Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Clasgow Royal Concert Hall
Star rating:
**
It was a little disappointing to feel so sort-changed by a band of the calibre of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. Here was a group of musicians who, had they been allowed to stretch themselves, could have provided an evening to remember. But they played so far within their capabilities as to be rendered virtually invisible.
Take Albert King, for example, surely one of the great finger-picking guitarists of all time. The last time I saw them, he had Martin Taylor to play off and the sparks positively flew. Here, he was reduced to playing anonymous rhythm parts for far too many of these songs.
The material didn't help. We were in Jools Holland territory here. Safe R&B, with nothing too challenging, everything neatly packaged into three minutes and all the passion of a Las Vegas review. Beverly Skeet is an excellent vocalist, however, who contributed to the few highlights, such as her take on I Put a Spell on You and her duet with Lee on Crying in the Rain. Drummer Graham Broad and Wyman locked together well throughout and shone in the closer, Tear It Up, which had everything the preceding 90 minutes lacked. A pity it came so late.
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Posted by: Stringman on 8:55am Mon 4 Feb 08
Albert KING? Albert Lee maybe. And if so, he isn't a fingerstyle guitarist at all. He plays hybrid - as anyone who has ever cursed his 'teach yourself' vids/DVDs would tell you.
Albert KING? Albert Lee maybe. And if so, he isn't a fingerstyle guitarist at all. He plays hybrid - as anyone who has ever cursed his 'teach yourself' vids/DVDs would tell you.
Posted by: paulgarb, Edinburgh on 9:14am Mon 4 Feb 08
I can't help but feel the reviewer is missing the point here - the audience clearly loved it, the band enjoyed themselves, Dennis Lacorriere was a revelation and, as usual, the sax players (Frank & Nick) played a real blinder. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I can't help but feel the reviewer is missing the point here - the audience clearly loved it, the band enjoyed themselves, Dennis Lacorriere was a revelation and, as usual, the sax players (Frank & Nick) played a real blinder. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Posted by: jimp, Maybole Ayrshire on 9:57am Mon 4 Feb 08
I agree with paulgarb quite clearly the band obviously enjoyed themselves, each and every member of the audience (except one) had a most enjoyable night. This was my first experience of the Rhythm Kings and it certainly won`t` be my last
I agree with paulgarb quite clearly the band obviously enjoyed themselves, each and every member of the audience (except one) had a most enjoyable night. This was my first experience of the Rhythm Kings and it certainly won`t` be my last
Posted by: ianmayor, York on 11:46am Mon 4 Feb 08
I've seen the Rhythm Kings several times and never, but [bold]never[/bold] been short-changed. Certainly, on occasions, everyone can have an off-form night, we're all human. However, to refer to playing well within themselves implies the band was coasting. I find it very difficult indeed to to think that musicians of their standing - who don't have to to what they do with the Rhythm Kings - would be content with coasting.
And as for the reference to challenging material, and the cross-reference to Jools Holland and his band, then think again Mr Reviewer. If you knew the calibre of musicianship that goes into the arrangements and the skill involved, then you might realise that bands that spend so long on the road need to have a musical challenge in the material to ensure they have fun and fulfilment when they play on the road so much.
If they didn't enjoy it because the material is too unstimulating, top flight musicians wouldn't have much problem getting a gig with other bands and artists, so they wouldn't hang around.
Perhaps our reviewer was just listening well within himself and short-changed himself as a consequence!
I've seen the Rhythm Kings several times and never, but
never been short-changed. Certainly, on occasions, everyone can have an off-form night, we're all human. However, to refer to playing well within themselves implies the band was coasting. I find it very difficult indeed to to think that musicians of their standing - who don't have to to what they do with the Rhythm Kings - would be content with coasting.
And as for the reference to challenging material, and the cross-reference to Jools Holland and his band, then think again Mr Reviewer. If you knew the calibre of musicianship that goes into the arrangements and the skill involved, then you might realise that bands that spend so long on the road need to have a musical challenge in the material to ensure they have fun and fulfilment when they play on the road so much.
If they didn't enjoy it because the material is too unstimulating, top flight musicians wouldn't have much problem getting a gig with other bands and artists, so they wouldn't hang around.
Perhaps our reviewer was just listening well within himself and short-changed himself as a consequence!
Posted by: ianmayor, York on 11:49am Mon 4 Feb 08
I've seen the Rhythm Kings several times and never, but [bold]never[/bold] been short-changed. Certainly, on occasions, everyone can have an off-form night, we're all human. However, to refer to playing well within themselves implies the band was coasting. I find it very difficult indeed to to think that musicians of their standing - who don't have to to what they do with the Rhythm Kings - would be content with coasting.
And as for the reference to challenging material, and the cross-reference to Jools Holland and his band, then think again Mr Reviewer. If you knew the calibre of musicianship that goes into the arrangements and the skill involved, then you might realise that bands that spend so long on the road need to have a musical challenge in the material to ensure they have fun and fulfilment when they play on the road so much.
If they didn't enjoy it because the material is too unstimulating, top flight musicians wouldn't have much problem getting a gig with other bands and artists, so they wouldn't hang around.
Perhaps our reviewer was just listening well within himself and short-changed himself as a consequence!
I've seen the Rhythm Kings several times and never, but
never been short-changed. Certainly, on occasions, everyone can have an off-form night, we're all human. However, to refer to playing well within themselves implies the band was coasting. I find it very difficult indeed to to think that musicians of their standing - who don't have to to what they do with the Rhythm Kings - would be content with coasting.
And as for the reference to challenging material, and the cross-reference to Jools Holland and his band, then think again Mr Reviewer. If you knew the calibre of musicianship that goes into the arrangements and the skill involved, then you might realise that bands that spend so long on the road need to have a musical challenge in the material to ensure they have fun and fulfilment when they play on the road so much.
If they didn't enjoy it because the material is too unstimulating, top flight musicians wouldn't have much problem getting a gig with other bands and artists, so they wouldn't hang around.
Perhaps our reviewer was just listening well within himself and short-changed himself as a consequence!
Posted by: albert pickles, York on 3:22pm Mon 4 Feb 08
Personally I thought it was a great night and the real discovery for me was the opening act Jeff Lang. Having been a long-time John Butler fan I thought Jeff's playing was a revelation and good to see him enjoyed by such an appreciative crowd. Not a bad bass player too, as I'm sure Mr. Wyman may have noted.
Personally I thought it was a great night and the real discovery for me was the opening act Jeff Lang. Having been a long-time John Butler fan I thought Jeff's playing was a revelation and good to see him enjoyed by such an appreciative crowd. Not a bad bass player too, as I'm sure Mr. Wyman may have noted.
Posted by: Factor1, Glasgow on 6:45pm Mon 4 Feb 08
I must be in a minority of one. I also have seen the band several times and would consider myself a fan. The concert on Saturday was by far the least satisfactory, not helped admittedly by the venue.
No band can lose members of the calibre of Georgy Fame, Martin Tayor and Gary Brooker without a detrimental effect, although Mike Sanchez was an able replacement for Brooker. Sadly he has also departed. What they provided was a variety that was sorely lacking the other night.
Dennis from Dr Hook added nothing except to fan his own vanity. Beverly Skeet was underused, presumably to accomodate Dennis.
The brass section almost retrieved the whole thing, but only almost.
For once the Herald reviewer got it bang on in my opinion
I must be in a minority of one. I also have seen the band several times and would consider myself a fan. The concert on Saturday was by far the least satisfactory, not helped admittedly by the venue.
No band can lose members of the calibre of Georgy Fame, Martin Tayor and Gary Brooker without a detrimental effect, although Mike Sanchez was an able replacement for Brooker. Sadly he has also departed. What they provided was a variety that was sorely lacking the other night.
Dennis from Dr Hook added nothing except to fan his own vanity. Beverly Skeet was underused, presumably to accomodate Dennis.
The brass section almost retrieved the whole thing, but only almost.
For once the Herald reviewer got it bang on in my opinion
Posted by: BigAl, Balloch, Loch Lomond on 11:26pm Tue 5 Feb 08
It was worth going to the Conert Hall if only to see Dennis Lacorriere. He was bopping all evening, obviously enjoying himself, and brilliantly entetaining. I thought Mick Jagger was a bit average - but not bad for his age I suppose.
It was worth going to the Conert Hall if only to see Dennis Lacorriere. He was bopping all evening, obviously enjoying himself, and brilliantly entetaining. I thought Mick Jagger was a bit average - but not bad for his age I suppose.
Posted by: BigAl, Balloch, Loch Lomond on 11:27pm Tue 5 Feb 08
- even entertaining- oops
- even entertaining- oops
Posted by: parky, Leith on 11:10am Thu 7 Feb 08
there is a big question -who on earth is Stuart morrison ?
he had some off target folk reviews as well
there is a big question -who on earth is Stuart morrison ?
he had some off target folk reviews as well
Posted by: parky, Leith on 11:11am Thu 7 Feb 08
there is a big question -who on earth is Stuart morrison ?
he had some off target folk reviews as well
there is a big question -who on earth is Stuart morrison ?
he had some off target folk reviews as well
Posted by: Iain Mackenzie on 11:11am Mon 11 Feb 08
Mick Jagger? Did I miss something, Big Al?
Mick Jagger? Did I miss something, Big Al?
Posted by: rocknroll721, South Lanarkshire on 6:32pm Tue 13 May 08
I was at the Glasgow concert and I had a wonderful night and thoroughly enjoyed everyone on stage especially Dennis, Beverly, Frank & Nick. If this concert failed in comparison to usual Rhythm Kings concerts I would not know as this was my first time seeing this excellent band.
However, my point is this: any so-called journalist who could mistake Albert Lee and Albert King clearly knows nothing about music and I would strongly advise everyone to disregard the opinions of this joker and to avoid anything that he writes in the future since he does not deserve to have his inaccurate waffle published.
Rant over.
I was at the Glasgow concert and I had a wonderful night and thoroughly enjoyed everyone on stage especially Dennis, Beverly, Frank & Nick. If this concert failed in comparison to usual Rhythm Kings concerts I would not know as this was my first time seeing this excellent band.
However, my point is this: any so-called journalist who could mistake Albert Lee and Albert King clearly knows nothing about music and I would strongly advise everyone to disregard the opinions of this joker and to avoid anything that he writes in the future since he does not deserve to have his inaccurate waffle published.
Rant over.
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