The world's greatest Rock And Roll Band is at it again. The big news is that the Rolling Stones are reissuing the landmark 1972 CD Exile On Main Street. What an amazing album, and what an amazing marketing campaign- look for the blitz in print, and on web, radio, and TV, among other places! Exile's street date is May 18, and there will be different levels of configuration available, including CD, DVD and vinyl.
I fondly remember when the album first came out, as I was a rock jock in Pittsburgh then and it was speaking my language. But in the even earlier Stones vs. Beatles debate of the 60s The Stones were IT for me from the beginning - pop craft versus roots exploration. I think you know which one I chose. In fact, my very first concert was the 1964 Rolling Stones date at the Academy Of Music in NYC. It was sheer screaming-girl-city. Hot stuff, indeed.
The Stones acted as a kind of a personal musical guide, pre-web gatekeepers. I got turned onto the blues through their first two albums, which set me on a path of exploration that resonates to this day. I softened to the sounds of country through tunes like "Dear Doctor" and "Country Honk." Ironically, Keith coveted my Smithsonian Collection of Country Music Box Set when he came to my apartment on 58th Street in New York in 1984.
The Rolling Stones are a lifelong commitment for me, from the weaving through musical eras, to the countless tours, to the many writings about them. I especially recommend Under Their Thumb, from a buddy of mine, Bill German, the originator of the official Rolling Stones newsletter Beggars Banquet, and Exile On Main Street-A Season In Hell With The Rolling Stones by Robert Greenfield, that chronicles this difficult yet defining period. Let's not forget that these were the Gram Parsons hang out years too. I can only wonder as to the affect that Gram and Keith had on each other. The coming compilation features 10 newly uncovered Exile era tracks, all of which have undergone a unique evolution while staying true to the spirit, among them, "Dancing In The Light," "Following The River," "Pass The Wine" and the first single being released, "Plundered My Soul," Also, as a complement to the release of Exile on Main Street, look for the documentary "Stones In Exile," on NBC on May 14 featuring rare, never before seen footage from the era. Here is some now. Check out the video for "Plundered" here.
-Jessie