The Rolling Stones (est. 1962) Pt. IV
Live + Solo 1965-2007

Which album may I show you?

1965 got LIVE if you want it! (EP)- The opening track is in actuality, just fans repeating “...we want the stones...” for a short while. The title of this album was culled from the Slim Harpo song Got Love If You Want It. It is a neat little collection of live tracks which in it’s seemingly inadequate length, is still far better than the disastrous hoax of an LP released in the US under the same name in 1966.

1966 got LIVE if you want it! (LP)- The infamous Royal Albert Hall performance would have been perfect for the Stones first live album. It is however, more of myth than legend. The sound system was no match for the riotous fans whom after only a few songs, forced the Stones to flee the stage with little more than their hides intact. The legend of this aborted show was re-born within moments, but myth took over once this album was released. With little decipherable music to begin with, the big-wigs at London Records threw together a series of songs from a variety of sources to accommodate a full-length album. The most flagrant of deceptions being the inclusion of songs which were not even performed live. In the case of Fortune Teller and I’ve Been Loving You Too Long, tracks recorded in the studio were fused (quite poorly) with crowd banter to simulate a live recording. On another note, 19th Nervous Breakdown is performed way off-key with Mick jumping ahead of the music at times and struggling to allow it to catch up. Curiously, the opening track Under My Thumb translated quite differently to compact disc (CD) twenty years later, where it appears to be from a completely different source. That song, along with the following Get Off of My Cloud provide the most exciting opening of any Stones live album but quickly falls apart afterwards.
rating-**

Jagger in '69

1970 Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out - Though far better than their previous live music offerings, Ya-Ya's was not free of studio tampering. This was initially intended to be a double-album memento of the highly successful 1969 tour with an entire side allotted to Ike & Tina Turner. The Stones wanted to feature their opening act citing the importance to the success of the tour, yet London heads thought otherwise and did not allow it. This eventual single-disc title was their second live set named in respect to a Slim Harpo song. A token of the 1969 Madison Square Garden gigs [with a gift from Baltimore], this was the Stones only chart-topping live album and for good reason. The impressive stage presence of Midnight Rambler was successfully transferred to wax for private enjoyment. The song lineup as a whole was reflective of most gigs from the 1969 U.S. tour. The versions chosen for release however seemed more uniform and less experimental as if to sound more like their studio incarnation. Jagger’s entertaining between-song comments were severely edited and shuffled in the studio giving little similarity to their initial form as seen in the brilliant documentary Gimme Shelter. In the UK, though fans were saved the embarrassment of the US LP got LIVE..., they had their own reasons to be offended as in 1971, the album Gimme Shelter (featured below) was released. Despite it’s obvious reference to the film of the same name, it had nothing to do with the event at the Altamont Raceway nor the other performances featured in the film. Not attempting this same deception, Ya-Ya’s simply provided the Stones live in concert when it seemed people wanted it the most.
rating-****

1971 Gimme Shelter- Some live recordings, some faux live tracks, and a lot of greed are what took to make this mess. This in no way is the soundtrack to the brilliant 1970 film of the same name. Side two contains 6 tracks from the US LP Got LIVE... two of which were actually studio recordings with crowd filler noise substituting a real audience. All selections from side one are the original studio recordings released, on their respective albums and single form, only 2 years prior to this LP.
rating-*

Tour of the Americas started in NYC on a flat-bed truck.

1977 Love You Live- There is much to like and dislike in this collection of songs from various gigs between 1975-77. It offers a series of familiar, yet unimpressive recordings such as Hot Stuff and Fingerprint File along side the usual stage guns Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Brown Sugar, and Sympathy For the Devil. Many of the performances are uninspired which end up infecting the better recordings. The strength comes from the first-half of disc two which contains four songs recorded in Canada's intimate El Mocambo club. Mick and the boys performed a delicious set of unlikely songs in this small venue including Mannish Boy, Crackin’ Up, and Around and Around, all of which appear in this collection. Several years absent, Love You Live was finally re-issued on CD in 1998 [Virgin Records.] The second and final Stones album cover designed by Andy Warhol. He did not however have anything to do with the grease pencil markings seen throughout the cover, something that was later added by Mick Jagger much to Warhol's dismay.
rating-***

On lead guitar ... Captain Jack Sparrow's dad.

1982 Still Life (American Concert 1981)- Uninspired performances of very few songs mar this potentially good album with it’s many unique qualities. One mistake was that after only four (4) official live album releases, this was the second which featured both Under My Thumb as an opener and Satisfaction as a closer. Listeners are treated to two songs the Stones had not previously released in any form, Twenty Flight Rock and Going To A Go-Go, but it represented a little over five (5) total minutes of new material. Since two selections were just filler noise to open and close the album, there were only ten actual song recordings. Without the inclusion of a lengthy show stopper such as Ya-Ya’s had with Midnight Rambler, it is a small impotent album which fails to satisfy. The highlight for collectors would probably be Shattered, a selection not available on any previous live set. In total, the album has only 39 minutes of music, with just half of the songs running at four-plus minutes. The collection does offer five songs that appear on no other official live album, yet hearing Let Me Go is hardly a reason to celebrate.
rating-**

1991 Flashpoint [live + studio]- Few big hits were overlooked in this live set recorded during the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tours of 1989/90 to support the previous studio album. Adding a new dimension, two studio tracks were included at the end of this “big hits live” collection. The performances are actually quite good though once again the majority of listeners did not think so. The album reached #16 in the US, far below it’s unworthy predecessor. Both studio tracks are quite good and the Stones showed that they could still create controversy as many critics have pointed to the lyrics of Highwire as an anti-Gulf War message. The Stones homeland of England attempted to block the song's release in single form as it was thought to undermine the country’s support of the conflict. Overall, the album is very thorough and quite satisfying. With the fans mightily singing along in unison, hearing You Can’t Always Get What You Want on this album is quite an experience. Unlike the compact disc which had three, the LP had only a single complete track from the Steel Wheels album. Available in the US as part of a limited-edition 2CD set, the Collectibles CD contains several remixes and b-sides from 1978-90.
rating-***

1995 Stripped [CD + CD-ROM]- Stones fans have been hard to please since the advent of amateur live recordings which at times have been better than official releases. This would be yet another “Unplugged” album which had become quite common in the early and mid-1990s. The Stones were asked to do what it seemed everyone was doing by 1995, just not in collaboration with MTV as other sixties stars had with great success. As it continued one trend, it began another as the CD format offered a CD-ROM with over 400 megabytes of pictures, videos, and additional sound clips. Though Street Fighting Man is not as menacing without electricity, it is refreshingly different as this album’s opener. There are a total of eight unique live recordings as well as a cover of Bob Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone [UK #12.] The sound is sharp and clean, but some of the performances were a bit too laid back which fails to hold your interest at times. In what may have been smart move brought on by fan reaction, no Voodoo Lounge songs appear in this title. On a positive note, the beautiful Angie was officially released live for the first time.
rating-***

1996 The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (Dec. 11, 1968)- There have been many rumors about why these tremendously impressive recordings were not released sooner, but the listener needs no reason, and it offers no excuse. A glorious moment was seized in just under two days of mid-December, 1968; and for the first time since, available to the world in digital quality audio and video. An impressive cast of rock music’s royal family were present, as well as a sea of colorfully-dressed fans whom were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Mick Jagger once voiced displeasure about his performance which had taken place (incidentally) at the end of this gathering which he had organized without the aide of much rest. Many whom have speculated that the Who’s powerful performance left the Stones with a tough act to follow are referring to their shortened, yet rousing A Quick One While He’s Away; possibly one of rock music’s finest moments caught on film. Stones fans had a point to argue however, as Jagger placed the audience in a trance for almost nine minutes with his own Sympathy For the Devil. John Lennon [filmed separately] introduced the Stones who opened with Jumpin’ Jack Flash performed with a refreshingly smooth, alternate vocal opening. Eric Clapton would join Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and John Lennon in forming the once-in-a-lifetime supergroup Dirty Mac. Classical violinist Ivry Gitlis was drowned out by Yoko Ono’s screeching vocals during a quasi-instrumental with her husband and the rest of the Dirty Mac. Under the cover of anonymity, Taj Mahal followed the then-unknown Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull. Along with a selection of circus performers and animals, the title was a fitting description of what occurred. As everyone relaxed after their respective performances, the lyrics to the final song Salt of the Earth were visible on a large canvas as all sang along. It was rumored that the Stones would re-record their segment separately and have the film released soon afterwards. A few months would pass, and by July with the death of Brian Jones, it had become impossible and the Rock and Roll Circus was buried in legend for much of three decades. note-that's Black Sabbath’s Toni Iommi making an un-credited appearance with Jethro Tull. As of mid-2004, this title had remained as the only Rolling Stones album not to be issued on vinyl.
rating-*****

