Artist:     Ronnie Wood with His Wild Five

Album:     Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry

Label:     BMG

Release Date:     11.15.2019

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The fact that we have two Chuck Berry tribute albums released within two weeks of one another is purely coincidental—neither are marking any specific anniversary. Mike Zito hails from St. Louis, thus the rationale for his. Iconic Ronnie Wood’s rationale is initially more difficult to pin down, especially since the Rolling Stones’ member most closely associated with Berry is Keith Richards, but, of course, Berry is a hero to every rock ‘n’ roll guitar player. Like Keith Richards, Woods is a lifelong fan and has toured with Berry, (though Richards inducted Berry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and those two have been in films together). Nonetheless, Woods and his band The Wild Five recorded this live effort a year ago, a year after Berry’s passing, and this album will be the first in a trilogy of tributes to Woods’ musical heroes be recorded by this same unit in the coming years.

The 11 track album was recorded live at Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre and features guest appearances from singer Imelda May and pianist Ben Waters. Any recording with Imelda May aboard is one that demands some interest. While the album contains mostly Chuck Berry songs, Wood wrote the opening “Tribute to Chuck Berry” and Maceo Merriweather penned “Worried Life Blues.” The inclusion of the latter as well as Berry’s own “Blue Feeling” give the album a nice balance of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Also, just as Johnnie Johnson’s piano was integral part of Berry’s recordings, pianist Ben Waters handles that role well here.

Among the highlights are Imelda May’s rousing bluesy take on Berry’s “Wee Wee Hours,” Wood’s slide guitar playing on the title track and May again, this time bringing a splendid vocal on “Rock and Roll Music.” May also sings on “Almost Grown.” The energy throughout is strong with an engaged audience on familiar fare like “Back in the USA,” “Little Queenie” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Thankfully we’ll be hearing at least two more installments from this kick-ass band, honoring other musical heroes. Wood is a living legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. He does one of biggest mentors proud with this live set.

—Jim Hynes