ROLLING STONES PART 1: Black and Blue and Beat Up

Two years have passed since the Rolling Stones put out an album of original material.  It's Only Rock 'n Roll came out in 1974 and in 1976 Black and Blue came out.  In that time it must have been an eternity.  I would have been bugging for new music in 1975, but they more then likely were burnt out and needed a much deserved recharge.  Sadly, Mick Taylor left the band and they were in search of a new guitar player.  They auditioned Harvey Mandel (my personal choice for the Mick Taylor replacement). They needed to do something quick.  In 1976 they were ready to do a European tour  when they put out Black and Blue.  To me it's a very underrated album full of hidden gems and one damn good cover.  

I wish I was around when this came out.  I would love to hear the Rolling Stones most diehard fans reaction to this.  Even their reaction to an album without Mick Taylor.  At first listen it has a mediocre  sound.  It's not promising, but it''s not the 100 mph that we are used to from them.  What's worse is four years previous they put out an instant classic called Exile on Main Street.  Maybe they were stuck doing 30 in a 35 mph speed trap.  The previous two albums were good, and had good songs, but this was way too mellow for most.  I can only hear people talking.  What is wrong with Mick and Keith?

I first heard this when I was a teenager.  I was completely transfixed by the song "Hot Stuff" and a simple guitar riff.  It maybe simple but it had an awesome groove.  I loved this song, and wanted to hear more.  It was not an album that I could tell would have the signature hooks that we are used to.  It too me was the slow portion of the show where you could go to the merchandise table or to the bathroom.  Most fans more then likely did just that.  I would have stayed for this part to watch them move at this slow pace.

You can definitely hear the influences that the Rolling Stones heard at the time.  There is Reggae and Funk and for the first time a song that is not showing their Roots and Blues influence.  My second favorite tune on the album "Cherry Oh Baby" a wonderful remake of the Eric Donaldson classic of the same name. In a way they make it their own, but in 1976 Reggae was gathering steam in the mainstream music.  We heard a lot of Bob Marley and even Eric Clapton covered his music.  "Willie and the Hand Jive." had some of the Jamaican elements and we all know his cover of "I Shot the Sheriff" was a hit.  It was a pretty popular genre and why not add the Rolling Stones to the mix with a cover tune.

In 1976 the Rolling Stones were in an odd spot.  With a new album and another tour we see a new version of the Stones that has lasted 16 years until Bill Wyman left the band in December of 1992. if anything the mood of the album kinda reflects the band's change.  It's very mellow compared to previous albums and other albums in the future.  Sure Mick in in great form, but the laid back feel is something else.  It maybe just me, but who knows what they were thinking.

If you need to pick a Rolling Stones album that is not the famous ones like Exile or Sticky Fingers, this might the one to get.  It's turning point that surely changed the way the Stones play Rock and Roll, but then again when they picked Ronnie Wood they picked a season veteran in the music world, not some rookie off the bench.  He may be average, but he sure is a great foil for Keith Richards, and top it all of he ain't that bad.  For a first album with a new guitar player I give it a B for effort and an A for some of the song selection, beside the cover "Memory Motel," "Hot Stuff" "Crazy Mama" and "Fool to Cry" are damn' fine tunes for a damn' album that slipped under the radar.  Take a listen I would love to hear your opinion.