Has enyone heard this Ronnie Wood albu? I just saw it on Amazon; I'm amazed there's an album I hadn't even heard of...I thought I was paying attention!
Very organic, not like "Slide On This", more laid-back as erikjf says, but also with emotional resonance. There are flashes of anger, regret, tenderness, etc. I found myself remembering 3 or 4 of the songs after just a couple plays. Includes Ron's remake of his early Birds single ('65) (& Motown raver) "Leaving Here."
I love this album. Wake Up You Beauty is perhaps my favourite song. This album can't be missed as Ronnie sells out the secret how to become a rock'n roll star, lol
StonesTod Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > an album I like but it certainly demonstrates > Woody's left hand troubles in full evidence
hey, if def leppard's drummer can play one handed, can't woodie come up with something? he can chop his left hand off and use a bionic arm.
But what is it really? The coke/alcohol addictions? Some intrinsic loss of ability related to those, but that can't be regained even if he's sober? (since Licks/ABB, I've seen shows where he's fu**ed up & barely plays, & shows where he appears lucid, sometimes wonderful, sometimes sloppy - but usually watching Keith, perhaps too much so -- their relationship has clearly deteriorated and KR is seemingly contemptuous of RW's, or anybody's, ability to control his addictions)...Why cant some of the soul and heart on "Beginners" be tapped into when the band goes into the studio? Some of that Faces/Sweet Virginia lilt that RW can still summon up, as well. The Faces thread (and the box as a presence in my life) has reminded me of how OBVIOUS a choice Ron was for the Stones, yet as Glyn Johns remarked, how stifled he has sometimes seemed. And how Brian, Mick T, & Ron's roles all have almost creepy similarities - despite VERY different talents and personalities...I recall reading Nick Kent's "Dark Stuff" where Taylor boasts happily to Kent that he'll be sharing a couple song credits on IORR, then Kent tells him he's seen the sleeve there are no J/R/T credits...and an article after Emotional Rescue, Ron says to Keith, "Don't forget my name goes on 'Down In The Hole', too" and KR says "Shut up!"
Ronnie's history and contribution to R&R can never be taken from him. He was more creative and made more great music than most musicians could ever dream of.
The Stones do not allow for creative contribution if your not Mick and Keith. This may be way Ronnie never stopped making his own albums. He knew what he was getting into and accepted it. He was a song writer and great guitarist.
I really admire Ronnie and all he has done. He always let feel make up for technical skill in his playing and I could always feel it.
His solo stuff has more heart and soul than Mick's or Keith's IMO.
john r Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > But what is it really? The coke/alcohol > addictions? Some intrinsic loss of ability related > to those, but that can't be regained even if he's > sober? (since Licks/ABB, I've seen shows where > he's fu**ed up & barely plays, & shows > where he appears lucid, sometimes wonderful, > sometimes sloppy - but usually watching Keith, > perhaps too much so -- their relationship has > clearly deteriorated and KR is seemingly > contemptuous of RW's, or anybody's, ability to > control his addictions)...Why cant some of the > soul and heart on "Beginners" be tapped into when > the band goes into the studio? Some of that > Faces/Sweet Virginia lilt that RW can still summon > up, as well. The Faces thread (and the box as a > presence in my life) has reminded me of how > OBVIOUS a choice Ron was for the Stones, yet as > Glyn Johns remarked, how stifled he has sometimes > seemed. And how Brian, Mick T, & Ron's roles > all have almost creepy similarities - despite VERY > different talents and personalities...I recall > reading Nick Kent's "Dark Stuff" where Taylor > boasts happily to Kent that he'll be sharing a > couple song credits on IORR, then Kent tells him > he's seen the sleeve there are no J/R/T > credits...and an article after Emotional Rescue, > Ron says to Keith, "Don't forget my name goes on > 'Down In The Hole', too" and KR says "Shut up!"
It seems cold hearted the way Mick and Keith have always stolen musical ideas and songwriting credit from other musicians, but the way I look at it is that is their way of keeping control of the band and keeping it going, which I have to admit is working pretty well. Sometimes in business and/or personal relationships a certain amount of self-interest is healthy and can be vital to survival.
