Bill Wyman Covers Blues & Soul Greats — And Praises Mark Knopfler

Bill Wyman’s group the Rhythm Kings have released a new album of outtakes, Studio Time, featuring covers of Willie Dixon, Canned Heat and others, featuring many guest artists. The former Rolling Stone has also revealed his fondness for a particular gem in Mark Knopfler’s catalogue.

Studio Time features 15 outtakes from eight different sessions by the Rhythm Kings, two of them dating back as far as 1987, before the band was named as such. The unheard material has been newly mixed by Wyman and Terry Taylor, and also includes songs by Louis Jordan, Don Covay, Slim Harpo, Jimmie Rodgers and later artists such as Dan Hicks and Midnight Oil.

The album also features a solo song by the seasoned British rhythm and blues artist Georgie Fame, ‘Skiing Blues,’ and another that Fame wrote with Wyman, ‘Jazz Walk.’  The band’s core rhythm section is also joined on these recordings by such luminaries as Gary Brooker of Procol Harum, Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Stainton and Albert Lee. More information about the album is at Bill’s website.

Meanwhile, Wyman has been talking to Mojo magazine about some of his favourite music. For his all-time album choice, Wyman says it’s a toss-up between three longtime favourites. On the 1961 LP Ray Charles & Betty Carter, “the vocal intimacy between them is magic.” He goes on: “A close second is The Best Of Mose Allison, a man who crossed the blues with a lovely touch of jazz. And Dire Straits’ Communiqué has one of my very favourite tracks, ‘Once Upon A Time In The West.’

Wyman names Norwegian singer Sigrid among his current listening, and names his friend Chris Rea’s ‘Road To Hell’ as his favourite Saturday night record. Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones’ ‘Makin’ Whoopee’ gets his Sunday morning vote.

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Format: UK English