VIDEOS OF THE WEEK: STONE ALONE

[Niels (Mod)]

VOTW - STONE ALONE

Just like, there's only really one Stones-album, that I think is a masterpiece, there's only one "Stones Alone"-album, I think is great, and that Jagger's "Wandering Spirit". I'm sure, that Keith is VERY important to Stones, but solo (and in the New Barberians) he kind of sucks imo. I will definitely check out the coming album by him, but I don't have my hopes up high. He certainley is cool in every way, but he can't sing better than for example Keith Moon. But there are other "Stones" than Mick and Keith, and they have all made something on their own (even Jones and Taylor, but 5 video's are enough):

MICK JAGGER - DON'T TEAR ME UP

Imo Jagger's very best solo-album. I played this album a lot in 1993. Following the The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels (1989), Jagger began writing new material for what would become Wandering Spirit. In January 1992, after landing Rick Rubin as co-producer, Jagger recorded the album in Los Angeles over seven months until September 1992, recording simultaneously as Keith Richards was making Main Offender.Jagger kept the celebrity guests to a minimum on Wandering Spirit, only having Lenny Kravitz as a vocalist on his cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me" and bassist Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers on three tracks.Following the end of The Rolling Stones' Sony Music contract and their signing to Virgin Records, Jagger elected to sign with Atlantic Records (which had signed the Stones in the 1970s) to distribute what would be his only album with the label.

KEITH RICHARDS - WICKED AS IT SEEMS

Main Offender is the second studio album by Keith Richards and his last to date, released in 1992 between the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels and Voodoo Lounge projects.Richards teamed with Talk Is Cheap collaborator Steve Jordan and added Waddy Wachtel to the mix both in composing and producing Main Offender. Sessions with Richards' group of musician friends known as "The X-Pensive Winos" took place in California and New York City from March to September 1992, with touring in Europe's autumn and early 1993 in North America.When Richards reunited with Mick Jagger (who recorded Wandering Spirit while Richards was making Main Offender) in mid-1993 to start work on Voodoo Lounge, Jagger complimented him on Main Offender, and used the single "Wicked as It Seems" as inspiration for The Rolling Stones' next single, "Love Is Strong".

BILL WYMAN - I WANNA GET ME A GUN

My first intention was to post "Ce Suis Un Rockstar" from 1981, because I clearly remember that song being played on radio and TV back then. A stupid song/video, but it really stuck in my head. But then I came across this "video" from 1974. It's the first song on the solo-album "Monkey Grip".

CHARLIE WATTS QUINTET - I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU

Don't know much about this one, other than it's a Music Video for Charlie Watts Quintet - I've Got A Crush On You (feat. Bernard Fowler). Director, Lisa Harney. Producer, Richard McGill. Location, London. I got this song on a Frank sinatra-album (Sinatra At The Sands), and as a traditon, I play that album each and every New Years evening, and have done that since 2002.

RON WOOD - OOH LA LA

"Ooh La La" is a 1973 song by the band Faces, written by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood. It was the title song for the band's last studio album, Ooh La La.The lead vocals were provided by Wood, a rarity in the band's catalog, as most lead vocals were by Rod Stewart or less often by Ronnie Lane. Stewart did not think the song was up to his standards, although both he and Lane recorded lead vocals for it. Their producer suggested Wood give it a try, and that was the version that was used for the track which appeared on the record. This live-version is from 2004.

[Scott]

Gotta say that I'd be most interested in the Mick Taylor stuff...  But this is a cool topic!

JAGGER ...  I'm 100% with you on his solo stuff.  That video with Bowie of Dancing In The Streets is still one of the worst all time covers and videos.  Their "dancing" in that video set me years back on appreciating the Stones.  And this newer one?  Well, miles better than his early solo work, but nothing I'm interested in, and this song and the early 90's production doesn't help.

RICHARDS ...  Easily the most Stones-like so far.  has that same production values as Jaggers so its easily identifiable as an early 90's tune.  And a black and white video too!  Clearly these guys colluded, much like RJ and Jon do!  I liked the tune better than Jaggers, but it still nothing special.  Easy to see where chemistry comes into play for a band.

WYMAN ... This guys has one emotion and one speed.  Geez!  If those chicks were dancing around me I'd be a little happier!  The tune seems to be more of a novelty tune than a serious run at solo success.  

WATTS ... I'll give the guy some credit because when he stepped away from the Stones he totally did his own thing!  In no big band / Sinatra fan, but I do appreciate this.

WOODS ... My favorite song posted, but worst vocal - yes even worse than Wymans - but, it works.  Question:  Is this technically a solo track?

You are on fire my friend!  These posts are fun!

[Niels (Mod)]

Answer: No, but I could not find a video of Wood-solotrack, so this have to do. And he's singing, and not playing with The Stones.

Thanks a lot.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I don't know the first thing about solo Stones music, so all of these are new to me:

Jagger - Never heard this or seen the video.  I really like the song.  It's quite strong.  Jagger sounds great, especially when he provides the backing vocals along with his lead vocal.  I also like the female backing vocals.  The video is just a video, nothing special.  But it seems weird seeing Mick without the other Stones.

Richards - This song is pretty good too.  I may have heard this one, can't really remember.  I think Richards is a decent singer.  I may even pick up his new album.  The video is pretty cool.  Just randomness.  Hey, is that the same dog that was on the Alice In Chains album cover?

Wyman - This is definitely the weakest track so far, but it's not terrible.  He seems so.....level.  He looks like he'd be the kind of person that shows no emotion whatsoever.  The video is cool with the go-go girls.  Go-go girls are always cool.  Hey Scott, did you know Bill Wyman is name checked in one of The Smithereen's most popular songs?

Watts - I didn't know he was black.  Oh, wait a minute, there he is on the drums.  Sorry 'bout that.  This is simply a good song.  Great vocal delivery by the vocalist.  Vocals are not overdone, which is perfect for this type of song.  The jazz club video fits, so I like that too.  Nice pick here.

Wood - Oh my, what a rough voice.  Not terrible, he almost appears to be drunk.  But that's probably just him.  That's a lot of gravel in his voice.  He might even have more gravel than Stewart (Stewart is obviously a better singer).  I have heard this song and can't say I was ever a fan of it, but I enjoyed this live version.  The organ sounds great an makes this sound like a Stones song.  I could easily hear them doing this one.

My rank:

1. Jagger

2. Watts

3. Richards

4. Wood

5. Wyman