Keith Richards & The Xpensive Winos
VINTAGE WINOS

Keef turns it up to eleven on this compilation of highlights from his two solo albums with the Xpensive Winos, thrown together with some live tracks and so on – all timed impeccably to coincide with the release of his enormo-selling (and brilliant – READ MORE HERE) autobiography, “Life” (quelle surprise!)

Opening with his only bonafide solo “hit” ‘Take it So Hard’, we take a trawl through ‘You Just Don’t Move Me Any More’ (voicing his frustration with the self-aggrandising antics of his Rolling Stones compadre Mick Jagger), the ragged near-Stax sounds of ‘Make No Mistake’, live renditions of Stones tracks ‘Too Rude’, with it’s cod reggae groove and ‘Time Is On My Side’, featuring a powerful vocal from LaBelle’s Sarah Dash, and of course Keef’s signature tune from “Exile…” ‘Happy’, in all it’s ragged glory.

There’s more gems here – ‘Locked Away’ and ‘Wicked As It Seems’ are favourites of mine – and there is plenty more to be found on his 2 studio and one live albums, so don’t be shy in checking them out if you’re new to the man and his (solo) music.

Keef’s ragged and raspy vocals are undeniably an acquired taste, but to those who have taken the time to immerse in his music, this is a worthy addition to any collection.