Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Like The Rolling Stones
Well I've now heard both shows (LIKE THE ROLLING STONES BBC radio 2). And they did not disappoint.
Nothing earth shattering revealed. Mostly stuff you already knew about your favorite band - The Rolling Stones, but good and lots of snatches of conversations with Mick, Keith, Ronnie, Charlie and also Don Was.
What I found very noticeable was the blanking out of previous members of the Rolling Stones. I don't think that Brian Jones or Mick Taylor got a mention, and Bill Wyman was only mentioned once (a comment by the interviewer that Ronnie has now been in the band longer than Bill was.)
Lots of airings of the big singles and best of the Stone's album tracks. Show two concentrated more on A Bigger Bang. And...
...I'm beginning to be convinced that those that say A Bigger Bang is the best Rolling Stones studio album in years - have got it right.
I suspect that there may not be a 'Brown Sugar' or 'Satisfaction' on the album, but it does seem that the Stones are back on form and gone is that overproduction and over use of session musicians that has blighted later albums.
Sounds like the blues harp is back. Seems Mick is playing it, and playing it well, on several tracks. Charlie spoke about his throat cancer and how he was scared that he wouldn't last more than three months. And the rest of the Rolling Stones spoke about how powerfully Charlie played on the recordings, as if to say "look I've beaten this thing".
Ronnie talked about his addiction to the booze and how hard it is to stay on the wagon. Says that no matter how many times he falls off, he'll keep trying. Many of the commentators claimed that A Bigger Bang is mainly Mick's baby. But from what I've heard of the album its got Keith's fingerprints all over it. Lots of talk about how the Glimmer twins wrote the songs together, something that they have not done for a Rolling Stones album in many a long year.
Comment by Keith "It's nice to know that people think that I'm made of cast iron, and you know what? Maybe I am!"
Nothing earth shattering revealed. Mostly stuff you already knew about your favorite band - The Rolling Stones, but good and lots of snatches of conversations with Mick, Keith, Ronnie, Charlie and also Don Was.
What I found very noticeable was the blanking out of previous members of the Rolling Stones. I don't think that Brian Jones or Mick Taylor got a mention, and Bill Wyman was only mentioned once (a comment by the interviewer that Ronnie has now been in the band longer than Bill was.)
Lots of airings of the big singles and best of the Stone's album tracks. Show two concentrated more on A Bigger Bang. And...
...I'm beginning to be convinced that those that say A Bigger Bang is the best Rolling Stones studio album in years - have got it right.
I suspect that there may not be a 'Brown Sugar' or 'Satisfaction' on the album, but it does seem that the Stones are back on form and gone is that overproduction and over use of session musicians that has blighted later albums.
Sounds like the blues harp is back. Seems Mick is playing it, and playing it well, on several tracks. Charlie spoke about his throat cancer and how he was scared that he wouldn't last more than three months. And the rest of the Rolling Stones spoke about how powerfully Charlie played on the recordings, as if to say "look I've beaten this thing".
Ronnie talked about his addiction to the booze and how hard it is to stay on the wagon. Says that no matter how many times he falls off, he'll keep trying. Many of the commentators claimed that A Bigger Bang is mainly Mick's baby. But from what I've heard of the album its got Keith's fingerprints all over it. Lots of talk about how the Glimmer twins wrote the songs together, something that they have not done for a Rolling Stones album in many a long year.
Comment by Keith "It's nice to know that people think that I'm made of cast iron, and you know what? Maybe I am!"
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Rolling Stones on the Radio Tonight.
Things to Remember for Rolling Stones Concert 43 thousand people are expected to attend the Rolling Stones concert in Ottawa on Sunday evening. Now that's a fair few people.
The Rolling Stones add another 15 dates to US tour More US shows from the Stones. Go on boys, show 'em you've still got it, and in spades.
