 17th May..Vox club-Modena-Italy
Fri 18th May..Smeraldo Teatro--Milan-Italy
Sat 19th May..Sports Hall-Zagreb-Croatia.
Sun 20th May..Orpheum Theatre-Graz-Austria.
Mon 21st..Off
Tue 22nd Off
Wed 23rd May....The Hexagon-Reading-Uk
Thu 24th May..Theatre-Malvern-Uk
Fri 25th May..Opera House-Newcastle-Uk
Sat 26th May..Festival-Perth-Scotland.
Sun 27th May..Music Hall-Aberdeen-Scotland,
Mon 28th May..off
Tue 29th May,,Gaiety Theatre-Ayr-Scotland
Wed 30th May..Penningtons-Bradford-Uk
Thu 31st May..Off
Fri 1st June.The Centre-Brentwood-Uk.
Sat 2nd June..The Anvil-Basingstoke-Uk
Sun 3rd June..Theatre Royal-Bath-Uk
Mon 4th june..Road House-Covent Garden-Uk
Tue 5th June..Civic Hall-Guildford-Uk
Wed 6th June..off
Thu 7th June..off
Fri 8th June..Lewisham Theatre-London-Uk
Sat 9th June..Assembly Hall-Worthing-Uk
Sun 10th June..The Mayflower-Southampton-Uk
Mon 11th June..De Montford Hall-Leicester-Uk
Tue 12th June..Usher Hall-Edinburgh-Scotland.
Wed 13th June off.
Thu 14th June..Truro Hall-Cornwall-Uk
Fri 15th June..Queens Theatre-Barnstaple-Devon
Sat 16th June..The Hotel-Holme Lacy-Uk
Sun 17th June..The Swan-High Wycombe-Uk
Mon 18th June..Theatre Royal-Norwich-Uk
Tue 19th June..Cabot Hall-Canary Wharf-Uk
Wed 20th June...off
Thu 21st June...Assembly Halls-Tunbridge Wells-Uk
Fri 22nd June..Fairfield Halls-Croydon-Uk
Sat 23rd June..City Hall-Sheffield-Uk
Sun 24th June..off
Mon 25th June...off
Tue 26th June ..Civic-Aylesbury-Uk
Wed 27th June..off
Thu 28th June..The Stables-Milton Keynes-Uk
Fri 29th June..The Stables-Milton Keynes-Uk
Sat 30th June..St David's Hall-Cardiff-Wales.
Sun 1st July..Colston Hall-Bristol-Uk
Mon 2nd July..Opera House-Buxton-Uk
Tue 3rd July..City Hall-Salisbury-Uk
Wed 4th July..Bridgewater Hall-Manchester-Uk
Thu 5th July..off
Fri 6th July..off
Sat 7th Montreaux Festival-Switzerland.
Sun 8th July...La coruna-Spain
Mon 9th July...off
Tue 10th July..Madrid-Spain
Wed 11th July..Malaga-Spain
Thu 12th July..San Javier-Spain
Fri 13th July..Barcelona-Spain.
Fri 20th July..Samso Blues fest-Denmark
Sun 22nd July..Festival with BB King-Austria.
Wed 25th July..Nice Jazz Festival-France
Fri 27th July...Cognac Blues Festival-France
Sun 29th July..Folk Festival-Cambridge-Uk
USA Tour
Fri 3rd Aug..Trump Marina-Atlantic City-NJ
Sat 4th Aug..Jones Beach Theatre-NYC.
Sun 5th Aug..Birchmere-Alexandria-VA.
Mon 6th Aug..New York-NY
Tue 7th Aug..Mohegan Sun-Uncasville-CT.
Wed 8th Aug..Mechanics Hall-Worcester-Wicn.
Thu 9th Aug..Alive at Five Fest-Albany-NY
Fri 10th Aug..Town Hall-New York-NJ.
Sat 11th Aug..Poconos Gathering on The Mount-PA.
Sun 12th Aug..Metropol-Pittsburgh-PA.
Mon 13th Aug..Whitaker Centre-Harrisburgh-PA.
Wed 15th Aug...Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-Cleveland-OH.
Thu 16th Aug..Ice House-London-ONT.
Fri 17th aug..Ciociaro Club-Windsor-ONT.
Sat 18th Aug...Park West-Chicago-IL.
Mon 20th Aug..Music in the Zoo-Apple Valley-MN.
Wed 22nd Aug..Patowanami Casino-Milwaukee-WI.
Fri 24th Aug..Great Southern Beer Festival-Memphis-TN.