The Rolling Stones could never be accused of being idle – their just-completed tour (15 dates in North America) was their third in as many years, totalling 74 international arena dates. That’s good going for a band whose drummer is, in an eerie coincidence, 74-years old.
Therefore lead guitarist, walking riffmeister and miracle of science, Keith Richards, has ample reasons he can draw from to excuse the 23-year wait between his last solo album – 1992’s ‘Main Offender’ – and his forthcoming release, ‘Crosseyed Heart’.
With anticipation naturally high, Clash was among the first lucky listeners to hear the album in its entirety. Ushered into a private basement club in Central London, we took a seat among the invited press, label reps and general lucky buggers on a luxurious Moroccan couch. The décor, we later found out, had followed the event’s brief to look “like a Rolling Stone’s bedroom”. Despite the rumours, we can’t claim to confirm the veracity of their success, however we can confidently report that what we heard that evening was every bit as rocking as one would expect – Keef has not softened with age!
The title track, which opens the album, may initially suggest otherwise; a gloriously gruff acoustic Delta blues number, it lulls the listener into thinking this is Keith’s matured, stripped-back record. But it quickly becomes clear that isn’t the case – after the song finishes with Keith laughing, “That’s all I got,” it’s back to some serious electric noise.
The might of ‘Crosseyed Heart’ (opener aside) is due to the core band – Keith clearly most comfortable as part of a group – which includes co-producer and drummer, Steve Jordan, guitarist Waddy Wachtel, and multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell.
They surge on the heavier grooves, such as lead single, ‘Trouble’, and the Chuck Berry-infused ‘Blues In The Morning’, which features the sax talents of the late, great Bobby Keys, the long-time Stones contributor whom Keith considered a brother from another mother. But they’re similarly robust on the lithe reggae of ‘Love Overdue’, and the sweet ballad tones of ‘Illusion’, a duet between Keith and Norah Jones.
Richards is on fine form across all 15 tracks, displaying a typically voracious passion for being lost in the moment of music. His guitar never dominates – there’s plenty room for his friends to shine (Aaron Neville and Spooner Oldham also appear) – but that driving force is inimitably Keef. His DNA is distinguishable throughout – even his take on the folk standard ‘Goodnight Irene’ is injected with that Stones-like irascibility.
Sworn to secrecy in the meantime, Clash will offer a full review closer to the September release of ‘Crosseyed Heart’. Watch this space also for any developments on the news that Keith may announce live dates in support.
Words: Simon Harper
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'Crosseyed Heart' is due to be released on September 18th.