DAILY POST NORTH WALES
It is as far from a Rolling Stones’ gig as you could ever imagine but Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings still have audiences cheering, whistling, singing along and rocking in the aisles - they also have them laughing.
The Stones’ bass guitarists sets the tone telling the audience it will be an evening of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, pop, Motown and more besides. "We want you to go home with a smile on your face," he grins and that is exactly what happened - the audience was still buzzing and singing as they spilled onto the street. They even joined in an impromptu serenade of Happy Birthday To You for Wyman.
There are jokes and antics, a near unimaginable range of music from a dozen eras performed by some of the very best in their fields, together with an explosive performance from guest star, former Supreme Mary Wilson.
The songs and music just comes at you from the stage in a non-stop wave of the familiar, the not so familiar and some fine interpretations of classic rock and blues. It is an excellent recipe for a feel-good night of music and song.
For the record, Wyman’s Rhythm Kings include Welsh keyboard wizard - and Bob Dylan’s favourite pianist - Geraint Watkins, legendry Leigh-born jazz and blues organist Georgie Fame, guitarists Albert Lee and Terry Taylor, drummer Graham Broad, saxophonists Frank Mead and Nick Payn and vocalist Beverley Skeete.
Each one of the Kings could carry a show on their own. Together they provide all the complimentary and most of the contrasting options you could wish to hear.
Even after five decades Fame - still better known by this fellow Leyther (Leigh-born) as Clive Powell - defies the years and passing music styles. His duet with Wilson on Billie Holiday’s iconic Stormy Weather is worth the ticket price alone, as is the duet, with Lee and Skeete singing the Everley Brothers’ classic, So Sad - not far behind is Wilson belting out Dancing In The Street, Martha & the Vandellas’ Motown anthem.
While all this is going on Wyman remains the consummate professional, rarely taking centre stage but doing what he does best - providing the bass base for others to build on.
It’s now almost 15 years since Wyman formed the Rhythm Kings and there seem little sign of their popularity waning - nor the songs they choose. Long may it continue. The music and their individual interpretations are far too good to fade away and you will wait a long time to see a band enjoying every minute of a show and doing what they do so well - play great music and entertain audiences. Excellent.
________________
Comment by Jilly: That review is about as accurate as you can get - I don't think anyone can improve on that one! Sounds almost as good as Dorking .....
