Mad Lad: A Live Tribute To Chuck Berry
BMG, 2019
8/10
Listen to Mad Lad: A Live Tribute To Chuck Berry
Recorded live at Wimborne’s Tivoli Theater in 2018, Ronnie Wood takes a break from his many artistic endeavors to focus on music for this tribute album where Ben Waters lends a hand on keys, and Imelda May’s pipes make appearances across the 11 covers.
“Tribute To Chuck Berry” starts the album with soulful rock’n’roll, and, of course, spirited guitar work in a tune that discusses Berry’s remarkable life, and “Talking About You” follows with saxophones and keys complementing the upbeat atmosphere.
Deeper into the set, “Almost Grown” recruits backing female vocals on the swinging fun that will certainly get your body moving, while “Back In The USA” turns the volume down a bit with a smooth rocker where piano solos are key.
Near the end, “Little Queenie” offers the quintessential Berry tune that’s melodic, gritty and timeless, and the legendary “Rock N Roll Music” has Imelda May taking vocal duties with her sweet, expressive pipes adding new flavor to the classic. Naturally, “Johnny B Goode” ends the listen with fluid brass and flawless rhythm that does justice to Berry’s most known tune.
The first in his plan to do three similar albums, Wood chose Berry for this initial effort not only because he’s a fan, but because Wood and Berry toured together and he wanted to pay tribute as Berry as he recently passed away.
An incredible project here, it will be exciting to see who Wood pays tribute to on the next one.
Travels well with: The Rolling Stones- Some Girls; The Jeff Beck Group- Jeff Beck Group