1998 No Security- This album suffered from premature ejaculation and, as expected, the public responded negatively. Ending a tremendously impressive record which began back in 1964, no Rolling Stones live or original studio album ever failed to reach the top-10 in one of either the US or UK album charts. Though there was cause for celebration upon it’s release, most were not yet prepared to purchase yet another album from them and the result was a US chart position high of just #34. They commendably chose to forgo the usual clump of hot rocks for a more personal collection of songs which included Memory Motel featuring Dave Matthews, and a spot for Taj Mahal [see: R&R Circus.] Unlike any previous live offering, a total of four tunes were taken from the studio album immediately preceding this release. To satisfy the truly loyal and unwavering Stones fan, a series of rare live recordings as well as a completely unique selection [Corinna w/Taj Mahal] were included. These song choices drove many away from this album, but for those whom understand it for what it is were truly shown deserved appreciation. note- All but two of the tracks [The Last Time in 1966 & Live With Me in 1970] were previously unreleased in live format.
rating-***

2004 Live Licks- The Stones first true live double-album since 1977's Love You Live is an almost unnecessary release for many reasons. In this day and age, the 4DVD set Four Flicks [2003] should have satisfied the desire for current live material. Though it is always good to hear the Stones in "cocked and loaded live" glory, this marks the first time in their history where 2 live albums were issued before a new studio set. Getting beyond the point that this makes the live:studio ratio 3:1 between 1995-2004, the overall sound of this collection is crisp; the vocals strong; the guitars and drums sharp; even the audience and various other instruments blend cleanly into the recording instead of hampering it as simple background 'noise.' A fine selection of new live recordings such as Monkey Man, Rock Me, Baby; The Nearness of You, Rocks Off and Everybody Needs Somebody To Love on disc two compliment the oft-revisited selection of hit singles on the first. It would have been nice to hear Mick Taylor on Can't You Hear Me Knocking?, but hey, YCAGWYW right? They're not dead yet, but there's little need to remind people so often. With a U.S. chart debut of only #50, and top-100 banishment after just 1 week, most would agree.
rating-** (a 4-star recording diminished by its redundancy)

SOLO RECORDINGS:
(not all solo albums are listed)

1972 Jamming With Edward [Jagger/Watts/Wyman/Nicky Hopkins/Ry Cooder]- Many have e-mailed expressing their confusion as to the absence of this LP from the Stones Pt. II 1971+ page. This writer believes that a record without Keith Richards is quite simply not a Rolling Stones record. Others would argue the same for Brian Jones or Mick Taylor, even if in a lesser sense. As described in its liner notes, Jamming With Edward consists of elements from a 1969 recording session in which Jagger, Watts and Wyman -- awaiting Keith Richards' arrival -- teamed with pianist-extraodinaire Nicky Hopkins and respected slideman Ry Cooder. What you have is an intriguing look at the workings of the Stones' rhythm section, foreshadowing the scramble for bootleg out-take and session recordings. Listeners can easily detect a hint of Midnight Rambler on track one: The Boudoir Stomp, and rejoice in the capture of a thick Watts drum weave on Cooder's Blow With Ry. Jagger's vocals have once been described as "emanating from a distant bathroom." This may or may not be true, but one thing's for certain... not many will be singing along.
rating-** Buy 'Jamming With Edward' on CD HERE NOW

Jamming With Edward - track listing 1. The Boudoir Stomp 2. It Hurts Me Too 3. Edward's Thrump Up 4. Blow With Ry 5. Interlude A La E Hopo 6. Highland Fling

