After listening to the shows from "Handsome Girls" and the fine collection of 1981 performances from Rockpassion, these were Bill Wyman's finest onstage moments. The guy finally started displaying his melodic sense, and wasn't afraid to even show off a bit.

This is NOT meant to start another "Wyman vs Darryl Jones" debate, OK? That would be pointless.

What is so ironic is that at the time of the shows, Wyman's stoic presence onstage also made people ignore his extraordinary talent. Now, 20+ years later, Bill is finally getting the recognition he fully deserves.

Speaking of 1981, it is also apparent that the whole band was on top of its game, with the strange exception of Mick Jagger. He seemed to be more concerned with "making show" rather than the quality of his vocals. Anyone else agree with this point?

I very much agree with your assessment of Bill's playing on the 81 tour. I must re-watch my old vhs copy of Let's spend the night together to really appreciate it. Mick sure put on a show but from what I heard he really was screaming and blowing out his voice. Could this be attributed to the use of the wireless mic and stage monitors?

I sing in a band and I know what happens to singers when they can't hear themselves above the band...The try and sing harder and louder to be heard. This leads to more shouting than singing and doing it night after night blows out the voice. Proper breathing is essential as well. I have a feeling the mix he was hearing had a little bit to do with the vocals. If you look today Mick wears wireless in ear monitors that provide his own mix, this has helped him stay in pitch and concentrate on communicating the lyrics imo.

Bill's always been an underrated bass player. He's no John Entwistle or Jack Bruce, but he always provided a solid foundation to the Stones' sound. I think the fact that he always looked so disinterested in what he was doing contributed to the fact that his musicianship was overlooked. I have to say, though, that when I saw him on stage with his band the Rhythm Kings, he looked like he was having more fun than he ever did with the Stones.

I wonder what Wyman thinks about ABB? I could see how Wyman wouldn't think much of Voodoo or Bridges, but ABB does seem to have a style closer to what may appeal to Wyman.

It's kind of sad, but it seems many have begun to forget about Bill. If the average person not knowing much about the Stones were to read the IORR board, they probably would get the impression that it was Mick Taylor who played with them over 30 years and Wyman was the short-term player!

Although I like Daryl Jones' bass playing, I think it is a real shame Wyman no longer believes in the Stones. The least he could do is play in the studio and help temper the Mick-Keith show as it appears Ronnie has been written out of the creative process.

Anyone who doesn't think the Stones miss Billy's lyrical lines just don't understand the dynamics this band once enjoyed. He is SORELY missed.

I don't think Wyman is underrated at all, as it is widely known, especially under musicians, that Wyman and Watts were the engine behind the Stones. They made the Stones swing and groove. Without Wyman and Watts, no Stones. Simple as that. Especially on the '75, 78 and 81 tours, they were even more crucial to the sound than Keith Richards.

Mathijs

Wyman is awesome on many tunes. Two that stand out to me are the studio "Miss You" and the live "Just My Imagination". Long live Bill!

> "I wonder what Wyman thinks about ABB? I could see how Wyman wouldn't think
> much of Voodoo or Bridges, but ABB does seem to have a style closer to
> what>may appeal to Wyman."


In Czech newspaper MFDnes interview on 29.9.05 (Rhythm Kings just played in Prague), Wyman said that he was not impressed by ABB: "the album does not go in the direction I like [...] There are some good songs on their records [after 1990] but very few really strong, unforgettable ones. But what do you want after 40 years?"