BILL WYMAN'S RHYTHM KINGS, CITY HALL, SALISBURY

THIS was number 26 out of 36 of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings tour venues and the City Hall welcomed his return with not a spare seat in the house.

And he brought with him as special guest all the way from America – Mary Wilson of The Supremes fame.

On stage with Bill were eight musicians and six vocalists with exceptional musical pedigrees and the band provided an eclectic mix of musical styles ranging from rhythm and blues, soul, rockabilly, blues, jazz, country, rock and jump. Added to this was Motown, courtesy of Mary Wilson.

There were many high points during the show beginning with Georgie Fame on his Hammond organ belting out I’ve Got a Woman. Two great duets from Mary Wilson and Georgie Fame with Stormy Weather and Beverley Skeet and Albert Lee with the Everly Brothers song, So Sad. Coupling this with the high energy radiating from the stage when the band played as a unit made for a fabulous evening.

Songs such as Three Cool Cats, the Coasters classic featuring a memorable Frank Mead sax solo and Albert Lee singing Lonnie Donegan’s Mule Skinner Blues. A soulful Beverley Skeet singing the James Brown classic It’s a Man’s World silenced the audience and band.

Mary Wilson’s contribution was immense, reintroducing a medley of Supremes favourites from Baby Love to You Can’t Hurry Love as well as a beautiful version of the Nora Jones song, Don’t Know Why.

Bill Wyman did what he always did as a member of the Rolling Stones, standing at the back of the stage and laying down the bass rhythm while letting all the showbusiness go on in front of him.

Pete Gregory