Spins: Ronnie Wood • Fearless: Anthology 1965-2005
Ronnie Wood
Fearless: Anthology 1965-2005 2xLP
(BMG)
There’s so much more to Ronnie Wood than his status as “the new guy” after his 50-year (and counting) tenure as a principal member of the Rolling Stones. This mostly-chronological 20-song anthology spans the years 1965 to the present. It helps tell Woods’ broader story as a solo artist, key player with the Faces, participant in pivotal work by the Jeff Beck Group, and more.
Fearless begins with heavy swagger and Rod Stewart’s raspy voice on “Plynth (Water Down the Drain)” from the Jeff Beck Group’s 1968 album Beck-Ola. Soon afterward, Stewart and Wood left the group and resurfaced in the Faces. The set’s following five tracks trace highlights from concurrent Faces and Stewart solo albums. The homesick “Flying” led the debut Faces album, First Step, with Wood’s descending arpeggios during Stewart’s emotive verses and slippery slide guitar, in tandem with Ian McLagan’s Hammond organ. “Gasoline Alley” became the title track of Stewart’s solo album the same year. Acoustic roots-rocker “Every Picture Tells a Story” was another title cut for Stewart. With a sound anchored by Woods’ 12-string guitar, the influential song has echoed down the generations through bands such as the Georgia Satellites and the Black Crowes. Woods’ riffage in the raunchy Faces track “Stay With Me” forecasts Woods’ compatibility with the Stones’ sound. The sparkling coming-of-age song “Ooh La La” from the Faces’ final album memorably appeared at the redemptive conclusion of Wes Anderson’s film Rushmore.
Woods famously provided outside assistance to Mick Jagger in writing “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll” for the Rolling Stones. Jagger returned the favor by appearing on the “I Can Feel the Fire,” borrowing a bit of the mojo from Harry Nilsson’s “Jump into the Fire.” Beatle George Harrison co-wrote the soulful and socially-conscious “Far East Man” with Wood. The Fab guitarist recorded his own version for 1974’s Dark Horse album. Both of Woods’ tracks appeared on his 1974 debut solo outing, I’ve Got My Own Album to Do, and are collected on Fearless.
The funky “I Can Say She’s Alright” is drawn from 1975’s sophomore solo effort Now Look. The song was a collaboration with R&B/soul artist Bobby Womack, featuring punchy Telecaster rhythm and riding a percolating groove similar to the Edgar Winter Group’s “Free Ride.” The sentimental and devoted acoustic ode “Whadd’ya Think” appears on the 2001 album Not for Beginners. Lush layers of slide guitar, 12-string guitar, and violin color a song that wouldn’t have been out of place on the Faces’ Ooh La La.
The latest in Woods’ string of seven solo albums is 2010’s I Feel Like Playing. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top trades riffs and licks with Woods on the album’s crunching blues-rocker “Thing About You.”
One vinyl side is dedicated to Woods’ co-writes with the Stones. The stomping Charlie Watts rhythm of “Dance (Part 1)” from the 1980s Emotional Rescue album is spiked by Jagger’s sassy vocal, Keith Richards’ signature riffing, saxophone, Brazilian percussion, and Woods’ taut guitar licks. The improvisational jam “Everything Is Turning to Gold” was the B-side to the Some Girls single “Shattered.” The loping and bluesy song of faded romantic luster, “Black Limousine,” appeared on 1981’s Tattoo You. Wood has said that Texas steel guitar player Hop Wilson inspired his slide riff. Bitter soul ballad “No Use In Crying” featuring old Jeff Beck Group bandmate Nicky Hopkins on piano also appeared on Tattoo You. The rough-handled “Pretty Beat Up” is a deep track from 1983’s Undercover.
Fearless travels to the present day with a clutch of new covers. A version of the Falcons’ 1959 single “You’re So Fine” includes vocal support from Irish singer Imelda May. A fresh take on Jamaican star Hopeton Lewis’ rocksteady hit “Take It Easy” is bouncy and fun. New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint’s “A Certain Girl” was a hit in 1980 for Warren Zevon, in addition to versions by the Yardbirds and “Mother-in-Law” singer Ernie K-Doe. Wood’s version features an appropriately frustration-infused lead vocal by Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.
The set is completed by a new original composition entitled “Mother of Pearl,” a lively track with a tried-and-true lyric that finds Woods pleading with his baby to come back. With gospel-influenced chorus harmonies from May and others, the song borrows a bit of its upbeat vibe from “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Each song showcases Woods’ skill as a rock and blues guitarist, songwriter, and arranger. Fearless in CD format offers an additional 18 tracks from all points along Woods’ career arc, including “You’re On My Mind” from 1964, during Woods’s stint with the Birds.
– Jeff Elbel
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