Main Offender

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For the song by The Hives see Main Offender (song).
Main Offender
Main Offender cover
Studio album by Keith Richards
Released 19 October 1992
Recorded 18 March -
6 September 1992
Genre Rock
Length 49:53
Label Virgin
Producer Keith Richards,
Steve Jordan
and Waddy Wachtel
Professional reviews
Keith Richards chronology
Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1988
(1991)		 Main Offender
(1992)

Main Offender is Keith Richards' second solo studio album and his third overall. Released in 1992 in between The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels and Voodoo Lounge projects, Main Offender remains to date Richards' most recent offering as a solo artist.

Regrouping with his group of musician friends — known publicly as "The X-Pensive Winos" — Richards teamed up with Talk is Cheap collaborator, Steve Jordan, adding Waddy Watchel to the mix both in composing and producing Main Offender.

Sessions took place in California and New York City from March to September of 1992, with another round of touring scheduled that fall in Europe and early 1993 in North America.

When Richards would reunite with Mick Jagger (who was recording Wandering Spirit while Richards was making Main Offender) in mid-1993 to start work on Voodoo Lounge, Jagger would compliment Richards on Main Offender, even using lead single "Wicked As It Seems" as inspiration for The Rolling Stones' next single, "Love Is Strong".

Released in October 1992, Main Offender received another round of positive reviews, but failed to match the commercial success of Talk is Cheap, reaching #45 in the UK and #99 in the US where it has sold over 200,000 copies. Following the touring commitments in support of Main Offender, Richards would return to recording exclusively with The Rolling Stones and put his solo career on an indefinite hold.

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Keith Richards and Steve Jordan, except where noted.

  1. "999" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Waddy Watchel) – 5:50
  2. "Wicked As It Seems" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Charley Drayton) – 4:45
  3. "Eileen" – 4:29
  4. "Words Of Wonder" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Waddy Watchel) – 6:35
  5. "Yap Yap" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Waddy Watchel) – 4:43
  6. "Bodytalks" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Charley Drayton/Sarah Dash) – 5:20
  7. "Hate It When You Leave" (Keith Richards/Steve Jordan/Waddy Watchel) – 4:59
  8. "Runnin' Too Deep" – 3:20
  9. "Will But You Won't" – 5:05
  10. "Demon" – 4:45

[edit] Musicians

  • Jack Bashkow - Woodwind
  • Crispin Cioe - Woodwind
  • Sarah Dash - Vocals
  • Charlie Drayton - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Organ
  • Babi Floyd - Vocals
  • Bernard Fowler - Vocals
  • Arno Hecht - Woodwind
  • Steve Jordan - Vocals, Organ, Drums, Conga, Percussion, Castanets
  • Ivan Neville - Bass, Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Clavinet, Vibes
  • Keith Richards - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
  • Waddy Wachtel - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Celeste

[edit] Charts

Album

Year Chart Position
1992 UK Top 75 Albums 45
1992 The Billboard 200 99
1993 The Billboard 200 192

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1992 "Wicked As It Seems" Mainstream Rock Tracks 3
1993 "Eileen" Mainstream Rock Tracks 17