Crosseyed Heart

On his first solo album in 23 years, the 71-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist has made the full transition into essentially becoming the embodiment of the blues heroes he grew up worshipping as a young musician: Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Leadbelly, Jimmy Reed, etc.

 

The album is perhaps the most reflective and personal of Keith's career, with the elder statesman surveying his life and improbable survival through drugs, police busts, and a fall out of a tree--all the while sticking with Keith's tried and true love of rock, blues, country and reggae...and there's the always wonderful open-tuned five string Telecaster sound that has become Richards' trademark.

 

I just wish the Rolling Stones would once again record albums this natural, off-hand, stripped down, and honest--something they haven't done in at least two decades.