Live Review: Bill Wyman
Nov 28 2011 |
Written by
m.j.91
Town Hall
09/11/11
Last week saw the return of rock and roll icon Bill Wyman to Birmingham’s Town Hall. The former Rolling Stones bassist was joined by his band The Rhythm Kings, an eclectic set of musicians including legendary singer/keyboardist Georgie Fame and renowned guitarist Albert Lee. At first, Wyman introduced each of his band in turn, but as the evening went on he seemed content to sit back from the limelight, his solid bass-playing a foundation stone for the performances of the musicians around him.
The set list was a diverse one, featuring a roasting selection of songs from throughout the 50s and 60s; rock and roll, rhythm and blues, a tribute to ‘Skiffle King’ Lonnie Donegan, even a taste of traditional 1920s jazz, featuring the two sax players in constant mischievous cahoots. Just when it seemed the stage couldn’t hold any more musicians, special guest Mary Wilson, original member of The Supremes, appeared for a storming performance of Stop! In the Name of Love, a natural crowd-pleaser, followed by a beautiful duet of Stormy Weather with Georgie Fame.
The audience was plunged into the second half with a gorgeously rich rendition of Man’s World from vocalist Beverley Skeet, perfectly accompanied with precision guitar picking, sensitive piano and epically complex drum fills. Another highlight was a slow and soulful performance of Don’t Know Why, most famously covered by Norah Jones in 2002, followed by a contrasting return to a 1970s Motown sound.
It was unusual to watch these famous, feel-good, essentially dance-oriented tunes whilst sitting in a concert hall. Indeed, the majority of the audience was of the age to remember these songs being in the charts, but Mary Wilson’s return for a finale of Dancing in the Street coaxed everyone to their feet, making the middle aged couple dancing on the top circle less of a bizarre sight.
Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings can certainly be admired for performing such a variety of iconic music for, in his words, ‘just a bit of fun,’ something that outlines Wyman’s dedicated love of playing. Though some songs are starting to show their age and perhaps don’t have the edge over some modern interpretations, there are still those tunes that remain immortal: even if you have to head to 70s nightclub Flares to hear them, somehow everyone in our generation can sing every word.
Written by: Anna Lumsden
Shortlink: http://redbrick.me/31202
Written by
m.j.91
on Nov 28 2011. Filed under Live Reviews, Music.
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