Gig review: Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 20:54

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL ***

WHILE some might suggest that the headline artist of this old-fashioned blues and rock 'n' roll revue is the weak link in an otherwise capable band, the uncharitable might go so far as to say he's a detriment to their show. Witness, for example, Bill Wyman's vocal on a version of his old band's Honky Tonk Women: it made Ringo Starr sound like Robert Plant. There was also an anecdote about George Harrison being invited to contribute to one of Wyman's albums, but declining as Wyman has two great guitarists in Albert Lee and Martin Taylor. Or Martin Lee and Albert Taylor, as Wyman put it.

Still, at least the bass-playing was good. He managed a good anecdote or two, as well, despite possessing a somewhat inert style of showmanship that's the polar opposite of Mick Jagger's.

"This next song's by a hero of mine," he said, "who I would have given my right arm to meet when I was young. And when I did it was the biggest disappointment of my life. He's a nasty piece of work. I was glad I kept my right arm." The piece of work himself stays unnamed. The song, however, is Chuck Berry's You Never Can Tell.

Among the supporting cast were keyboard player Georgie Fame, who based a lovely, low-key version of Just For a Thrill on Ray Charles's popular reading, and singer Gary Anderson, who formerly recorded as Gary US Bonds. His description of the track Quarter to Three as "an oldie but a mouldy" is unnecessarily self-deprecating; the song was a US number one in 1961. Despite the billing, it was these artists who owned this show.