It's all too easy to write Keith Richards off because of how his weathered look reminds us of the halcyon days of the Stones on the road a few decades ago, with Keith at the forefront of living life to the full and beyond. If any album could refute theimpact his (previous) lifestyle had on his ability to create great music, Crosseyed Heart is it.
More than 20 years have passed since Keith's last solo record, Main Offender, with this new release his best by far. Not bad for a former school choir boy, turned bad boy, turned 71-year-old rock legend.
Crosseyed Heart kicks off with the short but sweet Delta-blues sounding title track before launching into a rock-steady group effort, including piano by Mr Richards, Heartstopper.
The variety of music genres on the album is one of the reasons it's so compelling, with the ballad Robbed Blind as good as any Stones ballad like Lady Jane, Fool to Cry, Waiting on a Friend or Far Away Eyes.
The genre-hopping takes Keith Richards and co-producer Steve Jordan to the blues, full-on Stones sounding rock, ballads and unique swamp-rock sounds. Norah Jones and Keith laid down an impressive Illusion, with other contributors including Ivan Neville on Hammond, brother Aaron on vocals, Waddy Wachtel guitar and Jordan on drums and back-up vocal duties.
Keith, himself, makes a massive contribution to Crosseyed Heart. Put simply, the performance levels of Crosseyed Heart are outstanding. Take a bow, Keith Richards.
