The “Life” of Keef

The always interesting Riffs of Wisdom is featuring a nice review of the new Keith Richards tome, Life. As you’d expect, a life like Keith’s produces an impressive book. From RoW:

Life is a straightforward recollection of Richards’ journey from the rural wastelands of Dartford to international infamy as the original rock star – at least what he can remember of it.  Pieced together with the help of friends and contributors, this book is a fascinating story of a completely unprecedented life.

Though it unavoidably touches on sex and drugs, the book is reportedly mercifully heavy on rock and roll. Can’t wait to dig into this one.

Read more insight on Life at Riffs.

Right here.

 

Homemade guitar rock

Paste is featuring a roundup of great albums recorded “at home.” This ranges from the DIY closet folk of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska to the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St. which was recorded at home—in Keith Richards’ rented house in the south of France. Here’s how they describe another favorite lo-fi classic, Guided by Voices’ Bee Thousand:

From guitars cutting in and out of the mix on “Hardcore UFO’s” to the jangly, out-of-tune guitar on “Queen of Cans & Jars,” Bee Thousand takes trashy, cheap recording and embraces it like a sixth member.

Read more at Paste.

Right here.

 

AD: Ron Wood for Gibson

“Another Quality Product from Norlin”

Cool ad from a low point in Gibson history. As the caption reflects, Gibson was owned by the Norlin corporation from 1969-85, a period generally regarded as one of decline. The S-1, like its nearly identical cousin the Marauder, was an attempt to break into the single coil pickup game—Fender territory.

Coming from Guitar Player January 1977, this piece refers to Ron Wood’s past associations with Jeff Beck and The Faces and dates to the period of the Rolling Stones’ Black and Blue.