Supersingle Shows Richards Hasn't Lost Energetic Touch

Keith Richards' new solo-tracks leave no doubt about who was the energy behind the Rolling Stones in the late 70's and early 80's. Richards' new single "Eileen" and the four other songs that appear with it on a recent Virgin disc show him returning to the Stones' bluesy roots while letting his own unmistakable personality shine through.

"Eileen" starts off generically enough with a cymbal crash and a quick snare beat that could belong to Sinead O'Connor or Tom Petty. After six bars, Richards cuts in with a simple guitar riff reminiscent of "Start Me Up," the kind of easy-going groove that puts the listener at home right away.

Soon, he starts to sing the constant refrain of the song, "Eileen, won't you lean on me." As usual, his throatiness is inexplicably high-pitched and evokes visions of a man cringing in pain. But Richards articulates clearly (it works, really) and his sentimental lyrics become surprisingly charming.

After the first few verses, "Eileen" becomes a richly layered series of cascading guitar chords that turn this quick song strangely introspective, building into a musical climax with backups and clapping. The backups truly do the song credit--not obtrusive, but fulsome and satisfying. If your toe hasn't started tapping by now, you're just not coordinated.

Even after "Eileen" has faded out into sympathetic serenity, the best of the disc is far from over. The next track is a live take of "Gimme Shelter." Many will remember it as the lead-off on "Let It Bleed," the album that blared, "THIS RECORD SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD" on the inside cover.

It's hard to imagine a more grinding, monumental version of the 1986 song. When you follow the original instructions, this one is like an adrenaline earthquake. Perhaps assisted by the wonders of CD sound, the heavy guitar chords seem to ring more deeply than before until a cataclysmal crash heralds Richards' entrance in Jagger's place.

A huge bass line and bottomless saxophones back up Richards and the unidentified female vocalist who sings the high notes. Standing in for the honky-tonk harmonica from the original studio version is a gut-wrenching menace that can barely shriek loudly enough to be audible over the constant pounding of the bass, drums and Richards' amazingly continuous guitar choruses.

Richards' singing starts out as minimalist statements and slowly grows into an over-powering, howling duet with his backup. The track goes on a full two minutes longer than the original, and the juggernaut groove seems as though it could go on forever. When Richards voices over, "Dig these guys," at the end, you're still in shock.

The third song on the disc, "Wicked As It Seems," is a bit disappointing. It lives off the same key for its duration excepting a brief solo. Forcing out the same sparse lyrics (predictably, the title) and guitar line for the five remaining minutes, this song offers few surprises. It does have some power, but it's not a ready-made warhorse like "Gimme Shelter" or "Sympathy for the Devil."

More upbeat and interesting is "How I Wish" (from Richards' recent album, "Talk is Cheap"). It blends the same kind of talky verses that "Just My Imagination" has with Richards' more genuine voice and harder drums and guitar.

"How I Wish" also brings in the pounding piano and organ that are helping out never groups such as the Black Crowes. Of course, veterans such as Richards knew the benefits of these soulful additions all along. The last track, "Key to the Highway," gives them a lot more playing time in a classical 8-bar blues ramble. The electric guitar stays quiet while Richards' voice roams along with the sure-footed downbeats.

In terms of his front-man history, Richards' "Eileen" resembles "Happy" (available on "Love You Live," live obviously) in its slightly repetitious lyrics and frequent, heart-felt groans and sighs. In his solo career, "Eileen" is the first credible, instant classic that Richards has produced. Though the Expensive Winos, his most recent band for solo efforts, aren't credited on this cover, it's safe to assume that some of the members are in on "How I Wish" at least.

"Eileen" and "Wicked As It Seems" are both available on Richards' album, "Main Offender." Nevertheless, the "Eileen" supersingle is definitely worth buying in its own right if only for the "Gimme Shelter" Armageddon and "Key to the Highway." A diverse combination of songs like these doesn't come by too often for under ten bucks.