Ron Wood - Act Together [buy]
"Don't expect it to last forever, it never does,
But it sure beats talkin' 'bout the weather, it surely does,
And I like what you're singing to me,
But it's better with a little bit of harmony."
In 1974, Ron Wood had his own album to do. The Faces were still playing live, but they never really recovered from Ronnie Lane's departure in '73, let alone Rod Stewart's periodic forays into solo mega-stardom. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones gig was still a year away.
Into this vacuum, Woody assembled a first-rate band ... including Keith Richards on guitar and vocals, Ian McLagan on piano and organ, and Mick and Rod on backup vox ... to create one of the great subterreanean rock albums of the 1970s. In fact, I've Got My Own Album To Do is a far better record than the Stones or Faces were capable of mustering in 1974-75. I could've chosen anything this side of "Crotch Music," but I particularly love "Act Together." While technically a "Richard/Jagger" co-write, the tune has Keef's fingerprints all over it, with a strong Curtis Mayfield feel that takes us straight to the black church. And really, is there much higher praise that that???