BBC radio 2 tonight (Saturday) 2133 – 2230 LIKE THE ROLLING STONES. Second part Monday at 1900 – 2000
Judging by the blurbs, these shows should be good, good, good. They were recorded in Toronto, Canada, earlier on this month, so it's good and fresh.
The Stones will talk about their place in music in 2005, about being on tour and what goes down behind the scenes and on the stage. Be nice if they say something about the recording of ' A Bigger Bang' too.
I shall definitely be a listening to both shows. For those of you in foreign parts, I'm pretty sure that BBC radio 2 is available on-line.
The Rolling Stones add another 15 dates to US tour More US shows from the Stones. Go on boys, show 'em you've still got it, and in spades.
BBC radio 2 tonight (Saturday) 2133 – 2230 LIKE THE ROLLING STONES. Second part Monday at 1900 – 2000
Judging by the blurbs, these shows should be good, good, good. They were recorded in Toronto, Canada, earlier on this month, so it's good and fresh.
The Stones will talk about their place in music in 2005, about being on tour and what goes down behind the scenes and on the stage. Be nice if they say something about the recording of ' A Bigger Bang' too.
I shall definitely be a listening to both shows. For those of you in foreign parts, I'm pretty sure that BBC radio 2 is available on-line.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Rolling Stones 'Start Me Up With a Bang'
Well it happened. The first night of the Rolling Stones new world tour. And by all accounts it went with a BANG.
Seems that they kicked off with a rendition of Start Me Up, now I could be wrong, but haven't the boys done that before? Like used that number to open their shows on maybe one or three other Rolling Stones world tours? Still I don't suppose there is a song better suited.
It's reported that the set list was pretty much as you would expect, all the favs and all the raves - with some that were maybe a bit of a surprise, The Worst, She's So Cold, Heartbreaker, and Beast of Burden. Plus a version of Ray Charles' 'Night Time Is the Right Time.'
Showcasing the new Rolling Stones album 'A Bigger Bang' they played Back of My Hand, Rough Justice, Oh No, Not You Again and Infamy. But not the controversial Neo-Con, or the awful Streets of Love.
Arnold Schwarzenegger he was there, he's just an old Stone's groupie.
Yep, all the critics are full of praise. A jolly good time was had by one and all. Oh, the show was at Boston's Fenway Park in case you didn't know that. Some time in the not too distant future the Rolling Stones will roll by you. Will you be going to the show? Methinks I quite likely will. Yes I've said to myself on more than one occasion, "what's the point of seeing the Stones in some massive stadium, when all you can really see is the video screen? I've seen 'em, been there done that, got the Rolling Stones tee shirt (the Voodoo Lounge Bunny Man one actually)" But...
...It's the Stones man, you gotta go see them.
So when they hit London, which will happen sooner than I think - this first show was ages away and now it's happened, I'll be there at Wembley. And, barring some miracle, it won't be in one of them mega bucks seats on the stage, it'll be watching the Rolling Stones on the video screen... and I'll be enjoying every second off it, just like the folks last night at Fenway Park.
Seems that they kicked off with a rendition of Start Me Up, now I could be wrong, but haven't the boys done that before? Like used that number to open their shows on maybe one or three other Rolling Stones world tours? Still I don't suppose there is a song better suited.
It's reported that the set list was pretty much as you would expect, all the favs and all the raves - with some that were maybe a bit of a surprise, The Worst, She's So Cold, Heartbreaker, and Beast of Burden. Plus a version of Ray Charles' 'Night Time Is the Right Time.'
Showcasing the new Rolling Stones album 'A Bigger Bang' they played Back of My Hand, Rough Justice, Oh No, Not You Again and Infamy. But not the controversial Neo-Con, or the awful Streets of Love.
Arnold Schwarzenegger he was there, he's just an old Stone's groupie.
Yep, all the critics are full of praise. A jolly good time was had by one and all. Oh, the show was at Boston's Fenway Park in case you didn't know that. Some time in the not too distant future the Rolling Stones will roll by you. Will you be going to the show? Methinks I quite likely will. Yes I've said to myself on more than one occasion, "what's the point of seeing the Stones in some massive stadium, when all you can really see is the video screen? I've seen 'em, been there done that, got the Rolling Stones tee shirt (the Voodoo Lounge Bunny Man one actually)" But...
