[Cover photo credit to Judy Totton]

Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has announced that he will release his ninth solo album, Drive My Car, on the 9th of August, 2024. A blend of his Anglo-Americana Rhythm and Blues, Drive My Car is Wyman’s first album since 2015 and will be available digitally, on CD and gatefold vinyl. Both CD and digital formats will feature two additional bonus tracks.

Along with the announcement, Wyman has unveiled a video for title track “Drive My Car”. 

With a career spanning over six decades, Wyman steps back into the spotlight and has written five of the album’s tracks, including the album’s title track.

He comments:

It’s not something I do every day, but sometimes I just see a guitar in the corner of the room, pick it up to play around and then something clicks into place.

Recorded at Wyman’s home studio, Drive My Car features a group of long-time collaborators, including guitarist Terry Taylor and drummer Paul Beavis.

The album opens with a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Thunder On The Mountain”, influenced by Wanda Jackson’s cover. The album also features a cover of Taj Mahal’s “Light Rain.” Their long-standing friendship began in 1968 when Taj was invited to join The Stones Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus TV special.

 
Bill Wyman’s lifelong love of Country music is evident with a tribute to John Prine, featuring a cover of “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody.” 

He explains:

We were very great friends, and the Rhythm Kings did a few of his tracks. What a lyricist! I love that line in ‘Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody’ about ‘Little Richard singing Tutti Frutti from the top of a telephone pole’ – I mean, who writes like that?!

Reflecting on the album’s overall sound, Wyman cites JJ Cale as a major influence:

I think the biggest influence on the album as a whole is JJ Cale, his laidback groove has always appealed to me. Friends I’ve played it to have said things like ‘it really sounds like you’, and that makes me happy. I’ve never tried to be anyone else – I’m Bill, basically.