Catch concert and win CD of Wyman

No one could argue that the former bassist with one of the most influential British bands of all time - The Rolling Stones - lacks experience, having played with the group for 30 years.

The band were responsible for a wealth of hits from the 60s right through to the present day - including such greats as I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Woman and Brown Sugar.

They recently enjoyed success with a sell-out world-wide greatest hits tour on the back of their Forty Licks best of compilation album.

Now, Wyman - who has his own Sticky Fingers restaurant business - will be mirroring the success of his former band when he comes to the Malvern Theatres on Wednesday, October 6, for a sell-out concert with his group The Rhythm Kings.

The bassist - who has written books on his former band and on blues music - formed the band two years after leaving The Rolling Stones, in 1995, and their first album release came in October 1997 and sold better than the new group had anticipated.

The group - which includes the legendary vocalist Georgie Fame, who rose to fame in the 60s along with his band, The Blue Flames - decided to then play a few gigs in clubs in northern Europe, with audiences of around 1,000 people.

Leominster-born musician Albert Lee is also in the band's line-up and has toured with a mass of big names, including Don Everly, Emmylou Harris, Joan Armatrading and Eric Clapton.

Fellow guitarist in the band, Gary Brooker, was a founder member of Procul Harum, whose smash debut hit Whiter Shade of Pale topped the charts in May 1967.

The star-studded line-up also comprises lead vocalists Beverley Skeete and Mike Sanchez, Terry Taylor on guitars, Graham Broad on drums and the horn section of Frank Mead and Mick Payn - with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame also contributing to their latest album.

In October 1998, their second album was released and they received rave reviews after carrying out a three-week tour of northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Further success followed, along with another three albums - their latest, Just for A Thrill, released in May this year.

The band's gig in Malvern is part of a UK tour to promote the album. Audiences are set to be thrilled as the group delve deep into their musical roots to provide a musical treat, blending together blues, jazz R&B and rock in only the way that a collective of skilled rockers can.

Tickets for the Malvern leg of the tour are now sold out.

THE Evening News has 10 copies of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings album Just for a Thrill to give away.

The latest 15-track offering from the band sees them in fine form, mixing up old and new songs, aided by top guests such as Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame on guitar.

Tracks included a stunning version of The Beatles' classic Taxman, from the Liverpudlian group's acclaimed Revolver album, Skeete's powerful vocals doing it justice - and title track Just for A Thrill, an early classic for Ray Charles.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy, answer the following question:

What legendary band was Bill Wyman in and what instrument did he play?

Answers should be sent, together with your name and address, to:

Bill Wyman CD competition,

Nightlife, Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX. Entries should reach us by no later than Friday, October 8.

Soul brothers celebrate anniversary

POPULAR soul band Blind Lemon will be returning to their roots tonight with a gig at Worcester's Bar Bamboo, on Tybridge Street, to mark their 11th birthday.

It has been a record year for the six-piece outfit who have played dozens of gigs throughout the Midlands including a benefit concert for Tom Moody, the former Australian international cricketer and now coach at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

They will be playing a selection of new tunes at the venue tonight to celebrate their big day.

The group, founded by guitarist Nick McCarthy in Worcester in 1993, also includes Rob Allen (keyboards), Tim Pickering (sax), Richard Morgan (bass), Danny Koisser (drums) and Mark Pearsall (vocals).

"We've plenty of new material which will be given an airing for the first time and we're delighted to be asked back to the venue," said Nick McCarthy.

Tickets for the gig, which cost £5, are available by contacting Bar Bamboo on 01905 429800.

Alternatively, log onto www.blindlemon.co.uk

The band can also be caught at Drummonds in Worcester when they play there on Friday, October 15.

Sexsmith the songsmith

HIGHLY-acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith is set to visit Worcester next week for a gig at the city's Huntingdon Hall.

The concert - at 8pm on Tuesday, October 5 - is part of a major UK tour by the singer to promote his new album Retriever, released earlier this year.

Ron started his first band at the age of 14 and, within a few years earned his first regular gig at a local club.

Influenced by Pete Seeger, he began making the rounds on the folk circuit but soon decided to focus his attentions on becoming a songwriter.

His latest album features contributions from Ed Harcourt on keyboards and Travis's Neil Primrose and is brimming with heartfelt tunes.

And the musician has earnt admiration and praise from a whole host of artists including Elton John and Rod Stewart - who have covered some of his songs - and Coldplay's Chris Martin - who has recorded with him.

Tickets for Tuesday's concert are £15, available by calling the box office on 01905 611427.

REVIEWS

with Joby Mullens

RADIO - ROBBIE WILLIAMS

(out October 4)

The darling of the British pop industry has turned the clock back to the early 1980s for what is certainly his most unusual offering to date.

You can't help think he is having a laugh with what sounds like a dated early Human League record or maybe Ultravox, pre Midge Ure.

However, you can't dispute it is catchy and will almost certainly keep current fans happy while possibly luring in those in their late 30s hoping for an unlikely New Romantic revival.

IAN BROUDIE - TALES TOLD

(out October 11)

LIVERPUDLIAN musician Ian Broudie appears to drop down a gear with every reincarnation in the music world - from being a member of punk group Big In Japan in the seventies before earning considerable acclaim with 90s pop band The Lightning Seeds (who can forget Euro 1996 anthem Three Lions?).

Now Broudie seems to have taken up the pipe and slippers with the stripped-down, basic sounds of his debut solo album, featuring acoustic guitar and banjos.

Standout track is the pleasant jangle of Smoke Rings, which has echoes of fellow Liverpudlian outfit The Coral, who have contributed along with fellow scousers and Mercury-Music Prize -nominated The Zutons.

Hardly likely to set the world alight, but sufficiently pleasing on the ear to suggest there's life in the singer yet.

LITTLE BARRIE - EP (out now)

CLASSIC British three-piece band Little Barrie make a bold statement with this, their debut EP.

Expect to hear deliciously raw guitar riffs, funky melodies, brash vocals and crisp beats - creating a oh-so-addictive sounds which has earnt them celebrity fans like Isle of Wight band The Bees.

THIRTEEN SENSES - THE INVITATION (out now)

THE meteoric rise of band-of-the-moment Coldplay has led to the music press branding any band that takes to the piano as the 'new Coldplay'.

Enter Cornish rockers Thirteen Senses, the latest group to be landed with the title as a result of their debut album The Invitation.

Packed with epic, anthemic tunes and guided by Will South's angelic vocals, the band are set to cause a stir and earn a place in many a listener's heart.

This will no doubt lead to a wave of new bands being branded the 'new Thirteen Senses.'

GABRIELLE 25 - TWENTY MORE FISH IN THE SEA (Out October 11)

WALES has a history of producing class music acts, from the big-voiced Tom Jones to the psychedelic sound of the Super Furry Animals.

Still perspiring from a wave of gigs across the country and hot on the heels of their double-A-side single Don't Wear That Face/Hiraeth, Gabrielle 25 are the latest Welsh band to rear their collective heads.

The three-piece - who include ex Gorkys Zygotic Mynci member John Lawrence on drums - do a great line in back-to-basics melodic pop with their debut album Twenty More Fish in the Sea.

Saturated in influences such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Teenage Fanclub, the album is an uplifting haul of catchy tunes.

Highlights include the breezy Byrds-esque Something About You and OnTime, with its bass-heavy opening.

Catch them at Worcester's Marrs Bar on Thursday, October 14.