1974 Monkey Grip [Bill Wyman]- Released on Rolling Stones Records [tm] this as his other albums, had a lot of bubbly pop songs with adult lyrical content which gave it a very small following and few album sales. Starts out well with I Wanna Get Me A Gun, but there is little to celebrate afterwards. It is hard to imagine, but as the Stones were forced to edit the “pussy” reference from their own Star Star in 1973, Wyman was able to not only say it in 1974, but use it as a song title. The company obviously did not bother to edit him, thinking correctly that it wouldn’t make many waves. note: This set was re-issued in 2006 with eight (8) additional tracks.
rating-** BUY Bill Wyman's 'Monkey Grip' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Monkey Grip (Bill Wyman) - track listing 1. I Wanna Get Me A Gun 2. Crazy Woman 3. Pussy 4. Mighty Fine Time 5. Monkey Grip Glue 6. What A Blow 7. White Lightnin' 8. I'll Pull You Thro' 9. It's A Wonder [selections below only on 2006 CD re-issue] 10. Wine & Wimmen [early version] 11. It's Just A Matter of Time 12. If You've Got The Feelin' 13. Five Card Stud 14. Monkey Grip Glue [single edit] 15. What A Blow [single edit] 16. White Lightnin' [single edit] 17. Pussy [single mix]

1982 Bill Wyman [Bill Wyman]- A step up from both his debut, and the following Stone Alone from 1976 [not reviewed here.] Bill became the first solo Stone to have a legitimate hit single as his (si si) Je Suis Un Rock Star hit #14 on the British charts in 1981. Followed by the minor hit A New Fashion in 1982, the Stones' bassist had his moment of personal glory which would not be repeated. Much neater and more professional than his previous two album releases, it was still painfully obvious that his music would hardly have been noticed if it were not for the status provided to him by his bandmates.
rating-** BUY 'Bill Wyman' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Bill Wyman (Bill Wyman) - track listing 1. Ride On Baby 2. A New Fashion 3. Nuclear Reactions 4. Visions 5. Jump Up 6. Come Back Suzanne 7. Rio de Janeiro 8. Girls 9. Seventeen 10. (Si, Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star

1985 She’s The Boss [Mick Jagger]- An eighties time capsule which is difficult to listen to at times, does have the excellent Just Another Night to save it from being buried forever. As an album-promotion ploy, the film Running Out of Luck was just an extended music video which runs far too long to maintain interest. I dare to say that even with the talents of Rae-Dawn Chong and Dennis Hopper, the film is more dated than the album. Though at the time both projects may have seemed like good ideas, hardly a song could translate well into any other period. Mick pulled out a gun from the seventies in the Jagger/Richards-penned opener Lonely at the Top, but it shoots like a daisy in this version. Mick called on the talents of a series of brilliant musicians [Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Herbie Hancock, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Fowler, Jan Hammer, and Chuck Leavell among them] but the album plays like a Hollywood star feature; a lot a face, yet little substance.
rating-** BUY Mick Jagger's 'She's The Boss' on CD ... HERE NOW!

She's The Boss (Mick Jagger) - track listing 1. Lonely At The Top 2. 1/2 A Loaf 3. Running Out of Luck 4. Turn The Girl Loose 5. Hard Woman 6. Just Another Night 7. Lucky In Love 8. Secrets 9. She's The Boss

1987 Primitive Cool [Mick Jagger]- Seemingly an improvement over his previous solo effort, the average consumer obviously did not think so. Though the album contained what is probably his best solo recording Let’s Work, it did not translate into a chart hit [failing to reach the top-30], something the album was just barely able to do itself. The album’s opener Throwaway, appearing to be just that, became his lowest charting single ever. Fans will however be comforted by Mick’s easily recognizable voice and occasional flashes of past glories. He opted to work with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart for the album that would be followed by a small far-east tour which included gigs in Australia and Japan.
rating-** BUY Mick Jagger's 'Primitive Cool' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Primitive Cool (Mick Jagger) - track listing 1. Throwaway 2. Let's Work 3. Radio Control 4. Say You Will 5. Primitive Cool 6. Kow Tow 7. Shoot Off Your Mouth 8. Peace For The Wicked 9. Party Doll 10. War Baby

