Cashing in on their 50 years together (collectively they now take more years off than play together), the Rolling Stones are/were? back on the road (charging crazy prices) on their recent tour. When I watched Martin Scorsese's Shine A Light, I felt what was needed were more long shots- too many close ups! Pull back! Pull back! As well as the diversions into Pirate movies and silly (but probably a lot of fun) autobiographies, what will always be the undeniable for the Stones is an impressive body of music.
It's the sound of their influences that pour out of their best recordings, and by listening and doing some research (band members are open to sharing who their musical echos) generations of fans will be connected to the Stones, Slim Harpo, Howling Wolf and Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Louis Jordan, George Jones, Staple Singers, Kenny Clarke, Max Roach,Scotty Moore, peers the Beatles, the Band, Dave Clark 5, Gram Parsons, Bobby Womack ,the Kinks, Ike and Tina Turner, Fats Domino, Little Richard and the list would go on and on....One could build a great record collection from their influences!
Here's a rock and roll band with very few guitar solos; great fills and tempos that attack. Crafting a distinct sound that serves the structure of the song, and a rhythm section that plays with minimal excess. It's about the feel and the groove as a signature back when regional sounds were distinct and recognizable. Although you can recognize the influences, a Stones song always sounds like a Stones song. Just as when certain regions of our country had specific sounding records- the following are some of the cities (record labels) that produced some of the greatest rhythm and blues records; a particular sound and craft Memphis Hi,Sun,Stax) Minit and all the New Orleans labels, Tennessee (Stax), Cincinnatti (King), Detroit (Motown). I can get with that! Keep on keeping on, old guys!
About seven years ago a customer at Peet's (thanks Jimbeau!) took me to see the Stones at AT&T Park. The guys know how to play to a big crowd and delivered a very good show. I had a lot of fun on a warm San Francisco night.
Over the years I've learned to appreciate the professionalism that Mick Jagger brings to the band, especially to the stage performances.If fans are dropping $300 for a show, they want to see a show, right? As the front man, Jagger has to deliver the energy and enthusiasm to the audience. These days Keith Richards doesn't seem to move around much and Charlie Watts has always been a no nonsense precise drummer. Jagger is still 85 pounds and jumps around on stage as if he is trying to brush back hordes of flying bats.
Ronnie Wood is also a lively friendly stage presence but it's Jagger, nearing his 70th birthday that consistently delivers the goods. Every show he is doing his crazy chicken strutting gyrations. Jagger's type of individual dancing has helped make it possible for others to be even more wacked out on stage (Lady Gaga for one). The difference with Jagger is that he makes it work with his band and with all of the guest stars that show up. The following clip is not the best example of this but it's a fun one, with guest, Tom Waits. It's an old Howling Wolf song which requires a spooky vocal.
Tom Waits and the Rolling Stones
Dinosaurs live!
No comments:
Post a Comment