Defend the Indefensible: The Stones' Black & Blue

They played it a few tmes in 2002, it's even on Four Flicks.

 

It would be great if Billy Preston toured with them again. A version of "Melody" would be "inspired" and unexpected. They could also get into some of the cool "Goat's Head Soup" tracks.

 

From what I understand, the Stones did make an effort to shake up the setlist a little bit during the Licks tour.

 

Just check the Olympia Concert from the Four Flicks DVD, great setlist, like "Neighbours, Hand Of Fate, No Expectations, Worried About You, Doo Doo (Heartbreaker), Stray Cat Blues, Dance (Pt.1), Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, That´s How Strong My Love Is, Going to a Go-Go, Before They Make Me Run, Love Train" among some other classics. I made a Cd-r of that DVD, great concert.

 

CD question;
Is there only one Virgin release on CD? Or, is there a "remaster"? #'s please.

Thanks.
Steve posted he liked the CBS/Columbia, however others stated Virgin "remaster".

 

I *think* that there's only one Virgin version, which is the current remaster. It's sensational. One of the best CD's I have. I no longer long for the vinyl version.

(Although if I see it again, it's mine! )

 

box set

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I bought this Japanese box set called The Rolling Stones "A Bigger Bang" world tour 2005-2006 Special Edition".
It has all the Stones Cd's from the 70's, "Sticky Fingers" to "Tattoo You", they sound good to these old ears.

 

On the original poster that came with Goats Head Soup!

 

Taken on the beach in Clearwater, FL near where Keef slept/dreamt/wrote "Satisfaction" some 10 years earlier!

 

Yes, Black and Blue is one of my favorite Stones albums. Admittedly, with the exception of the Mick Taylor era, competent guitar playing is not one of their strong suits. Black and Blue being a rare exception where the guitar tracks were exceptional.

Besides feeling that Black and Blue is a relatively strong album I have memories tied to that recording which make it even more appealing.

Billy Preston is strong, Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins are strong. Without their contributions it is quite possible that this album would not have been exceptional in the least.

 

I loved that LP since I got it in 8th grade (right after it came out in the Spring of '76 this was my 3rd Stones LP/8 track ("Hot Rocks" & "Made In The Shade" being 1st and 2nd) - and like "Made in The Shade" it was also on one of those really cheap "Pink" Rolling Stones Records (Atlantic) 8 tracks!
But for right now the Virgin Remaster mini CD sounds great to me!

Back then the Pic of Ron Wood on cover always thru me, till I got to be an "expert" on the band and realized he had just replaced the excellent Mr. Taylor just the year before!!

 

LYL - Yeah just a Great Rockin, raunchy guitar (nothing quite like Fenders cranking thru Ampeg Tube amps into overload distortion !!) party LP -
The extended version of "You Got to Move" with Billie Preston is great!
"Star, Star " blows away the mellow (by comparison) studio version off "Goats head".
"FingerPrint File" is much better than the Studio version on IORR as well!

The El McCambo Side especially just rocks! Keef's guitar solo (both the tone & the way it recklessly rips into and takes over the song completely) in "Around & Around" is The Definition of Rock n' Roll! (Much like Woody's slide solo did on Rod's "Twistin The Night Away" from Never a Dull Moment!!!

 

The "El Mo" was a great little club to see a live band http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/VOLUME06/El_Mocambo.html

 

Did you see the Stones there?

 

No. I was too young, but if you think about most people didn't see the Stones there (limited seating).

 

The best song on B&B?

Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name

Came home one morning about quarter to three
I'm banging on my door cause I just lost my key
Open up, baby, you got someone else inside
I'm going to come get you dead or alive

Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name

I took her out dancing but she drank away my cash
She said, "I'm going to fix my face don't you worry I'll be back"
I'm looking for her high and low like a mustard for a ham
She was crashed out in the bathroom
In the arms of my best friend

Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name...

Then one day she left me
She took everything that moved
My car, she took my trailer home
She took my Sunday boots
My nose is on her trail
I'm going to catch her by surprise
Then I'm going to have the pleasure
To roast that child alive

Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name
Melody, it was her second name...

Love it

 

"Crazy Mama" makes a great closer. One of my favorite rocker tracks of theirs.

 

My close friend, heavily into black music recently ranked Black and Blue as his third favorite record of all time so it's hardly the "indefensible". A great cool record which simply requires a certain mood and musical taste.

 

My fav Stones LP - quite a shock after two lackluster albums. An LP compiling my fav cuts from IORR and GHS would not touch this one.

The jammiest thing they ever released and has some great ballads too. And they sound like they are in the room with you.

 

I don't think lackluster applies to ANY 70's Stones record. They were all great, it's just that the decade started with two 11/10 records.

 

I will say GHS and IORR are better than anything released after Tattoo You until A Bigger Bang

 

I LOVE both GHS and IORR. Start to finish. Classic Stones in my book.

 

Insert Slave before Hand of Fate and Worried About You before Crazy Mama - a very good album becomes a classic.

 

Another vote for Black And Blue. The perfect summer album. I play it often when I just want to chill.