Keith Richards

Recorded on December 15, 1988, during the tour for Talk Is Cheap, Live at the Hollywood Palladium is a loose, groove-laden affair, featuring the best from Keith Richards' first solo album as well as some Stones classics -- mostly tunes he took lead vocals on. Opening with "Take It So Hard," the first thing that hits the listener is the lack of the gloss that was probably the only drawback to Talk Is Cheap, which is a very good thing, because while the album was still leaps and bounds more real than, say, Dirty Work, this live collection is loose without ever getting away from the band, and has an organic feel not present in the Stones' work since the early '70s. Rockers like "Whip It Up" and "Struggle" swagger, while Sarah Dash shines on "Make No Mistake" and "Time Is On My Side." Richards even manages to get into the reggae groove without sounding too clichéd on "Too Rude." Live at the Hollywood Palladium is a solid live album that stands head and shoulders above most of the Stones' live records, and is easily a must-have for any serious Rolling Stones or Keith Richards fan. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide