Talk Is Cheap
It made sense that Keith Richards's first solo album offered betterChuck Berry-derived rockers thanMick "Keep Up with the Times" Jagger's, but who knew that Richards would give up more of the funk, too? His X-Pensive Winos (with estimable drummer Steve Jordan filling theCharlie Wattsrole) lay it down in a tight-but-loose fashion, and it doesn't hurt thatBootsy CollinsandBernie Worrelldrop by, either. The best surprise of all, though, is the rueful, Cajun-tinged ballad "Locked Away."--Rickey Wright