Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos Keith Richards/Germany 1992 Complete Soundboard Edition

The classic stereo soundboard recording of Cologne produced from Keith’s 1992 European tour with the album “MAIN OFFENDER”. It’s a fond memory now that the release rush in 1992 was created due to the fact that the tour was broadcast on TV and the sound was stereo, which was realized soon after the tour started. However, it is also nostalgic that all the real-time releases at that time were released in a mono state. Since it was originally a mix for TV broadcast, the mix was inconsistent compared to live albums and radio broadcasts, and although it was basically stereo, it is true that some songs had a mix that was not very separated. On the other hand, “Eileen”, “Too Rude” and “I Could Have Stood You Up” were finished with a solid stereo feeling, but even listening to it again, it was a rather strange mix. However, it is true that there was a clear difference between the real-time release, which was seriously mono, and the original stereo. After that, 20 years after the live performance, items such as “HOOP ARENA ROCKS 1992” finally appeared, which was recorded in the original stereo, but even that was released 10 years ago. The 1992 Cologne was gradually forgotten, but this time, an audio file recorded in stereo from the TV broadcast at that time provided by the British heavyweight Taper was sent. Unlike the items that were mistakenly released in mono at the time, the actual broadcast was very clear and natural, although the stereo mix was uneven for the reasons mentioned above. There are also songs with a rough balance that is attractive in a good sense, and the previously mentioned “Eileen” has an extremely loud sound of Keith’s guitar, and the vivid stereo feeling that is different from the excellent finish of the live album where the mix is ​​neatly organized is also attractive. That was not felt at all from the real-time items at the time in 1992. Therefore, the charm of the 1992 tour as a live album with the highest sound quality stereo soundboard recording in the entire work has not faded at all. On the contrary, it is a pity that the soundboard recording that represents 1992 has now been completely overlooked. In that case, it was inevitable that the recording would be in stereo. As I said at the beginning, the recording included the TV broadcast, but I can’t help but think that Keith was very generous in allowing filming and recording on the second day of the tour. Unlike the Stones, it was the beginning of the tour where he had to act as the frontman, so it was understandable, but when you look at the footage from that day, it’s amusing to see that Keith was clearly nervous. Therefore, when you listen to the live album with only the audio, it’s amusing to see how carefully he played, especially at the beginning of the live. In the video, I was bothered by Keith playing while sweating from the beginning of the live and his eyes were not smiling (lol), but it was rather refreshing to see him trying to play carefully the songs from “MAIN OFFENDER”, which is a collection of songs with catchy melodies, while being nervous. I can’t help but think that he is playing from an album full of great songs, such as “Yap Yap” and “Hate It When You Leave”. Keith, who was a little nervous, started to get used to “Time Is On My Side” with Sarah Dash as the lead vocalist, and relaxed. Although it was the standard soundboard for the “MAIN OFFENDER” tour, the Cologne 92 had very few items recorded in stereo. This time, it is a genuine stereo and extremely clear soundboard. Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany 29th November 1992 STEREO SBD UPGRADE Disc:1 (53:17) 1. Intro 2. Take It So Hard 3. Eileen 4. Wicked As It Seems 5. Gimme Shelter 6. Too Rude 7. Yap Yap 8. How I Wish 9. 999 10. Big Enough Disc:2 (55:50) 1. Demon 2. Time Is on My Side 3. Hate It When You Leave 4. I Could Have Stood You Up 5. Before They Make Me Run 6. Band Introductions 7. Bodytalks 8. Will But You Won’t 9. Happy 10. Whip It Up Keith Richards – Guitar, Vocals Waddy Wachtel – Guitar, Backing Vocals Ivan Neville – Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals Charley Drayton – Bass, Drums, Backing Vocals Steve Jordan – Drums, Bass, Backing Vocals Bobby Keys – Saxophone, Percussion Sarah Dash – Vocals Babi Floyd – Backing Vocals, Percussion STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING