Stones Rolling On

With the opening chords of Start Me Up the Stones Rolling On launches a musical journey spanning three decades, 1981 - 2005.  Featuring select tracks from Tattoo You, Undercover, Dirty Work, Steel Wheels, Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to Babylon and A Bigger Bang. Tattoo You released August 1981, topped the US charts for 9 weeks.  Tattoo You was number one for longer than any other Stones album.  The lead single Start Me Up fueled its success, on both sides of the Atlantic; it made number two in the USA and number seven in Britain.  Start Me Up received a second wave of popularity, 14 years later, as the theme song for Windows 95.  The two US follow-up singles, Waiting On A Friend and Hang Fire both made the Top Twenty.  Like Emotional Rescue it was recorded in the Bahamas, Paris and New York City.  Tattoo You had a massive US tour to support its release.

Undercover Of the Night, released November 1983.  Opens with the title track Undercover of the Night that was heavily influenced by William Burroughs' Cities Of The Red Night, a free wheeling novel about political and sexual repression.  From the raunchy, fast pace of She Was Hot, to the Chuck Berry throwback Wanna Hold You, and the S&M styled Tie You Up (Pain of Love) this eclectic album has a savage rawness. Dirty Work, released March 1986 was recorded amidst a Jagger/Richards fued over Mick's solo career (that nearly broke up the band).  The struggle for control of the band spills out into the music with One Hit (To the Body), Dirty Work and Had It With You.  The lead single was, for the first time since their earliest recordings, a cover of the Bob & Earl’s R&B classic Harlem Shuffle.  Bobby Womack makes a guest appearance with the background vocals.  This album was dedicated to the memory of Ian Stewart, long time Stone keyboardist/road manager/co-founder, who passed away of heart attack shortly after its completion.

Steel Wheels, is a special album in the history of the Stones, it’s about reconcilliation, friendship and shared passion.  It’s the album that united the band again, after a three year hiatus that was almost permanent.  Released August 1989, to coincide with launch of the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle, North American/World mega tour.  The lead single Mixed Emotions features Mick, Keith and Ronnie on guitar and is autobiographical for the band, about building bridges and healing friendships.  Continental Drift, with a nod to the Late Brian Jones, the Stones travelled to Tangier, Morocco, to record with the Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar.  As Brian had predicted, years earlier, the blending of the Pipes of Pan and the Rolling Stones would produce a wonderous mystic. Bill Wyman retired from the Stones following the completion of the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour in 1993.

Voodoo Lounge, released July 1994 to coincide with a world tour.  Becoming a four piece seemed to give Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie a new lease of life, which instilled Voodoo Lounge with lusty riffs and explosive beats on killer tracks like Sparks Will Fly and You Got Me Rocking, Mick's Harmonica on Love Is Strong is electrifying.  Yet, the album also features some of the most gentle and romantic songs for decades, such as Sweethearts Together, Blinded By Rainbows and New Faces.  The yearning soulfulness of Moon Is Up, combined with Ronnie’s wah wah pedal steel playing, Mick’s harmonica, Charlie’s mystery drum and even Keith’s tambourine make for a truly unique and evocative song.  The album also features new Stones collaborator, bassist Darryl Jones, who had been Miles Davis’ protégé, and worked with Herbie Hancock.  Darryl’s jazz pedigree appealed to aficionados Mick and Charlie, but it was the way he clicked with the group that cemented his role as bass player. Bridges To Babylon, released September 1997 in suppport of a world tour by the same name.  The stage desigh featured a 46 m (150 ft) long telescoping cantilever bridge that extended from the main stage to a 'B' stage in the center of the crowd.  Recorded in Los Angeles between March and July 1997, the album featured a darker sound for the band on tracks like Out Of Control, Gunface and Might as Well Get Juiced.  Jagger’s unique strengths as a lyricist shine on Saint Of Me and the words are a latter answer to Sympathy For The Devil and Undercover Of The Night.

A Bigger Bang, released September 2005, eight years after Bridges To Babylon, this was the longest wait for a studio album in the band’s career.  Yes, it launched their most ambitious and last (to date) world tour.  With an earthy, bluesy sound, and ingenious lyrics from Jagger/ Richards it is reminiscent of earlier, rootsier albums (i.e. - Little Red Rooster from Rolling Stones Now!) and a departure from the big sounding, more produced albums of the last two decades. The first single from the album was Rough Justice, a classic Stones rocker, with a killer riff and smart lyrics (i.e. - roosters).  The anthemic Streets Of Love, which became hugely popular at live shows because of the sing-a-long chorus.  With a nod back to disco, but with a harder bluesier bass, Rain Fall Down was released as another hit single.  The spine tingling Back Of My Hand could’ve been a cut from Sticky Fingers or Exile On Main St, and Look What The Cat Dragged In is full of firey riffs and sultry, sneering lyrics.

The roosters on the loose: One time you were my baby chicken Now you've grown into a fox Once upon a time I was your little rooster But am I just one of your cocks It's rough justice on ya You're going to have to trust me It's rough justice But you know I'll never break your heart

Wanderin' Spirit
October, 2012
"Rolling On"

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