Article: Rolling Stones Solo albums ranked best to worst 1-21


Article ranks 21 Stones solo albums...agree/disagree? What does your list look like & more importantly, why?

Admittedly I barely know any of their solo work & only in the last few years have listened to Ron (with the Faces, Bo Diddley, solo) Ron/Keith (New Barbarians) & Keef solo 77/78 A Stone Alone/Toronto Sessions/Unkwown Dreams + Talk Is Cheap.

I'd like to hear everyone's take on what's the best/must have solo LP's, thanks!

Excerpt:

"Keith Richards, 'Talk Is Cheap' (1988)
Keith Richards never wanted to go solo. Then Jagger started making his own records, refusing even to tour behind the Stones' lightly regarded Dirty Work. So, Richards finally relented, cutting this debut in about 10 days. It became the best Rolling Stones-related album in forever and a catalyst for their reunion. But the gold-selling Talk Is Cheap was far more than comfy Stones-isms. Richards kicked things off with the nasty funk of "Big Enough," then continued through a cool menagerie of personal influences from rockabilly to Memphis soul, from reggae-fied rock to Louisiana-inspired roots music. These sessions also provided a first draft for "Almost Hear You Sigh," which became a Top 40 U.K. hit in 1990 for the quickly reformed Rolling Stones. Richards not only established himself as a standalone performer, he saved his old band."


video: [www.youtube.com] ...Keef, year by year '63-'15. What song is he playing in this video? (It doesn't sound like Keef).

...never would've guessed Bill Wyman has 5 solo albums.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-12 03:24 by KevinM.

Mostly agree except Primitive Cool is ranked too high.

I like primitive cool very much.

Where are Charlie's albums?

Very strange ranking,imo.

Very strange, indeed.

I would rank Crosseyed Heart, I Feel Like Playing, 1234 much higher...

Wandering Spirit and Goddess are ranked too low.

I would put Wandering Spirit #1 Talk is Cheap #2 Slide on this #3 A Stone's throw #4 And Monkey Grip #5.

Wandering #1 because the rockers on it kick ass which gives it a little advantage on Talk is Cheap which is also excellent, Slide on this is magnificent; finally Ron got the sound right with the help of Bernard. A Stone's throw is great; it is an acquired taste but eventually also fantastic record. Monkey grip from the start Bill has fun playing the music he loves; great record.
Rockandroll,
Mops

Take the best 8-10 original songs from each and I'd put Ron comfortably on top. At least that is what my ears prefer listening to.

After reading some of the remarks attached to each review of the albums that justify their position on the list, the criticism rely too often on points that are not music oriented. I prefer when critics focus on the music to formulate their ideas and not on matters non musical. For example to trash "Slide on This" because Ronnie collaborated with Bernard therefore it is not pure Ronnie Wood is ridiculous. What Ron and Bernard achieved on Slide is to produce a record with a dynamic, rich and sharp sound; ron's previous records were great but the sound on them was missing something.
All those outside projects are collaborations between a Stone and someone else. An objective criticism should be based on listening to the music and telling us what you feel and why.
Rockandroll,
Mops

Could someone (anyone) remix Gimme Some Neck. Nice songs, terrible production.

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DandelionPowderman
Where are Charlie's albums?

Very strange ranking,imo.

Agreed. I know this sort of listicle doesn't even qualify as journalism, but this is just pathetic.

They definitely got the top 2 correct, and could even be a toss-up between the 2.

Their view on CROSSEYED HEART is, like the rest of it, complete garbage.

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blivet

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DandelionPowderman
Where are Charlie's albums?

Very strange ranking,imo.

Agreed. I know this sort of listicle doesn't even qualify as journalism, but this is just pathetic.

I'm in with both of you! Pathetic!

The ranking of Crossdressed is too high in the article I think.

Yeah for years i thought crossdressing
meant ripping the buttons off ya cuffs when ya cant get 'em undone



ROCKMAN

Tastes differ, but personally I'll take Ronnie's "I Feel Like Playing" over any M&K albums-by-numbers. YMMV

This is very darn close for me, probably would put Crosseyed Heart just a little higher.

One of my fav solo related projects is "Mahoney's Last Stand".

The Author made a good point about "Primitive Cool" It's a pretty good album but "Let's Work" was downright dreadful - have no idea what he was thinking releasing this as the single. EASILY the worst track on the album imho.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-13 05:03 by Lynd8.