1988 Talk Is Cheap [Keith Richards]- Keef shines on his solo album debut and even though the best was yet to come, this album is not as half-hearted as Mick’s first effort seemed to be. It quickly becomes rather obvious that Keith hadn’t changed a bit though he was now on his own. With the exception of his rough-as-sandpaper vocals, this was as “Rolling Stones” as any solo release would be for years.
rating-*** Buy Keef's 'Talk Is Cheap' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Talk Is Cheap (Keith Richards) - track listing 1. Big Enough 2. Take It So Hard 3. Struggle 4. I Could Have Stood You Up 5. Make No Mistake 6. You Don't Move Me 7. How I Wish 8. Rockawhile 9. Whip It Up 10. Locked Away 11. It Means A Lot

1992 Main Offender [Keith Richards]- Possibly the best 'Solo-Stone' LP, this album deserved a far better fate than it was handed by the public. Reaching only as high as #99 on the US albums chart, it is, by far, the least successful solo release either Keith or Mick ever had. At the same time, is easily the best solo-Stone album release to date. As years pass, the number of fans whom are willing to listen to him strain the little decipherable sound that is left in his voice has become more concentrated. Inevitably, his vocal difficulties take away from a potentially great song such as Eileen. The album as a whole is full of great songs that could have been much better. Curiously, the opener 999 sounds (musically) quite similar to the Stones track You Got Me Rocking, released two years later.
rating-*** BUY Keef's 'Main Offender' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Main Offender (Keith Richards) - track listing 1. 999 2. Wicked As It Seems 3. Eileen 4. Words of Wonder 5. Yap Yap 6. Bodytalks 7. Hate It When You Leave 8. Runnin' Too Deep 9. Will But You Won't 10. Demon

1993 Wandering Spirit [Mick Jagger]- If you were wondering when Mick’s fans would finally show up again to buy some of his solo work, wonder no more. He gave them a good reason to buy this album as he obviously learned much between 1988-92 about both himself, as well as his partnership with Keith. He was more comfortable with his own brand of music, and it clearly shows. Among the artists along for the ride include Lenny Kravitz, Billy Preston, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Track two [Sweet Thing] gives us another taste of the previously released Sex Drive, with an additional groove sprinkled on for good measure. Don't Tear Me Up followed to give Jagger a strong 1-2 punch. He covers James Brown’s Think in this release, but intelligently does no attempt to imitate him. The cover design was a terrible mistake, as it was conceived during the 'heroin-chic' period of the early 1990's and does not translate well today.
rating-*** BUY Mick Jagger's 'Wandering Spirit' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Wandering Spirit (Mick Jagger) - track listing 1. Wired All Night 2. Sweet Thing 3. Out of Focus 4. Don't Tear Me Up 5. Put Me In The Trash 6. Use Me 7. Evening Gown 8. Mother of A Man 9. Think 10. Wandering Spirit 11. Hang On To Me Tonight 12. I've Been Lonely For So Long 13. Angel In My Heart 14. Handsome Molly

2001 Goddess In The Doorway [Mick Jagger]- Times have changed. Though this album sold almost 10,000 more copies in its first week than did Jagger's previous Wandering Spirit [#11], it barely broke through the U.S. top-40. A similarity both releases do share are within the notes of music. Lenny Kravitz returns in a larger role, helping to mold the set's first single God Gave Me Everything; a heavy rocker with few, yet meaningful, lyrics. Among the first-time collaborators include Wyclef Jean, Bono Hewson, Joe Perry and Rob Thomas. Jagger's solo releases truly have always been a celebration of his own status in music history to where great artists of past and present gladly lend their time. Back for more is Pete Townshend who lends a powerful riff to the harsh Gun. Bono's influence is strong on the track Joy which relates heavily to Red Hill Mining Town from U2's 1987 album The Joshua Tree. Jagger's ear for melody and feet for dance have made themselves more apparent in what is his fourth solo album. Offering more than a few memorable moments, this should soon help to reward him his first solo greatest hits disc. Yet again we must admit that it reminds us that no collaboration is more potent than Jagger/Richards.
rating-*** BUY Mick Jagger's 'Goddess In The Doorway' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Goddess In The Doorway (Mick Jagger) - track listing 1. Visions of Paradise 2. Joy 3. Dancing In The Starlight 4. God Gave Me Everything 5. Hideaway 6. Don't Call Me Up 7. Goddess In The Doorway 8. Lucky Day 9. Everybody Getting High 10. Gun 11. Too Far Gone 12. Brand New Set of Rules

2004 Alfie Soundtrack [Mick Jagger & David A. Stewart]- Disregarding the lackluster album sales and box office returns of the film, Mick Jagger again teams up with Dave Stewart [formerly from the Eurythmics] to lend supple tracks to a rather stiff and uninpressive motion picture. Joss Stone (2 tracks) & Sheryl Crow (in a supporting role) also appear in this set. Old Habits Die Hard, a strong, soulful tune won the Golden Globe® for Best Original Song.
rating-*** BUY The 'Alfie Soundtrack' on CD ... HERE NOW!

Alfie (Mick Jagger & David A. Stewart) - track listing 1. Old Habits Die Hard 2. Blind Leading The Blind [soft take] 3. New York Hustle 4. Let's Make It Up 5. Wicked Time [Joss Stone, Nadirah 'Nadz' & Mick Jagger] 6. Lonely Without You 7. Darkness Of Your Love [Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper & David A. Stewart] 8. Jack The Lad 9. Nikki 10. Blind Leading The Blind [hard take] 11. Standing In The Rain 12. Counting The Days 13. Old Habits (reprise) 14. Alfie [Joss Stone] 15. Old Habits Die Hard [feat. Sheryl Crow]

2007 The Very Best of [Mick Jagger]- Very few will be terribly interested in this set, but as far as Jagger solo collections go, it's almost as good as it gets. Visions of Paradise, his U.K. #43 single with Rob Thomas, is most noticeably absent. Only three (3) of his singles since 1985 have charted higher in the U.K. Another more surprising snub, though not entirely without an excuse, was the major hit State of Shock (U.S. #3), a 1984 collaboration with the Jacksons. His 1986 soundtrack title charter Ruthless People failed to make an appearance as well. Such exclusions however do not help promote sales of his studio releases, as hits packages are intended to do. Unless his label is attempting to sell the unbelievable idea that a volume 2 solo best of will be released, such omissions are surprising. This still leaves plenty to enjoy with a sprinkle from all five (5) of Jagger's solo albums from 1985-2004, two seperate collaborative works, his 2004 Golden Globe®-winning soundtrack single, and three bonus tracks. Two attractive and unique selections include Charmed Life (with it's strongly familiar bass-line) and the John Lennon-produced gem Too Many Cooks (spoil the soup) from 1974. It would strongly benefit seasoned fans to purchase the 2-disc [CD/DVD] limited edition instead. The bonus DVD includes a lengthy interview, several music videos, and a wonderful Peter Tosh [on SNL] performance with Jagger from 1978.
rating-***

The Very Best of ... (Mick Jagger) - track listing 1. God Gave Me Everything [*4] 2. Put Me In The Trash [*3] 3. Just Another Night [*1] 4. Don't Tear Me Up [*3] 5. Charmed Life** 6. Sweet Thing [*3] 7. Old Habits Die Hard [*5] 8. Dancing In The Street [*8] 9. Too Many Cooks (spoil the soup)** 10. Memo From Turner [*6] 11. Lucky In Love [*1] 12. Let's Work [*2] 13. Joy [*4] 14. Don't Call Me Up [*4] 15. Checkin' Up On My Baby** 16. (you gotta walk and) Don't Look Back [*7] 17. Evening Gown [*3] legend: *1: from 'She's The Boss' [1985] *2: from 'Primitive Cool' [1987] *3: from 'Wandering Spirit' [1993] *4: from 'Goddess In The Doorway' [2001] *5: from 'Alfie' Soundtrack [2004] *6: from 'Performance' Soundtrack [1970] *7: from Peter Tosh ' Bush Doctor' [1978] *8: from single (with David Bowie) **: new track
BUY 'The Very Best of Mick Jagger' on CD ... HERE NOW!
BUY 'The Very Best of Mick Jagger' Special Editio CD/DVD Set ... HERE NOW!

