Various Artists - Rude Dudes (CD)

All Music Guide

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 wh...o 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, All Music Guide Read more Less