Bill Wyman - Monkey Grip

Bass Stone tests the solo water, with indifferent results

These reissues see the former Stones bassist’s back catalogue restored to the racks as ‘The Bill Wyman Collection’. But if the world listened in 1974 (when Monkey Grip appeared) because of Wyman’s superstar day job, the songs have to stand on their own merits now. Bill was no great vocalist (though that never stopped Keith Richards), but the nine songs on his solo debut, padded out by four bonus tracks and as many single edits, are mostly one-idea sketches embellished by Leon Russell, Dr John and other friends. Best is when Wyman goes retro for the likes of White Lightnin’, which sounds traditional American, despite being self-penned. 1976’s Stone Alone continued the pattern, mixing in genuine oldies like Gary US Bonds’ Quarter To Three for good measure, while the final, Bill Wyman, from 1981, contained a second successful single in (Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star. Though he was trying something new, excessive synthesiser use means this has worn less well than its less ambitious predecessors. As the recent Bootleg Kings compilation shows, Bill’s recent role as bandleader/benevolent dictator of the Rhythm Kings has produced far happier results.

Castle | CMRCD 1362

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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