You can sum up Ron Wood’s solo effort in a few remarks. All of his albums showcase his musical talent yet at the same time clearly reveal his lyrical lack thereof. His first two albums I've Got My Own Album to Do [1974] and Now Look [1975] were recorded when he was still a member of the group Faces, which included fellow-members Jeff Beck, future Who drummer Kenny Jones, and Rod Stewart. His only hit album was 1979's Gimme Some Neck. Woodie fans should make sure not to miss out on his good 1992 album Slide On This with special guest Charlie Watts.

Most Charlie Watts albums were once difficult to find. Before the internet afforded fans unlimited access, they will most likely locate his LPs strictly in the Jazz section or novelty clearance bin. Charlie’s solo work sounds nothing of Rolling Stones so fans be aware. Jazz enthusiasts will rejoice in his selection of classic jazz stylings. He remains respectfully loyal to these fans by releasing his albums on vinyl as well as CD. His limited-edition From One Charlie includes a reprint of his illustrated book Ode To A High-flying Bird inspired by Charlie Parker in 1964.

Five years after his departure, Mick Taylor released his first solo album in 1979. He has since released a good number of titles of which all have had little mainstream success. There is a strong presence in him of the Stones as they were in the early seventies which make his performances and albums more of a sentimental journey rather than one of discovery. Clearly an immensly talented guitarist and though not credited, was at least once a very capable song writer. He often returns to You Can't Always Get What You Want or Can't you Hear Me Knockin'? during live performances to revitalize the crowd whom of which most unfortunately, would otherwise not be there.

If it were not for Bill Wyman joining in January of 1963, we would be hearing Dick Taylor's name read at the opening of the Rolling Stones first live [LP] album in 1966. They were known as Little Boy Blue And The Blue Boys in his time, but Taylor [no relation to Mick Taylor] probably did not slap himself for losing out on the rewards his bandmates reaped in later years. Unlike many forgotten early members of highly successful groups [ex. Pete Best of the Beatles], he went on to much success in the field of music, for in his case as a member of the rock group Pretty Things. Between 1964 and 1970, Pretty Things (taken from the Bo Diddley song of the same name) had a combined nine (9) hit singles and albums on the British charts. They had back-to-back top-20 hits in 1964 & '65, and a debut album which reached #6. They even recorded with Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label from 1974-76. David Bowie covered two of their songs, one of which opened his 1973 Pin-ups album.

See ...

Part I: Studio Albums 1964-69

Part II: Studio Albums 1971-2005

Part III: Compilations 1966-2005

Part IV: Live + Solo 1965-2004

Mick Jagger (b. July 26, 1943).
Brian Jones (b. February 28, 1942 - d. July 3, 1969).
Keith Richards (b. December 18, 1943).
Charlie Watts (b. June 2, 1941).
Bill Wyman (b. October 24, 1936).
Ian Stewart (b. July 18, 1938 - d. December 12, 1985).
Mick Taylor (b. January 17, 1948).
Ron Wood (b. June 1, 1947).
Bobby Keys (b. December 18, 1943).
Chuck Leavell (b. April 28, 1952).
Darryl Jones (b. December 11, 1961).
Dick Taylor (b. January 28, 1943).

GO TO: INTRO ... 1964-69 LPs ... 1971+ LPs ... Compilation LPs ... Live + Solo
Hit Singles ... Hit Albums ... Brian Jones ... Unit $ALE$ ... CDs
Reel Stoned ... US LP Label History ... Gigs & more Licks
Credits

All items, descriptions, reviews, and images contained in /the_rolling_stones/, and its sub-sections, were compiled solely by AC Palacio.

Please view our Information Center for product, payment, shipping, as well as other documentation. To view a list of the most recent web site catalog updates: CLICK HERE FOR NEWEST ADDITIONS. For up-to-the-minute catalog updates, please request one from our orders page.

Contact Us : BeatZenith@beatzenith.com

Send mail to Brian Darwin at the above address with other questions or comments about this web site.
Send mail to AC Palacio with questions or comments about the Rolling Stones INFO section.
BeatZenith, BeatZenith.com and Music Corpora are all Copyright © 1998-2008, BeatZenith Music Source Online.