CityLife

Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings

Rhythm Kings
Bridgewater Hall
November 25, 2009

BLUES, soul, rock, jazz, or Cajun - you name it, the very adaptable Rhythm Kings can play it.

This vast family of musicians, led by rock ‘n’ roll icon, author, and restaurateur Bill Wyman, now 73, gave their own take on popular songs from the turn of last century through to the 1970s.

The jewel in the Kings' crown is Beverley Skeete, their only female member, and a vocalist of such range and depth that the hall trembled when she sang. She made Wilson Pickett’s Sweet Soul Music look effortless.

The soulful Gary ‘US’ Bonds was the guest singer, and was so in sync with the band that it is hard to imagine the Rhythm Kings without him.

Unlike previous performances, Wyman stepped out of the shadows to sing three songs, including the Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Woman, which was a high point for many.

But this was surpassed by Skeete as she took centre stage with Albert Lee, who laid down his guitar in favour of piano to accompany her in a heart-rending version of The Everley Brothers’ Crying in the Rain. This was followed by her stunning rendition of Nina Simone’s I Put A Spell On You.

It was a wonderful, stomping, clapping night, and the variety of songs proved the range of Wyman and his band.