...It's the Stones man, you gotta go see them.
So when they hit London, which will happen sooner than I think - this first show was ages away and now it's happened, I'll be there at Wembley. And, barring some miracle, it won't be in one of them mega bucks seats on the stage, it'll be watching the Rolling Stones on the video screen... and I'll be enjoying every second off it, just like the folks last night at Fenway Park.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Rain Fall Down... With A Bigger Bang
Don't have time to post this, but I'm posting it anyway.
I heard yet another track from the new Rolling Stones album A Bigger Bang.
Yes! Like it. Not as much as Rough Justice or Back of my Hand but, it's good, very good. Infinitely better than Streets of Love.
First impression on the one hearing - Sort of reminded me of the Rolling Stones of 'Miss You' in a way. Lots of funky guitar work, mixed very high I'm glad to say. Sounded like there was just drums, bass, guitars and possibly a synthesizer (Chuck Leval ?)
Lyrics about a sexual encounter. Mick's voice sounded strong although he was half singing, half talking his way through the song.
I think I'm gonna like A Bigger Bang. Could be it really is a return to the good stuff from the Rolling Stones, and about time too. 16 tracks makes it good value (if the tracks are good) Truly a Bigger Bang for your buck!
Some interesting stuff and some good quotes from Mick and Keith here:
Rolling Stones 'Bigger Bang' Tour
I heard yet another track from the new Rolling Stones album A Bigger Bang.
Yes! Like it. Not as much as Rough Justice or Back of my Hand but, it's good, very good. Infinitely better than Streets of Love.
First impression on the one hearing - Sort of reminded me of the Rolling Stones of 'Miss You' in a way. Lots of funky guitar work, mixed very high I'm glad to say. Sounded like there was just drums, bass, guitars and possibly a synthesizer (Chuck Leval ?)
Lyrics about a sexual encounter. Mick's voice sounded strong although he was half singing, half talking his way through the song.
I think I'm gonna like A Bigger Bang. Could be it really is a return to the good stuff from the Rolling Stones, and about time too. 16 tracks makes it good value (if the tracks are good) Truly a Bigger Bang for your buck!
Some interesting stuff and some good quotes from Mick and Keith here:
Rolling Stones 'Bigger Bang' Tour
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Rough Justice and Late Justice...
A bit of news about Brian Jones
Police Reinvestigate Rolling Stone's Death
I heard it at last - the other half of the new Rolling Stones single - 'Rough Justice', and ... it's bloody good. Far, far better than 'Streets of Love'. It's raunchy and really rocks along.
Why then are all the DJ's only playing 'Streets of Love'? Could it be perhaps, one or two of the lyrics on 'Rough Justice'? 40 odd years down the road and the Rolling Stones are still being controversial.
I've also heard...
...a little bit of 'Back of my Hand' Woah! This is the blues, this is raw, this is nothing less than great, this is the Rolling Stones! From what I heard of this track it could have come straight off 'Exile'.
Who's playing the blues harp? If that's Jagger, he has never played it better.
Police Reinvestigate Rolling Stone's Death
I heard it at last - the other half of the new Rolling Stones single - 'Rough Justice', and ... it's bloody good. Far, far better than 'Streets of Love'. It's raunchy and really rocks along.
Why then are all the DJ's only playing 'Streets of Love'? Could it be perhaps, one or two of the lyrics on 'Rough Justice'? 40 odd years down the road and the Rolling Stones are still being controversial.
I've also heard...
...a little bit of 'Back of my Hand' Woah! This is the blues, this is raw, this is nothing less than great, this is the Rolling Stones! From what I heard of this track it could have come straight off 'Exile'.
Who's playing the blues harp? If that's Jagger, he has never played it better.
