Label: Sony Records (Japan), SRCS 6174
Style: Rock, Pop Rock, Classic Rock
Country: Hillingdon, Middlesex, England (1 June 1947)
Time: 38:24
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 270 Mb
Every
aspect of this Rolling Stone's solo album screams of superstar
indulgence, from its bizarre cover shot - look, there's Ron riding a
camel under some jets - to co-producer Andy Johns' fawningly surreal
back cover exhortation to "don't let anybody tape it because the label
needs the money." There's no chance of such an occurrence: three studios
are credited - and every track boasts a different lineup. Many of the
usual suspects appear, including sub-Stones keyboardist Ian McLagan,
pianist Nicky Hopkins, and saxophonist Bobby Keys; R&B vocalist
Bobby Womack; and pianist Nicky Hopkius. Even Stones drummer Charlie
Watts pops up on a couple of tracks. Also, this rarefied company didn't
have decent material to stretch out their chops. Most of the songs sound
like demos or unfinished sketches with new overdubs - like the
instrumental "Redeyes," which seems little more than an excuse for Wood
to trot out his Dobro skills.
"Wind Howlin' Through" asks if the
listener can hear that happening, but little more, and wastes a drumming
cameo from Devo's Alan Myers. Wood's vocals are strained - and often
impossible to decipher. They're little more than huffs and puffs on the
otherwise thumping title cut, and they spoil the reggae-ish "She Was Out
There," which is one of the better moments here - but "Fountains of
Love" is lackluster blue-eyed soul that doesn't get off the ground. The
best moments are the least contrived, notably the country-ish swagger of
"Outlaws"; the glistening "Priceless"; and "She Never Told Me," which
boasts a lengthy, biting guitar solo. However, it arrives too late to
save this album. While hardly a total embarrassment, 1234 is easily
Wood's least distinguished solo effort, although his drawings are nice.
(allmusic.com/album/1234-mw0002560769)
01. 1234 (03:29)
02. Fountain Of Love (05:11)
03. Outlaws (04:02)
04. Redeyes (03:33)
05. Wind Howlin' Through (03:04)
06. Priceless (04:20)
07. She Was Out There (05:14)
08. Down To The Ground (03:37)
09. She Never Told Me (05:50)

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