Rude Dudes CD

Since leaving the Rolling Stones in 1993, Bill Wyman has gone on a one-man crusade to promote the music he obviously loves. Wyman fronts his own blues band, the Rhythm Kings, and has been instrumental in keeping the names of both classic and obscure blues artists in the public eye through compilations like Rude Dudes. The title is somewhat misleading; there are as many "rude" women on this Document compilation as men. These risqué tracks, mainly from the '30s, include Butterbeans & Susie's "Elevator Papa, Switchboard Mama," Lil Johnson's "My Stove's in Good Condition," Speckled Red's "The Dirty Dozen, No. 2," Roosevelt Sykes' "We Can Sell That Thing," Bo Carter's "Banana in Your Fruit Basket," Victoria Spivey's "One Hour Mama," Ethel Waters' "My Handy Man," and Whistlin' Rufus' "(Whose Gonna Do Your) Sweet Jelly Rollin.'" Wyman not only co-wrote the liner notes, but also chose the 40 tunes. Part of the reason for this disc of upbeat, naughty tunes was Wyman's irritation toward people who consistently apply the blues as depressing music. In the liner notes he states, "If your friends need convincing that the blues can make you smile, play them this, but not in front of the children." ~ Al Campbell

Collection of original dirty blues selected by Bill Wyman with Speckled Red, Victoria Spivey, Bessie Smith, Lizzie Miles, Lil Johnson, Barrelhouse Annie and more. 40 tracks

Includes liner notes by Neil Slaven.

Personnel: Rufus Bridey (vocals, whistling, piano); Tampa Red (vocals, guitar, kazoo); John Byrd , Joshua White, Al Miller , Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie McTell, Bo Carter (vocals, guitar); Georgia Tom Dorsey, Jesse James, Roosevelt Sykes, Speckled Red, Whistlin' Alex Moore (vocals, piano); Washboard Sam (vocals, washboard); Coot Grant, Susie Hawthorne, Ethel Waters, George Hannah, Barrell House Annie, Margaret Webster, Frankie Driggs, Joe Edwards, Jane Lucas, Lil Johnson, Lillie Mae Kirkman, Lizzie Miles, Lonnie Johnson, Mae Glover, Napoleon Fletcher, Sam Theard, Victoria Spivey, Bessie Smith (vocals); Curley Weaver, Eddie Lang, Hot Box Johnson, Blind Norris, Lewis Leslie, Big Bill Broonzy (guitar); Odell Rand, Albert Nicholas, Arnett Nelson (clarinet); Charlie Holmes (alto saxophone); Bill Owsley (tenor saxophone); Henry "Red" Allen, Alfred Bell, Charlie Green (trumpet); Clarence Williams, Curtis Jones, Eddie Heywood, Harry Brooks, James P. Johnson, Luis Russell, Meade "Lux" Lewis, Walter Roland, Wesley Wilson, Big Maceo Merriweather, Black Rob (piano); Clifford "Snags" Jones (drums); Floyd Casey, Bull City Red (washboard).

Liner Note Authors: Bill Wyman; Neil Slaven.

Recording information: Aurora, IL (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Chicago, IL (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Columbia, SC (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Dallas, TX (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Grafton, WI (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Illinois (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); New Orleans, LA (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); New York, NY (08/21/1928-02/06/1942); Richmond, IN (08/21/1928-02/06/1942).

Arrangers: Clarence Williams; George Hannah.