Vintage Vinos

Released in conjunction with Keith Richards’ 2010 autobiography Life, Vintage Vinos collects 14 highlights from the three solo records where he was backed by the X-Pensive Winos: 1988’s Talk Is Cheap; the 1991 live set Live at the Hollywood Palladium, recorded on the supporting tour for the 1988 debut; and 1992’s Main Offender. Five cuts were cherry-picked from each studio album and paired with four highlights from the live album (all songs recorded by the Rolling Stones, including “Time Is on My Side” and “Connection,” but they’re overshadowed by the reggae “Too Rude,” which allows the Winos to really stretch their muscles), and while there are some excellent songs left on the studio records (chief among them the Jagger-baiting ‘50s shuffle “I Could’ve Stood You Up”), the selections are expertly chosen and offer solid proof that when the Stones weren’t rolling, Keef served up some nifty rock and soul on his own, and even had a pair of minor classics in the hard-charging “Take It So Hard” and cool grooving Stax tribute “Make No Mistake.” ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine