Word: eileen
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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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...