By Phyllis Pollack
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will release ‘Vintage Vinos,’ his first-ever solo compilation on November 2, 2010. The disc is comprised of 14 songs recorded by Richards and his band the X-Pensive Winos. The disc’s final track was solely previously available as special bonus for those that donated to Hurricane Katrina relief during the Rolling Stones’ ‘Bigger Bang’ tour. Among those personally affected by the tragedy, Winos keyboardist Ivan Neville was born in New Orleans.
The release of the disc highlights the release of Richard’s book ‘Life.’
The collection of nine Winos studio tracks culled for the album are from Richards’ 1988 solo album ‘Talk Is Cheap’ and 1992’s 'Main Offender.'
The four live tracks featured on ‘Vintage Winos’ are "Too Rude," plus the band's versions of three Rolling Stones songs. The Stones inclusions are "Time Is On My Side," one of Richards' signature tracks, "Happy," and “Connection,” all four of which were recorded the Hollywood Palladium. CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BELOW THIS ADVERTISEMENT:
Also featured on the disc is material recorded during the second of the Winos’ two Los Angeles concerts supporting ‘Talk Is Cheap,’ at the Hollywood Palladium on December 15, 1988, which culminated as the album ‘Live At The Palladium.’ The Palladium show was held one night after the band’s Universal Ampitheater show. The Winos toured in support of both of ‘Talk Is Cheap’ and ‘Main Offender,’ offering highly memorable performances.
Subsequent to that date, a live VHS recording of the Palladium show was officially released. The film was available in a limited edition, numbered, dark green box set, emblazoned with the Winos’ logo in gold. The box set, which also featured a liner notes booklet, also contained live CD of the show. When the box set was no longer available, the commercially released VHS was still accessible. The live video was later made available on DVD release. The concert film, which also includes brief backstage footage from another one of the tour's shows, is now out of print in all versions.
The environmentally friendly ‘Vintage Vinos’ album contains a twenty-page liner notes booklet. The back of the album has lyrics from the album’s finale ‘Hurricane’ in Richards’ writing.
The X-Pensive Winos’ two tours and solo recordings should not be underestimated by those who have only heard Stones’ recordings. The detail and breadth of their music is some of the finest rock and roll to have been recorded during the late ‘80s and early ‘90’s.
The line-up of personnel on the two X-Pensive Winos studio albums varied, one instance being that Sarah Dash would not appear on "Main Offender."
‘Vintage Vinos’ opens with the track “Take It So Hard,” which was the first single from the self-titled album. The Winos' debut album was also offered on vinyl, CD, music cassette, and in a special promotional version on mini-discs that were enclosed in a round, black metal case with a skull imprinted on the top.
The album's anthemic opening song is exemplary of fine guitar work from Waddy Wachtel, part of the core line-up from the band. The song's superbly executed staccato guitar riffs, as well as Wachtel’s guitar soloing, punctuated with Steve Jordan’s drumming, as Neville’s keyboards dance through them, are nothing less than intoxicating.
The Winos’ drummer, Steve Jordan, had previously been part of the line-up for the band Richards put together for the concerts filmed for the Taylor Hackford film “Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll, A Tribute To Chuck Berry.”
The ‘Vintage Winos’ number “Big Enough” has extensive soloing from Maceo Parker on alto sax. The eclectic track is an example of Richards’ extensive rhythmic vocabulary, and his desire to explore rhythm. The Winos’ albums proved is there is nothing Richards will not try with a groove.
“You Don’t Move Me,” was rumored to be about Mick Jagger at the time of its release. With an appearance from Charley Drayton, Bernie Worrell and Buckwheat Doral, the song’s serious vibe delves into another rhythmic, albeit slower swing.
“Struggle” is captivating for several, reasons, one of which includes Jordan’s powerful percussion perforating the guitar riffs emanating from Richards and Wachtel. The rhythmic meanderings over a short acoustic guitar part, as well as a compact lead guitar riff.
“Make No Mistake,” written by Richards and drummer Steve Jordan, features a horn section arranged by the late Willie Mitchell, played by the Memphis Horns. The Memphis Horns have made a strong contribution to American music, and have been featured on tracks recorded by Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Sam and Dave, Buddy Guy, as well as numerous other artists. CONTINUE READING BELOW THIS ADVERTISEMENT.
