The third album of any artist’s career tends to be a difficult venture. The excitement that comes with a debut album is then usually followed up with a sophomore release that capitalises on the initial impact of the first. It’s only when a third album is in the offing that artists need to up their game…
Except of course if you’re Keith Richards, then you’re already a member of one of the biggest bands in the world and you can literally do what you want without having to worry about critics, labels, royalties and the like. Then you can release an album that just focuses on good music.
From the beginning, the feel of ‘Crosseyed Heart’ is one of a well-honed talent doing what talent does best – being talented. In a music industry that is chock-full of eccentrics and try-hard artists that seem more interested in grabbing headlines than actually making music, it’s reassuring to see that tried and trusted styles keep supplying us with reasons to smile and tap our feet.
‘Crosseyed Heart’ was released by Virgin EMI.
From the opening track of acoustic, smoky solo blues through the 15 tracks that are on offer, we’re treated to a range of Rhythm & Blues music including leanings into reggae and even some more modern funk rock. There are a few surprises such as a straight ahead country cover of “Goodnight Irene”, but for the most part Richards sticks with keeping the groove up and your feet tapping. Tunes such as “Amnesia”, “Trouble” and “Blues in the Morning” will have you dancing around the room with your unsuspecting significant other whilst the guitar wails out of your speakers.
It’s not all full steam ahead though; there are some wonderfully soulful and chilled songs on offer too. “Just a Gift” is a chilled transition in the latter stages of the album and Norah Jones with her smoothly purring guest vocals makes an appearance on “Illusion” perfectly complementing the creaky and well-worn Richards. “Substantial Damages” shows that when it matters, Richards can still make you sit up and take notice with some really funky guitar licks to match with the hypnotic drum beat. The album finishes with “Lover’s Plea”, a more traditional country blues song that you can imagine just finishing a night on the dance floor with.
As he was with his previous two efforts, ‘Crosseyed Heart’ has the X-pensive Winos as Keith Richards’s backing band, with drummer Steve Jordan co-producing the album with Richards. Taking a step back from the stylistics of the album, I can truly say that it is very well recorded with a real focus on getting the arrangements right to make the absolute most of the talent not only of Richards, but all who are working with him on the record. Whether it be the oft used brass or the solid rhythm section, every aspect of the performance shines, helped in no small part by an excellent production that avoids a lot of effects and just concentrates on showing off the organic warmth of real instruments being played by real people.
If you want to be really picky, you might argue that maybe the album as a whole is one or two songs too long but it’s a very minor gripe. Whether you’re a long time Stones fan or just someone who likes a bit of everything, you’ll be hard pressed to find an album that’s so into making you enjoy music.
Author – Steve, Bristol store
