News

BMG is continuing its ongoing reissue series from Keith Richards’ solo catalogue on March 18 with a 30th anniversary edition of the Rolling Stone’s 1992 LP Main Offender.  The reissue follows BMG’s similar expansions of Richards’ solo debut Talk Is Cheap and the X-Pensive Winos’ concert album Live at the Hollywood Palladium, and will be available in the following formats:

• 2CD/3LP Super Deluxe Edition;
• 2CD Mediabook;
• 1CD Standard Edition;
• 1LP Black or Limited Edition Red Vinyl; and
• Digitally.

Richards returned to the studio between The Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels and Voodoo Lounge albums to record his second solo album, Main Offender.  The album reunited him with his fellow X-Pensive Winos Steve Jordan and Waddy Wachtel, both of whom co-produced with Richards and played on the LP.  (Drummer Jordan recently joined The Rolling Stones in the wake of the passing of Charlie Watts.)  Charley Drayton and Ivan Neville of the Winos also queued up to join Keef once again, lending a sonic consistency to Talk Is Cheap, Main Offender, and Live at the Hollywood Palladium.

Sessions took place in various studios in spring and summer 1992, with vocalists Sarah Dash (of Labelle), Bernard Fowler (of The Rolling Stones’ organization) and Babi Floyd participating as well as a woodwind section.  Main Offender was released on the Virgin label in October 1992, and was greeted warmly.  The 11-track album featuring ten original songs plus a cover of blues staple “Key to the Highway” ultimately yielded two hit singles, “Wicked as It Seems” (No. 3, Billboard Mainstream Rock) and “Eileen” (No. 17, Mainstream Rock).  The album itself peaked within the top half of the Billboard 200 and fared even better in the U.K. where it reached the top 50.

The Super Deluxe box set includes the original album on CD and LP, and adds the previously unreleased Winos Live in London ’92 album, recorded at the Kentish Town, London club Town and Country, on CD and 2 LPs.  (The concert features “Wicked as It Seems” and “Eileen” as well as Stones favorites such as “Happy,” “Before They Make Me Run,” and “Gimme Shelter.”)  The 2 CDs and 3 smoke-colored LPs are housed in an 88-page, leatherbound book format including previously unpublished photos, replicas of handwritten lyric pages, and reprints of essays from the album’s original release.  A “swag” envelope containing replicas of promotional tour materials is also included.  Remastering for all editions has been overseen by Steve Jordan.

If you just want the music, BMG is offering is a 2CD mediabook with the same remastered album and 12-track Winos Live in London album as well as a 1CD version of the remastered album only.  The remastered LP will be available on black vinyl and a limited, red vinyl pressing.  All formats, including digital, will be available on March 18.  You’ll find the track listing as well as pre-order links below!

Keith Richards, Main Offender: 30th Anniversary Edition (Virgin V2 86499, 1992 – reissued BMG, 2022)

2CD/3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP Red Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Original Album

1. 999
2. Wicked As It Seems
3. Eileen
4. Words of Wonder
5. Yap Yap
6. Bodytalks
7. Hate It When You Leave
8. Runnin’ Too Deep
9. Will But You Won’t
10. Demon

Winos Live in London ’92

1. Take It So Hard
2. 999
3. Wicked As It Seems
4. How I Wish
5. Gimme Shelter
6. Hate It When You Leave
7. Before They Make Me Run
8. Eileen
9. Will But You Won’t
10. Bodytalks
11. Happy
12. Whip It Up