The beautifully crafted "No Mistake" features vocalist Sarah Dash of LaBelle fame. This is a Richards’composition that includes the lyric “things ain’t what they seem,” a theme that would also later be touched on by Richards 17 years later, on the Rolling Stones’ ‘Bigger Bang’ track “Infamy.” The Winos’ track “Make No Mistake” and “Infamy” both mention the subject of dreaming, as well. On “Make No Mistake,” Richards sings, “This is just a dream.” On ‘Infamy,’ Richards sings, “You’re living in a nightmare, but I mistook it for a dream.” Although "Make No Mistake" and "Infamy" are constructed very differently from each other musically and lyrically, both Richards compositions share these common themes.
The interplay between Richards and Dash is a flawless on "No Mistake," as they sing the roles of being a married and hiding an affair. The combination of their two voices and the sentiment that is evoked is so beautiful, so perfect, that one listening would want these two people to continue the affair if that is what it takes to keep the song going, and afterwards, for more such songs come about.
The live reggae track “Too Rude,” with its tantalizing harmonies, offers transcendently strong and fluid vocals from Richards. Written by Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, the song is as authentic as Jamaican homegrown. It translates beautifully, in part due to saxophone from Rolling Stones horn player, Bobby Keys. The Stones had a version of the song on the 1986 album 'Dirty Work.' It was originally released by Kingston born artist Half Pint.
One of the most heart gripping performances and climaxes on ‘Vintage Vinos’ comes from the Winos’ version of the Rolling Stones track, “Time Is On My Side,” also featuring Sarah Dash.
Arguably, this Winos’ remake stands up to any rendering of the song recorded by The Rolling Stones to this date. The soulful track will melt the most hardened listener. The roots rock guitar solo pierces an arrow that could shoot through a cement wall, and Dash’s voice could easily stop time with her performance here.
‘Vintage Vinos’ serves up Richards’ track “Happy,” which identifies him probably even more than his fingertips. Wachtel’s treatment of the song rocks hard as nails. Neville, who is currently on tour with his band Dumpstaphunk, plays guitar, as well, on this song. Richards is in peak form (when is he not?) and extremely rewarding and lengthy guitar soloing ensues on the track from Wachtel.
The next offering on ‘Vintage Vinos,’ “Connection,” a song that from the Rolling Stones’ 1967 ‘Between The Buttons’ album, again shows Richards and Wachtel as a force of nature when it comes to their dual roles on guitar. The key word here again is “rhythm.”
“Wicked As It Seems” features background vocals from Rolling Stones backup vocalist Bernard Fowler and Babi Floyd. Neville adds clarinet to this song on which Richards rocks, rolls and rattlesnakes with his percussive addition to this song.
The song “Eileen” on ‘Vintage Vinos’ was a single to promote “Main Offender.” It was released on both 45 RPM and on CD, and was promoted on radio. With its hook “Eileen, lean on me,” the song is dressed to impress with fiercely tight and prolific playing from an inspired band.
“Hate It When You Leave” is an autobiographical song by Richards, with a soulful mid-Sixties R&B feel. Jordan’s drumming juxtaposes a rock feel over it, transitioning the song back and forth from the melodic to the rhythmic. The background vocals add a sentimental color to it. A multi-instrumental sideman, Drayton plays piano and Hammond organ on the track.
One of the best songs on ‘Vintage Vinos’ is the fiercely emotional “Locked Away.” The carefully crafted, clever lyrics on this song are complemented by stealthily luscious backup vocals, and an extravagantly concocted musical composition that is elegantly executed by the Winos. Its heartfelt lyrics are as enchanting as is the music on the track.
The final track has Richards’ voice a bit grittier than it was during his X-Pensive Winos days, but just as enticing. ‘Hurricane’ features Richards on acoustic guitar, with the inclusion of some slide playing, while its pensive lyrics take note of the unpredictable qualities of life and nature. A fine piece of Americana, “Hurricane” further demonstrates that Richards, who has conjured one of the most unorthodox and iconic public images for four decades as a pirate, an outlaw, or whatever else the public has seen him as, has always been much more about substance.
Albeit the short life of the band, The X-Pensive Winos still stands as one of the greatest bands in rock and roll, and one of the prolific gifts that Richards has given his fans. Their music is timeless. It bypassed fads, fashion and hype, as the band made a musical statement that was all their own.
As far as this vintage line-up, it would be stellar if Richards were to assemble them back together again one of these days.
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