The Rolling Stones have released 27 studio albums since their debut in 1964. In related news, the Rolling Stones have released 28 live albums since their first, "Got Live If You Want It" in 1966. Many of those live albums were part of their "live archive" series, a practice that was once a unique treat for fans but has since become, like everything else, boring and pointless. Do we need a live recording from every night of a tour when the tour's set list mostly goes unchanged, save one or two audibles?
But even without that spate of archive releases, the Stones released eight live albums in their first 35 years! Many of them were real crap.
Of course, "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" is widely considered to be one of the greatest live albums of all time. And I won't take that away from it. Some think the greatest live performances ever given by the Stones were those in Texas that were filmed in 1972 for what became "Ladies & Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones." "Brussels 1973," once a cherished bootleg and now a commercial release as part of the "Goat's Head Soup" box, is another that tops many Stones' fans list. All of these are terrific. "Still Life," "Flashpoint," "No Security," and "Live Licks," not so much.
Personally, I think the short set played at London's Marquee Club in 1971 rivals them all. If they had only played "Live With Me" and nothing else, I might still feel the same. They launch into that song like they were shot out of a cannon, and they don't let up.
We recently got to hear the infamous Mocambo shows of 1977 in their entirety and again, the band is on fire. With respect to "Ya Ya's," as great as the band was in 1969, by comparison, the Marquee and Mocambo sets feel more exciting. Admittedly, that just might be because I've spent less time with the latter two.
But, my favorite "live" set of all, is "Stripped" from 1995. Not "Totally Stripped," or "Kinda Stripped," or "Stripped Again," or any of the inferior repackages that followed. Just "Stripped," a two LP set that was recorded at a few small venues in 1995, with some newly reworked acoustic versions of classics recorded live to tape at a few rehearsals.
The set list mixes deep cuts and obvious crowd pleasers. Mick's voice is as good as it's ever been live. The arrangements sound sincere, like the band actually cared. They even pull off a more than reasonable stab at "Like A Rolling Stone." "Stripped" plays perfectly, sequenced with love. It feels more like a fan curated collection than just another moneygrab. If you can't remember the last time you listened to "Stripped," that means you should listen to it toot sweet.
14 comments:
Totally agree about the endless crush of live releases. I suppose it's fun to have a live recording of the actual concert you attended -- where's my Springsteen at the Orange Bowl in 1985 when I was sixth row center? (it's probably available) -- but really. Choose the best performance and be done with it. Like you say, the set lists rarely vary so it does feel lazy and kind of cruel to completists.
I have never heard Stripped. But I will now.
The Stones probably are the worst example of playing the same songs to infinity, of any major band or artist I can think of. Paul McCartney would be a close second. And Steely Dan, whom I love, got so predictable near the end of the "real Steely Dan era" (when Walter Becker was alive) I had to just pass on them when they'd come to town, which killed me.
I wish more artists would take a version of the Dylan route and feature more new material in their shows. Now, Dylan could do with a little mixing up of setlists these days, aside from the occasional audibles called in 2023. But at least he's investing himself and his audience in new songs.
All of that being said - I actually like "Live Licks." I may be the only one. It's mostly for the version on it of Beast Of Burden and a great Worried About You, and a few other relative semi-rarities.
There are only 4 Stones lps that I still listen to: Exile, Let it Bleed, Brown Sugar and Stripped.
When I started reading this (28? Really?) I raced ahead mentally to "what about Stripped? That one's fantastic!" I've had friends over the years tell me the Stones suck live and would cite examples from Still Life or Love You Live. All I had to do to change theor minds was play something like Dead Flowers from Stripped,and they would get it. The Stones didn't suck live, especiallywhen Mick was actually singing, there were just some pretty meh live albums
There was a great bootleg of one of their Garden shows from 72 that I used to play obsessively.
Speaking of the Stones, they were in NYC a few days ago doing promo photos which I'm assuming is for their rumored new album that's apparently a tribute to Charlie Watts. Bill Wyman even confirmed that he played bass on one of the songs.
The original "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" was a real ear-opener for me back then and the complete/alternative/additional Ya-Ya's boots have only added to that pleasure since then so it still gets my vote. Cheers!
I'm an embarrassing Stones apologist and can even make an argument for 'Flashpoint' or "Live Licks" or any of them. But "Stripped" is my favorite as well.
Absolutely love El Mocambo. Think it's better than Ya Yas and therefore their best live album. I get it about Stripped, though. Not quite a double, so doesn't overstay its welcome. And it has Dead Flowers, so a big thumbs up from me.
Totally agree, Sal. "Stripped" is the direction they should have gone in.
Sal, you and I often have diametically different views of bands we both love. But your fave live Stones are the same as mine - especially when it comes to Stripped! I do have a soft spot in me heart for LOVE YOU LIVE. Tho side 4 is awful. GH
I like Stripped too.
"Stripped" has been on my Amazon Wish List for years, waiting for somebody in my family to pay attention to what I would really like for Christmas instead of "anything purple". Guess I'll just have to break down and get it myself!
Enjoyable read. And I completely agree with you regarding "Stripped", though
Ya-Ya's holds a special place in my heart. Always loved that album cover too!
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