News

Edsel has continued its series of mini-box sets dedicated to Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings with a recently-released third volume.  The Kings of Rhythm Volume 3: Tell You a Secret collects four albums originally issued between 2003 and 2011 by the legendary Rolling Stones bassist’s rhythm-and-blues-rock big band.  This new box follows previous releases in the label’s Bill Wyman’s Recording Archive series including White Lightnin’: The Solo Box and The Complete Willie and the Poor Boys.

The first Rhythm Kings volume featured the albums Struttin’ Our Stuff (1997) and Anyway the Wind Blows (1999) plus Bootleg Kings releases Live in Europe, from the band’s 1998 tour, and Ride Again, from its 2000 jaunt.  That release was followed by Volume 2, with Groovin’ (2000) and the double album appropriately entitled Double Bill (2001) plus The Bootleg Kings’ Trav’lin’ Band, capturing the 2001 tour.  Volume 3 brings The Rhythm Kings’ story up-to-date with Just for a Thrill (2004), Live (2005), Live Communication (2011) and the long-unavailable Bootleg Kings set On the Road Again (recorded in 2001-2002).

Though Wyman’s Rhythm Kings have a core rhythm section, all-star guest artists front the band.  Volume 1 featured performance turns by Gary Brooker, Georgie Fame, Albert Lee, Paul Carrack, Chris Rea, Andy Fairweather-Low, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Nicky Hopkins, Mick Taylor and others.  Volume 2 welcomed back the talents of Brooker, Fame, Lee, Fairweather-Low, Rea and Taylor, and even boasted the presence of George Harrison!  Volume 3 has Wyman’s collaborations with mainstays Brooker, Fame, Lee and Fairweather-Low as well as Mark Knopfler and Lonnie Donegan, among others.

On this 4-CD set, the Rhythm Kings work their way through original songs as well as a number of familiar and diverse rock, R&B and pop staples such as “Hit the Road, Jack,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Taxman,” “That’s How Heartaches Are Made,” “Midnight Special,” “Chantilly Lace,” “I Got a Woman,” “Drown in My Own Tears,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Crying in the Rain,” “Unchain My Heart,” and “Louisiana 1927.”  Wyman revisits “Melody” from The Rolling Stones’ Black and Blue plus “Down Home Girl,” covered by the Stones on No. 2, but here with “horns and girls,” as he accurately puts it!

Happily, Volume 3: Tell You a Secret makes certain that Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings are a secret no more.  The compact-sized box set (also available in digital download format) features a thick, 36-page booklet with full credits and new liner notes by Tony Rounce.  Phil Kinrade has mastered for CD.  Though Wyman is no longer rolling with the Stones, you’ll doubtless get plenty of satisfaction from his recent, rich musical journeys.  (And while you’re in London, don’t miss out on his old band’s Exhibitionism – a new, immersive tour through Stones history at the Saatchi Gallery!)  You can order Edsel’s new set at the links below!

Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Volume 3: Tell You a Secret (Edsel EDSB4031, 2016) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Just for a Thrill

1. Disappearing Nightly
2. Roll ‘Em Pete
3. Down Home Girl
4. Mississippi Flyer
5. That’s How Heartaches Are Made
6. Booty Ooty
7. Cadillac Woman
8. Town Living
9. This Ain’t United Nations
10. Memphis Woman
11. Taxman
12. Just for a Thrill
13. Cry Baby
14. You Don’t Know What You Mean to Me
15. I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More) (Bonus Track)
16. Hit the Road Jack (Live) (Bonus Track)
17. Georgia on My Mind (Live) (Bonus Track)

CD 2: Bootleg Kings, On the Road Again

1. Down in the Bottom
2. O.S.
3. Too Late
4. Trust in Me
5. Jump, Jive and Wail
6. Days Like This
7. He’s a Real Gone Guy
8. Kiddio
9. Midnight Special
10. Lights Out
11. Chantilly Lace
12. Melody (Bonus Track)
13. Frankie and Johnny (Bonus Track)

CD 3: Live

1. I Got a Woman
2. Jump, Jive and Wail
3. Baby Workout
4. If I Can’t Have You
5. Jitterbug Boogie
6. Bright Lights, Big City
7. Muleskinner Blues
8. You Never Can Tell
9. Taxman
10. Race with the Devil
11. I Shall Not Be Moved
12. Disappearing Nightly
13. Flatfoot Sam
14. I’ll Be Satisfied
15. Let’s Talk It Over
16. Wild One (Real Wild Child)
17. Roll ‘Em Pete

CD 4: Bootleg Kings, Live Communication

1. She’s Looking Good
2. Unchain My Heart
3. All Night Long
4. I’ll Drown in My Own Tears
5. That’s Better for Me
6. Harlem Shuffle
7. Louisiana 1927
8. Show Me
9. Too Late
10. I Don’t Need No Doctor
11. Johnny B. Goode
12. That is Rock and Roll
13. Crying in the Rain