(03-05-2020, 14:46)Ruby Wrote: Keith Richards: Under the Influence



Richards can’t sing to save his life – fortunately it seems unlikely he’ll ever have to use his voice for that purpose! Maybe he could, at some point, but years of ingesting every substance known to man put paid to those vocal chords. I swear there wasn’t a single frame in the movie where he didn’t have a ciggie in his hand or mouth. He’s quite the most cheerful reprobate I think I’ve ever seen – maybe that’s what it is; he laughs a lot and obviously doesn’t give a single damn what anyone thinks of him, no inferiority complexes whatsoever – an unashamedly hedonistic lover of life which continues to amuse him, greatly.

Despite what anyone might presume given the number of times he’s fried the remnants of his brain – he’s not unintelligent and he lives and breathes (well – shares breaths with) music. Looks as though he’s riddled with arthritis but that doesn’t seem to bother him unduly and he certainly knows his way around a few instruments – not just the guitar. In this film he reckons he’s a better bassist than anything else. It was interesting to learn, again, how he and Jagger were so heavily influenced by the blues – as were any number of the British bands of the era. Clips here of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf and Tom Waits among others. Mr Richards has certainly left no stone unturned or made no turn unstoned, or something along those 'lines', pardon the pun! Lol! Had to laugh at a Waits comment that one thing you must never aim to do is keep up with him when indulging in a few drinks – not a good idea.

What can I say – it was an entertaining watch – interesting to see his musical influences (the title has a double meaning I’d say) and to see how upbeat he remains – I don’t think he ever stopped being mischievous – he’s naughty by nature. And open too – totally unapologetic about any of his peccadillos. No idea how that body is supporting his life force, but it seems to be holding up surprising well! Incidentally, he also loves reggae and is a country music fan – mentions that some of those guys, Johnny Cash et al, left the rockers in the shade when it came to debauchery which is quite a scary thought!! Never been a huge Rolling Stones fan but it was still worth seeing IMHO. I think I tried to listen to his recentish solo album Crosseyed Heart but just couldn’t get through it, if I recall correctly.