Everyone is made in their own way», he says, «and maybe I was stupid to put myself in such risky situations… but listen, we only have one life, let's enjoy it».
Main Offender, was really a way to send Mick to hell, even if obviously it wasn't the main theme of the record. First of all because I was offended by the idea of being forced to make solo records, it had never been in my plans. In hindsight, I realized that the Rolling Stones were in a bubble and the time had come when we would have to take flight, one way or another. That record was my way of doing it and I really enjoyed it. I loved playing with the Winos. I still play with Steve Jordan because he's in the Stones now, but that's another story.
I love playing the bass. It's always been like this in the Stones too. I play it on Sympathy for the Devil. Also in Jumping Jack Flash, Happy and others.
Yes. I like playing bass. Sometimes I think I should just do that. That said, Words of Wonder was a great song written by Waddy, and I had lived in Jamaica for years. So I said I would play the bass. Reggae is perfect for that instrument. And Robbie, god bless him… Robbie Shakespeare was a great friend, he just passed away.
In the new X-Pensive Winos live box I sing Gimme Shelter. Before listening to it again I had forgotten that a version made with the Winos existed.
I remembered the day I wrote it, it was raining and I was in Mount Street, London. There was a storm, people were running to take shelter, the piece came out like that, from that simple image.
Then I realized that I had to expand it, that there isn't just one storm, that there are many. I hadn't heard it sung by me before, it gives me a feeling of urgency. I've always had a soft spot for Gimme Shelter.
Mick then helped write the piece expanding it.
Especially when I said that there was a need for a female figure, for a duet. So the piece turned into… I don't know, it gave it a different dimension, visually and especially on stage. I mean, rapes and murders always attract public attention, right?
