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Amazon.co.uk Review
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. Of the singers, Beverley Skeete sometimes adopts too much of a vibrato warble and the voice of Georgie Fame is a taste not easily acquired by some, leaving the husky-throated Gary Brooker to deliver most of the best lines. The backing chorus vocals are invariably too smoothly harmonised, almost sounding like The Andrews Sisters. Actually, the strongest vocal take comes courtesy of Adrian Byron-Burns, rasping heartily through Wyman's own "Rollin' & Stumblin'". Overall, the low-reverb production style will be far too prissy for most lovers of low-down dirty boogie, tending towards a certain stiff-upper-lipped bluesology. Full marks for the repertoire and technique, though. --Martin Longley
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Practically everything that can be said about this album is already in Amazon's own review. The album is a joy to listen to and almost all the tracks are great foot-tappin'stuff. In Bill Wyman's own words, he spent hours ("hours?") selecting the songs. Makes you wonder what he might have come up with if he had spent a few days. As it is, a few minutes' further selection, eliminating the nice-but-not-truly-great songs and getting the number down to a one cd-level might have produced an even greater cd. But then this selection process might well have meant scrapping a few of his own lead-vocalizing efforts which is of course never easy. Rumour has it that there is a (hard tot get) cd on the market called "Bootleg Kings" containing concert recordings that have been called 'steaming'. Perhaps a little of that steam might be allowed to rub off on the Rhytm King's next studio effort, because rarely if ever are the soloists allowed to divert from the safe and often brief solo-arrangements. But let's not get too critical: the songs and the renderings are on average way above what you will get anywhere else and this is an album to listen to over and over again.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This latest package from these old rockers is nothing short of fantastic. With this many great musicians to call on Bill Wyman has produced this double album that should appeal to all the old Stone's, blues and rock 'n' roll fans alike. I've now started back tracking to pick up the earlier CD's by Bill and the boys
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bill's fourth Rhythm Kings album to date and by far his best. It is a brilliant and eclectic mix of music, that only a band with such talent in depth could pull off. From the beauty of George Harrison's guitar solo on Love letters to the wit of My Handy Man to the exhuberance of The Joint is Jumping there is not a bad track, and a number of brilliant ones! It's the sort of album that you can play whatever your mood, it will fit. Great songs, great musicians and great playing = Bill's Double Bill. Try and catch them on tour, they are fantastic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bill Wyman at his best
Really good double album from the Rythem Kings, saw them recently live but I think this is some of there older stuff and maybe
a different line up , but Albert Lee`s guitar is... Read more
a different line up , but Albert Lee`s guitar is... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Steven Reid
Double value from double top Double Bill
Here is a collection of favourites played by enthusiasts having a good time. And we are privileged to be able to enjoy listening to them again and again. Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by R. F. Stevens
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