Ronnie's solo albums are an incredible body of work. Of pure rock'n roll at it's best. And what is also remarkable about all the albums as a whole is the evolution, the development and change as artist and man. In that sense "Not For beginners" is exactly where it should be chronoligically. The title is perfect; to discover Ron Wood this should not be the first album, to listen to. Matter of fact I would go exactly in the order they were recorded. There is the 70's good timing Stones/faces grooves with all the stars checking in, strong songwriting, covers and cocaine on "Own Album"; "Now Look" is a bit more obscure; a bit more soul and groove. Partnered with Bobby Womack who infused it with his brand of soul. Now Look is almost an archetype "second" album. It's like the second song on an album. Not a hit or too catchy, not a ballad yet, great two-syringing guitars. Then comes the big production of "Gimme Some Neck". The time of the front cover of Rolling Stone, the New barbarians, the Some Girls Tour. Jagger sings, Charlie drums, Keith is HIS guitarrist. If not for the too glossy Ueber- product\ion this coild be the Stones album with Ronnie as fill-in QB. Then the vacuous 80's. Rock was not happy. Ron puts out his weakest album. His least remarkable work, somehow unfocused To the return after a long wait. Where the Stones were getting it together strong and Jagger and Keith both had done killer albums, Ron got with Bernard and many guests. he set himself up in his own stronghoild and put out another masterpiece. All pieces come together. It is very mature writing, but it is the production the arrangments, the guitars anmd vocxls that really shine here. What is weird that in the Stones Ron was appearing distracted; solo he was alive. Then Beginners" after much upheaval, long tiring tours and age catching up. It is a melancholic album. To be real honest I did not think Ronnie had such an album in him. I love thius album. It is not the kind that jumps at you right away. It works it's way quietly under your skin and stays.
"...no longer shall you trudge 'cross my peaceful mind."
ChelseaDrugstore Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Ronnie's solo albums are an incredible body of > work. Of pure rock'n roll at it's best. And what > is also remarkable about all the albums as a whole > is the evolution, the development and change as > artist and man. > In that sense "Not For beginners" is exactly where > it should be chronoligically. The title is > perfect; to discover Ron Wood this should not be > the first album, to listen to. Matter of fact I > would go exactly in the order they were recorded. > There is the 70's good timing Stones/faces grooves > with all the stars checking in, strong > songwriting, covers and cocaine on "Own Album"; > "Now Look" is a bit more obscure; a bit more soul > and groove. Partnered with Bobby Womack who > infused it with his brand of soul. Now Look is > almost an archetype "second" album. It's like the > second song on an album. Not a hit or too catchy, > not a ballad yet, great two-syringing guitars. > Then comes the big production of "Gimme Some > Neck". The time of the front cover of Rolling > Stone, the New barbarians, the Some Girls Tour. > Jagger sings, Charlie drums, Keith is HIS > guitarrist. If not for the too glossy Ueber- > product\ion this coild be the Stones album with > Ronnie as fill-in QB. > Then the vacuous 80's. Rock was not happy. Ron > puts out his weakest album. His least remarkable > work, somehow unfocused > To the return after a long wait. Where the Stones > were getting it together strong and Jagger and > Keith both had done killer albums, Ron got with > Bernard and many guests. he set himself up in his > own stronghoild and put out another masterpiece. > All pieces come together. It is very mature > writing, but it is the production the arrangments, > the guitars anmd vocxls that really shine here. > What is weird that in the Stones Ron was appearing > distracted; solo he was alive. > Then Beginners" after much upheaval, long tiring > tours and age catching up. It is a melancholic > album. To be real honest I did not think Ronnie > had such an album in him. I love thius album. It > is not the kind that jumps at you right away. It > works it's way quietly under your skin and stays. > > "Wake me up before you go-go > I'm not planning on goin solo > Wake me up before you go-go > Don't leave me hanging on like a Yo-Yo"
This is why I wish Ronnie would go solo; he is better solo and seems happier that way. And the Stones could potentially get a hot new guitarist and get a new shot of life. Now, cue the usual comments about how this will never happen at this late date, etc., etc.
Rev. Robert W. Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh my lord, "Whadd'ya Think" from "Not For > Beginners" is just as beautiful a little gem as I > can think of...incredibly soulful.
I totally agree. This is such a personal album... With delicate tastes. Not for beginners.
Rev. Robert W. Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh my lord, "Whadd'ya Think" from "Not For > Beginners" is just as beautiful a little gem as I > can think of...incredibly soulful.
Yes, that Stereophonics guy just sounds like Rod the Mod. It´s really just like a great Faces song.
BowieStone Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Great album, but not for beginners. > > - BowieStone
Exactly. One of his god ones indeed (On the Ronnie subject: Check out the Far East Man DVD. To me, it's as great as the Mick Jagger Webster Hall 1993 bootleg DVD).
Promoman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Tod, > > I'm with you. I love 1234. > > They don't make outlaws like they used to anymore > > Fred
Thank you, Fred. Sometimes I think I'm the only guy on the planet who understands the greatness of this album.
Stonestod, that always makes me go listen to "1234' again. Most people who dig Ronnie I know also think it is his weakest, but I also have talkked to some who say it his his best. Why do you think it is really good?
"...no longer shall you trudge 'cross my peaceful mind."