Bill Wyman

Bill Wyman's first solo album was an unexpectedly lighthearted affair, much closer to the music of Ringo Starr than the music of, say, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It's somewhat more tuned in to down-home roots influences than Ringo's solo work ever was, but at the same time, it's not exactly a goldmine for those whose expectations might have been raised by the genuine excellence of the one Wyman song ("In Another Land") that was allowed on a proper Rolling Stones album. Instead, Wyman winds his way through affable, wryly humorous songs with nods to hillbilly music ("Pussy"), New Orleans R&B (abetted by guests Dr. John and Leon Russell), and rustic folk-rock of the British variety ("White Lightnin'"). Though the record has a pleasant vibe, Wyman's songwriting is on the bland side, and his vocals fairly colorless. It's safe to say that it would not have been revived for an expanded CD edition if not for his association with the Rolling Stones, but for those who do want more, the 2006 expanded version on Castle adds historical liner notes and eight bonus tracks. Four of those bonus cuts are simply edits (of "Monkey Grip Glue" and "What a Blow") and mixes ("White Lightnin'" and "Pussy") that appeared on the single versions of those tracks. The other four are more interesting, however, as these are outtakes of songs that didn't make the album in any form. They include an early, instrumental funk-rocking version of "Wine & Wimmen" (which would be re-recorded for Wyman's second LP, Stone Alone); the wistful "It's Just a Matter of Time," which would have been one of the better songs on the record had it made the cut; the fast instrumental shuffle-boogie "If You've Got the Feeling"; and another instrumental, "Five Card Stud," with an amiable R&B-rock groove. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide