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Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

THE ROLLING STONES' BLACK AND BLUE

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Black and Blue Notorious Display Black and Blue Alternate Advertise Black and Blue Front Album Black and Blue Back of Album Bootleg Reggae and Roll Front Bootleg Reggae and Roll Back 

How exciting was it waiting for a new Rolling Stones album to be released---it was Very Exciting---the magazine reviewers already had their bad reviews printed before they even heard a single note---radio stations had their top ten ready for an opening and Stones fans lined up at the record outlets ready to buy.
 
The Stones Black and Blue album did not disappoint (least not this fan) After vacationing in Jamaica in 1974, I got my first taste of Reggae music, my favourite raggae band, Toots and the Maytals. Once again the Stones bring the new sounds of raggae to the white masses. I loved every song on this album and the videos that accompanied the album were just amazingly colourful--make sure you check out this weeks youtubes for Stones clips.
 
The Stones wouldn't be the Stones if some controversy didn't follow them each album release---this time it would be the accompanying advertising of Mick's wife, Jerry Hall set out in bondage, battered and bruised sitting on top of the Stones Album---need I say more.
 
The album got it's title from the jazz and blues singer Helen Humes--her "Hot Club of France Award" best album titled "Black and Blue".  Erick Donaldson had a local Jamaican hit with a song titled "Cherry Oh Baby" and this was heard by the Stones when they were recording in Jamaica, and they did a cover of it on the album.
 
As I mentioned in previous columns, it is always a treat to find the unreleased/alternate take and tryouts on a bootleg album---Reggae 'n' Roll The Stones in Studio with Jeff Beck is a set of seven first takes and unreleased jams from this period, and is in my collection.
 
Here is a rundown on all the tracks that are pressed on an album that has the fewest tracks of any Stones album, 8-----this is also the album that puts Ronnie Woods in the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World.
 
"Hot Stuff" kicks the album into high gear with some fine guitar interplay between Harvey Mandel and Keith Richards. Billy Preston's piano provides a nice background for the guitar work. The song structure is very catchy, is ultimately one of the best on the album.
 
"Hand of Fate" is a vintage Rolling Stones tune. Wayne Perkins provides the guitar work here and it seems he was Jagger's choice to replace Mick Taylor, but he was overruled by Richards who went with comfort ability over virtuosity. Again, it is Billy Preston's keyboards that fill in the sound.
 
The Seven Minute "Memory Motel" is a rural type ballad and tells a poignant story. Both Jagger and Richards seem totally invested in the song and particularly the vocals. This was a unique outing for the Rolling Stones and has unfortunately disappeared in the rock 'n' roll mists.
 
 "Cherry Oh Cherry" finds a future band member providing the lead guitar licks, and it finds Ron Wood providing some creative guitar work for the first time. Interestingly, he would remain on salary until the early 1990's. He would only receive a percentage after that time because Wyman, Watts, and Richards would out vote Jagger.
 
"Hey Negrita" shows the band heading in a funk direction. While there would be more successful tunes of this type in the future, it was not one of their best.
 
"Melody" years later Bill Wyman stated that Billy Preston had actually penned the tune. Just a gospel sound that the Stones adapted.
 
The lead single from the album was "Fool To Cry". It reached number 10 on the American charts, and finds Mick Jagger straining to be sincere. He Accompanies himself on the piano and ultimately drives the song to its conclusion.
 
"Crazy Mama" bring this 8 song album to a close and is a strong tune that leaves the listener with hope for the future. Richards and Wood intertwine their guitars successfully in this hard rocking tune with Charlie Watts booming drums in support. This song is The Rolling Stones at their best.
 
Black and Blue was a big success for the Stones. It would spend four weeks at the top of the American charts and quickly sell 1 million copies. It would be 2 years before The rolling Stones would release another studio album.
 
The Rolling Stones "Hey Negrita" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-wxbFVCbtA
 "Crazy Mama" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RND03INUgO4
"Hot Stuff" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_MOu4o8GXI
And my Favourite Toots and the Maytals "Pressure Drop" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eATaV2umnEs and "Funky Kingston" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eATaV2umnEs
 
New to my column this week and the week's to follow, check out The Official Chatham Kent Music Archive http://demokidblog.wordpress.com/ this is an amazing site offering all the cktimes readers a look into the music scene from the past to present of bands that are associated with Chatam Kent
 
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.