Ron Wood’s upcoming album, “I Feel Like Playing,” slated for release on September 28, 2010 will mark a departure from his past solo albums that have included past works “Gimme Some Neck,” “1234,” “Not For Beginners,” “Now Look,†“Slide on This” and “I’ve Got My Own Album To Do.†Like some of his previous solo releases, it will offer a pallette of rhythm and blues, rock, funk and soul.
Those who hear the album subsequent to its release will find that it is neither reminiscent of an album from The Faces, The Rolling Stones, nor his stint with the Jeff Beck Group, as that is not its intent, although the album brings elements of the styles that influenced those groups. Â For that matter, the album does not sound, nor does it feel like any of his past works, either.
“I Feel Like Playing” was recorded in a handful of studios in the L.A. area, enlisting a fine line-up of artists of varying genres.
The album is produced by Bernard Fowler, who has worked with Wood for decades, both in the studio and as part of Wood’s live performances. I asked Fowler about his work on the upcoming release, and he told me, “This is the second album I produced for him, and the hardest because of what he was going through, and it can plainly be heard.” He adds, “With the help of Bob Rock and friends, it is a well rounded record, if I must say so myself.”
Wood’s voice is far rougher than on any of his past works. It works like a beat up guitar, still cranking it out, and it is a bit more vintage.
Not surprisingly, the album opens up with slide guitar on the opening track, which features Wood in a line-up with his longtime friend Slash, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, studio percussionist Jim Keltner (Rolling Stones, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan) and keyboardist Ivan Neville.
“Sweetness My Weakness†is the album’s reggae track, featuring Stones bassist Darryl Jones, Wood’s longtime friend Slash, and Steve Ferrone who come in for the kill. The track, which starts with Ferrone’s ferocious drumming, is laced with Fowler’s smooth as glass background vocals. The interplay from Slash and Wood with their double stops on guitar is further propelled by adrenalized execution between Ferrone and Jones.
Previously, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have also included reggae as part of their solo repertoire.
The bluesy “I Gotta See†puts Wood at the mic with Fowler. The vocal duet with Bernard Fowler is a soulful rocker that almost sounds like a spiritual as the pair sings, “I hear a voice, it’s calling me, I gotta go now, I gotta see.†Featuring Ivan Neville and Billy Gibbons of Z.Z. Top, and co-written by Bernard Fowler, it is a heartfelt song that could easily serve as a classic composition to be recorded by other artists, as well. A beautifully recorded track, it is a strong enough song that it merits being covered.
The album’s title track sees the studio reunion of Wood and Bobby Womack. Ian “Mac†McLagan graces the track, along with fruther contribution from Rolling Stones backup vocalist and solo artist Blondie Chaplin. Producer Bob Rock picks up the guitar on this track that also features Keltner, Jones Wood and Fowler.
“Thing About You†is where Wood now rocks out on the album in this straight-ahead shuffle, complete with its scraping riffs. The soloing on the track, which is supplied by a potent Billy Gibbons, renders a noteworthy London/Texas guitar pair-up. Ferrone adds to the kick on this one, with spice in the mix from Fowler, Womack and Chaplin.
“Catch You†is an R&B influenced track, offering compelling back-up vocal lines and appropriately inlaid slide guitar that adds a hook to this extremely well produced track. In tow with Wood are Fowler, Jones, Keltner, Rock and McLagan.
The album has an adaptation of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful,†a song that has been taken on by artists ranging from Howlin’ Wolf to Cream. One of the highlights of the album, this funky, chunky, rhythmic guitar driven track escalates with Fowler’s vocals, which are now put into overdrive. The duet lines with Wood and Fowler are unerringly flawless on this stinging blues rocker.
Wood cranks it up again for the very clever and almost venomous number “Well I Don’t Think So.†“Don’t mean to bore ya, I want my lawyer, you see the risk increases as I tear you pieces, and this is my guitar, and this is my guitar, you can’t have it,†sings Wood before going into the guitar solo. One can not miss the inimitable Waddy Wachtel on guitar on this track. Rick Rosas (Neil Young) also joins in on this track that also features Chaplin and Fowler. Those four have played countless gigs together as part of Wachtel’s band, which has had a decade long run at The Joint in Los Angeles. Wood is joined by those four for the track, as well as Ferrone and McLagan.
“100%†is pure rock, as Slash, Jones, Neville and Keltner ride shotgun. The finely parleyed distortion on the rhythm guitar is the perfect canvas for this track. Wood plays harp on the song, adding to its allure.
“Fancy Pants†has Slash and Wood exchanging blues guitar licks. More harp is supplied by Wood, who is supported by Jones, Keltner and Neville. “I don’t say I’m rich, just got more money than sense. But when I get a chance to flash my fancy pants, I do,†Wood intones, before flashing some more icy riffs.
“Tell Me Something†reveals a Wachtel’s guitar chords offering the opening riff. The expanded company of Skip McDonald (Little Axe), backup vocalist Saranella Bell, Kevin Gibbs (Little Axe), drummer Johnny Ferraro (Larry Carlton, David Baerwald, David Benoit), in addition to Rosas, Fowler and McLagan, delivers a funky track with a hook that is musically reminiscent of Wachtel’s work with the late Warren Zevon.
Three decades have passed since Wachtel recorded his acoustic contribution on Wood’s album “1234.”
Another blues number, a heartbreaker piece that puts Fowler at the forefront on vocals with Wood, “Forever†is one of the finest offerings on the album. Slash and Neville add to the intensity of the track. Jones’ bass serves as a strong backbone for this piece. Womack is also heard on this song. Keltner’s drumming also brings it on home.
The album will be released by Eagle Rock Entertainment, which released the Rolling Stones documentary film Stones In Exile earlier this year.
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