Stones' Ron Wood sober and on a roll

LONDON, April 23 (UPI) -- Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says he has gotten his artistic second wind since getting himself clean and sober more than a year ago.

In an interview with Britain's The Guardian, the 63-year-old rock veteran says he received some compliments about his performances during the recording of his recent solo album that indicated he was thinking clearer than he had in a while.

"Even Rod (Stewart) came down to some of the sessions in Los Angeles and said, 'Ron, you are now crowned a proper vocalist. I can't believe your improvement,'" Wood said in the interview published Saturday.

Wood said longtime Stones session player Bobby Womak congratulated him for being in the right key. "I used to be like a bull in a china shop," he said.

The Guardian said Wood also has been working as a painter and a disc jockey. He is, in fact, up for an award as the top newcomer in British radio.

"I'm much crazier and much more creative when I'm sober," he said.