Review: Fearless: Anthology 1965-2025 by Ronnie Wood

Many younger rock and roll fans may not even realize that guitarist Ron Wood wasn’t a member of the band until 1975. These past 50 years have made Wood one of the most recognizable guitarists in the world, just behind partner Keith Richards. But aside from longstanding work in the Stones, Wood has enjoyed a fertile career as a solo musician with seven albums to his name. He was also a member of various influential bands.

That far-reaching history was detailed in book form on his 2017 autobiography (‘Ronnie Wood:Artist’) and now gets a second audio recap in this two-disc compilation. Fans know that much of this was already assembled on 2006s impressive 37 track ‘Anthology;The Essential Crossexion.’ But that is now nearly a quarter of a century old, long enough for this new double CD to bring us current on Wood’s extensive history.

Unlike the previous release which isolated Wood’s solo work on one platter and his contributions to bands on the second, this presents the songs in strict chronological order. The compilers focus on Wood’s own recordings, relegating his lesser known pre-Stones activity for The Birds (not the US The Byrds), The Creation, The Jeff Beck Group (where he played bass), along with higher profile work for Faces and Rod Stewart, to just a handful of selections. Those, all co-penned by Wood, are summarized in the opening dozen choices. Twenty-one of his offerings then share time with a handful of Stones’ co-writes. The music of Richards’ notorious side project The New Barbarians, which famously included Wood, is conspicuous in its absence.

Since Wood was the only guitarist in Faces, his playing is more easily identified in that outfit than when he shares duties with Richards. Although Wood has a serviceable, somewhat ragged/reedy voice, used to wonderful effect on the Faces’ “Ooh La La,” he’s no Mick Jagger. Still, he puts across his songs with enthusiasm though, making rollicking, largely obscure efforts such as “I Can Say She’s Alright” (from 1975s ‘Now Look’) and “Lost and Lonely” (on 1979s ‘Gimme Some Neck’) connect with an enjoyable, sweetly shambolic approach. His Chuck Berry/Stones-isms are emphasized in the rowdy “Outlaws.” The vibe also gets swampy on a Billy Gibbons co-write “Thing About You.”

But this also presents Woods’ tender side in the acoustic, folksy “Whadd’ya Think” and 2010s “Why You Wanna Go Do a Thing Like That,” a reflective John Prine/Dylan-styled ballad co-written with Kris Kristofferson. The collection unearths the seldom heard, Wood co-composed, “Pretty Beat Up,” a repetitious slice of skewed New York City early 80s dance funk that alters the album’s tone but is far from Wood or the Stones’ best. He displays his distinctive slide skills on the bluesy mid-tempo soul of “Somebody Else Might” (from 1992s ‘Slide on This’) and an affection for stripped-down reggae in the Stones’ “Hey Negrita,” another deep track.

Four previously unreleased songs close this two hour recap. They are highlighted by a version of the New Orleans oldie “A Certain Girl,” featuring a sultry vocal from Chrissie Hynde, a swinging doo-wop influenced cover of The Falcons’ “You’re So Fine,” and “Mother of Pearl,” another reggae infused Wood original.

Some may quibble with what has been omitted. But there is enough terrific music on ‘Fearless:Anthology 1965-2025’ to convince any rock and roll fan that the talented Ronnie Wood has often been at the right place at the right time and has a stellar gathering of highlights to prove it.

Tracklisting:

Disk 1 

1. 1You're On My MindHörprobe Track 1: You're On My Mind
2. 2The Girls Are NakedHörprobe Track 2: The Girls Are Naked
3. 3Plynth (Water Down The Drain)Hörprobe Track 3: Plynth (Water Down The Drain)
4. 4FlyingHörprobe Track 4: Flying
5. 5Gasoline AlleyHörprobe Track 5: Gasoline Alley
6. 6Had Me A Real Good TimeHörprobe Track 6: Had Me A Real Good Time
7. 7Every Picture Tells A StoryHörprobe Track 7: Every Picture Tells A Story
8. 8Miss Judy's FarmHörprobe Track 8: Miss Judy's Farm
9. 9Stay With MeHörprobe Track 9: Stay With Me
10. 10Too BadHörprobe Track 10: Too Bad
11. 11True BlueHörprobe Track 11: True Blue
12. 12Ooh La LaHörprobe Track 12: Ooh La La
13. 13I Can Feel The FireHörprobe Track 13: I Can Feel The Fire
14. 14Mystifies MeHörprobe Track 14: Mystifies Me
15. 15Far East ManHörprobe Track 15: Far East Man
16. 16Breathe On MeHörprobe Track 16: Breathe On Me
17. 17I Can Say She's AlrightHörprobe Track 17: I Can Say She's Alright
18. 18Now LookHörprobe Track 18: Now Look

Disk 2 

1. 1Hey NegritaHörprobe Track 1: Hey Negrita
2. 2Just For A MomentHörprobe Track 2: Just For A Moment
3. 3Lost And LonelyHörprobe Track 3: Lost And Lonely
4. 4Seven DaysHörprobe Track 4: Seven Days
5. 5Dance (Pt 1)Hörprobe Track 5: Dance (Pt 1)
6. 6Everything Is Turning To GoldHörprobe Track 6: Everything Is Turning To Gold
7. 7Black LimousineHörprobe Track 7: Black Limousine
8. 8No Use In CryingHörprobe Track 8: No Use In Crying
9. 9OutlawsHörprobe Track 9: Outlaws
10. 10Pretty Beat UpHörprobe Track 10: Pretty Beat Up
11. 11Somebody Else MightHörprobe Track 11: Somebody Else Might
12. 12This Little HeartHörprobe Track 12: This Little Heart
13. 13Whadd'ya ThinkHörprobe Track 13: Whadd'ya Think
14. 14I Gotta SeeHörprobe Track 14: I Gotta See
15. 15Thing About YouHörprobe Track 15: Thing About You
16. 16Why You Wanna Go Do A Thing Like ThatHörprobe Track 16: Why You Wanna Go Do A Thing Like That
17. 17Mother Of Pearl (previously unreleased)Hörprobe Track 17: Mother Of Pearl (previously unreleased)
18. 18A Certain Girl feat. Chrissie Hynde (previously unreleased)Hörprobe Track 18: A Certain Girl feat. Chrissie Hynde (previously unreleased)
19. 19Take It Easy (previously unreleased)Hörprobe Track 19: Take It Easy (previously unreleased)
20. 20You're So Fine (previously unreleased)