Bill Wyman's 'Back to Basics' deserves to be in the top five. Keith's solo work sounds like weak Stones, as does Mick's really. Mick's best solo work was with Super Heavy, another group. Face it, Mick and Keith aren't good solo artists. Bill's early stuff was mostly crap, but he really got it together on 'Back to Basics'. Ron Wood is just not that distinctive on his own. And no one wants to hear him sing.

For me:

1. Wandering Spirit

2. Crosseyed Heart

3. I Feel Like Playing.

The ranking of Ronnie's last solo effort in this article is a ridiculous mistake.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-14 12:07 by RobertJohnson.

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blivet

Quote
DandelionPowderman
Where are Charlie's albums?

Very strange ranking,imo.

Agreed. I know this sort of listicle doesn't even qualify as journalism, but this is just pathetic.

Might it be because Charlie’s releases are jazz and too specialist? I have no idea if that’s even the case, but as this is the Classic Rock website...

Oh, in the introduction, they do state they are discounting Charlie’s jazz recordings and any soundtracks, so to keep it ‘rock and pop’ related.

.....except for "beginners" I find Ron Wood albums too low in the list...they deserve better places..!

About "Not For Beginners" this article states "Bob Dylan stops by for a croaky, though surprisingly effective, duet". As far as I know, Dylan does not sing on "Not For Beginners", he only plays guitar on "King Of Kings" and "Interfere".



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-13 12:45 by MrEcho.

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KSIE
Tastes differ, but personally I'll take Ronnie's "I Feel Like Playing" over any M&K albums-by-numbers. YMMV

that is definitely ranked too low.

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Big Al

Quote
blivet

Quote
DandelionPowderman
Where are Charlie's albums?

Very strange ranking,imo.

Agreed. I know this sort of listicle doesn't even qualify as journalism, but this is just pathetic.

Might it be because Charlie’s releases are jazz and too specialist? I have no idea if that’s even the case, but as this is the Classic Rock website...

And Taylor's albums - not exactly classic rock?

But you could indeed be right.

EDIT: You were right



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-14 20:52 by DandelionPowderman.

After further review, Crosseyed Heart certainly deserves one of the top 2 spots. Keith's best solo work, period.

From what I've heard — which is certainly not all that's listed here — I prefer Taylor's stuff, and wish he had recorded more. Back then, if you didn't have a recording contract there wasn't an easy way to get into the studio unless you yourself foot the bill.

He mentioned he recorded enough for another album during the Stone's Throw sessions, and with this being the digital streaming age, he could easily release it on the cheap. There are some titles listed under his name on the ASCAP website that he actually published but hasn't released.

Another one that should officially see the light of day is his "Little Red Rooster" concert from the early 2000's with Noel Redding on bass. Man, that show rocks. It sounds like Hendrix's "Hear My Train A Coming" for the whole set! Phenomenal.

She's The Boss is better than P Cool just swap them.

Talk is Cheap at 1? No! Not all the songs are that great and production thin and drum- heavy. Many of the songs undeveloped. e.g. Locked Away and Rockawhile are nice grooves but they just meander along in the same way ad nowhere. A lot of interesting ideas. One notable exception.

His second way more mature/developed, and produced.

His best is Live at Hollywood is his best.

I'd put Ron's first at No 1. Not really a bad song and some really strong ones,such variety and such great camaradie. An album in the right spirit, and the right place with all good mates dropping by. Although Keith set up camp. Classic.

Bill's first was his best - with such good production and band.
No, he can't sing great but it doesn't matter on that one. The songs, band and coherent style all combine very well. White Lightening so cool.

He'd had experience producing and it showed. Never heard Yucky Buzzard or The End records though.

I don't recall a single critic knocking it. All very respectful, they were.
Many found his second one curious though!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020-06-20 00:49 by Four Stone Walls.

for me:

1- talk is cheap - KR 1988

2- wandering spirit - MJ 1993

3- gimme some neck - RW 1978

4- 1,2,3,4 RW 1981

5- primitive cool MJ 1987

6-i´ve got my own to do RW 1974

7-willie and the poor boys BW (collaborative) 1985

8-main offender KR 1992

9- mick taylor MT 1979

10-now look RW 1975