Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings revisited the Colston Hall for the third time in four years at the start of a tour, which concludes in late July in Europe, but studiously misses the month of June for the World Cup.

The tour is not a conventional one in that there is no recent album to support. There is a small matter of last year’s book entitled Bill Wyman’s Blues Odyssey and an accompanying compilation CD giving credit to original artists from the twenties to the very early fifties. But this may have explained some empty seats at the back. The audience were given a repertoire of every conceivable rock and roll music type played by a nine-piece band who each had an opportunity to shine.

Bill Wyman has never been credited with being the most enigmatic performer but his pride in his band is evident even during Mike Sanchez’s more eccentric moments. Mike plays electric piano and is their rock and roll impresario. Jitterbug Boogie was one of the early numbers that got the audience shaking a limb to the backbeat of drummer Henry Spinetti. By the time Mike had sung Flat Foot Sam, Lights Out and Chantilly Lace to conclude the set he was literally melting away. Mr Sweat as Bill calls him.

There were blues tributes to Little Walter on Too Late, Howlin’ Wolf on Down In The Bottom and Mose Allison for Days Like This. Albert Lee is no slouch with his lead guitar work and Good Morning Little School Girl was a highlight. Bill Wyman self-mockingly testified that was one tune he had not written! JJ Cale’s Anyway The Wind Blows featured the legendary Georgie Fame on Hammon organ and vocals and guitar work by Terry Taylor, Bill’s song-writing partner for 35 years. Beverly Skeete took many lead vocal spots but her performance on I Put A Spell On You was a tingling one and the excellent arrangement of this Jay Hawkins’s classic by the Rhythm Kings including the horn of Frank Mead and Nick Payne’s flute proves their musical prowess.

For the encore, the audience were reminded how Bill started out playing skiffle and the number Midnight Special enabled him to perform his only vocal moment supported by Terry on dobro steel guitar. The band then launched into Chicken Shack Boogie and concluded with a rip-roaring Tear It Up.

Star rating: * * * *
-- MARTIN ELLIOTT