TORN AND FRAYED

The Rolling Stones in Stuttgart August 3, 2006

The set list
1. Jumping Jack Flash
2. It's Only Rock'n Roll
3. Oh No Not You Again
4. Let's Spend The Night Together
5. Ruby Tuesday
6. Streets Of Love
7. Tumbling Dice
8. Midnight Rambler
9. Night Time Is The Right Time
--- Introductions
10. Slipping Away
11. Before They Make Me Run
12. Miss You (to B-stage)
13. Rough Justice
14. Start Me Up
15. Honky Tonk Women (to main stage)
16. Sympathy For The Devil
17. Paint It Black
18. Brown Sugar
19. You Can't Always Get What You Want (encore)
20. Satisfaction (encore)

“Well his coat is torn and frayed…it’s seen much better days…”

In Anno Domini 2006 one can view the Rolling Stones one of 2 ways:
On the one hand one can be grateful that this unequaled, immortal, and magnificent rock and roll band is – unbelievably - still with us. A pop cultural phenomenon that verily DEFINE an entire genre of music…they stand like a Colossus, heirs and monuments to a musical tradition that will – with their eventual end – most likely fade into the periphery of our culture: blues and R&B-based roadhouse rock ‘n roll. That the soil of this rich tradition has produced such a band is a blessing. That this band has taken these traditions and has used them as a foundation, distilling them into a shorthand for what God intended Rock ‘n Roll in it’s purest, sexiest, dirtiest, most sublime form to sound like…and then taken this form into such diverse and delightful directions as country and disco and reggae and pop and folk and the such only serves to demonstrate how singular the Rolling Stones are. When they go the heart of Rock and Roll will break.

Looking at them in this way one can forgive them the fossilized set lists, the self-congratulatory, mega-sized, corporate-sponsored Victory Lap world tours, the brutalist stage sets with the inflatable tongues, the oft cringe-inducing merchandising of their name and logo, the declining abilities of their guitarists, the myriad back-up musicians on stage, etc…

One need only listen to their incendiary first 2 albums…or Beggar’s Banquet…or Aftermath…or Exile…or Some Girls…or Tattoo…or just simply turn on the radio and hear the first chords of Brown Sugar blaring forth, containing all the secrets of what makes rock and roll great encoded in its’ first chords…and one can forgive them anything.

On the other hand, if one chooses to view the Rolling Stones as a working rock and roll band - a band with a magnificent history, to be sure - but a band of living and breathing musicians, not megaliths…well then the criteria are quite different.

And that is the dilemma that faces the devoted follower of their music in 2006. Because what I experienced in Stuttgart last night was a study in all that is right and wrong with the Rolling Stones.

The Stadium was full – packed to the rafters. I stood Front of Stage on Ronnie Wood’s side. Having attended other shows in this tour – and having observed Wood literally destroy entire songs with his feckless guitar playing – I wanted to see if this man was truly the useless clown he incarnated in Cologne or if he could redeem himself and put on a professional performance. I also know from experience that this side of the stage is where the action is…Jagger favors going to his right…Richards prowls the stage and often visits…it is simply the best position to observe the band’s interactions.

As the Stones burst onto the stage to Jumping Jack Flash - and expecting the euphoric rush of this ultimate bad boy anthem to kick my ass - my heart sank…instead of being swept back by the vicious strumming of a Telecaster, I heard the dim muddle of a side speaker. The sound was abominable. I was stunned. A Rolling Stones rock and roll show should be loud…the guitars should sound vicious…the ear lobes should be overwhelmed by the beautiful brutality of the simple chords. I looked around and hoped that other fans in other areas of the stadium had a different experience. In my area Jaggers’ voice came in clear…a booming, rumbling bass sound was dominant…but the guitars were a weak muddle. At that point, if I could have stormed backstage and cracked a few roadies’ heads I would have. This is simply unforgivable.

It's Only Rock'n Roll followed and the sound was slightly better. I could faintly make out one of Keith’s solos. Oh No Not You Again followed and the guitars sunk into the mix. The sound only improved when the dulcimer tones of Ruby Tuesday slowed the tempo down and gave the instruments a bit of separation and space. I supposed that the sound crew had to make several compromises in the setting of a stadium show. Some sections get a crystal clear sound…others get the pea soup. I was in the peas. Wonderful. Pay €150 to be near the band…but don’t expect good sound! That would be too much to ask.

A beautiful reading of Streets Of Love followed…and it is clear that this much-maligned number has taken on a new life in a live setting. It is – incredibly – a highlight of the show. And this is perhaps because when Jagger sings it…and the band plays it…they are committed and interested. They are not on autopilot. The are ENGAGED. The entire presentation takes on a fresh and vital energy.

And this leads me to my next observation. On my ticket is stated Rolling Stones - A BIGGER BANG TOUR. But once again, the Stones deemed to play only 3 songs from their new album. I thought this was to be the “A Bigger Bang” tour, meaning that we would get to sample a good number of the albums’ highlights live. The nostalgia, Victory Lap tour was 3 years ago…when all the tourists got their copies of 40 Licks and the Stones could tour on their past laurels with no excuse needed. Good…another $250 million in the coffers of Rolling Stones Corp. Another gold-plated celebration of the myth. Wonderful…you deserve it…now let’s get on with being a living breathing rock and roll band, shall we?

You see, “A Bigger Bang” happens to be an excellent album…and songs like “Laugh, I nearly Died”, “Dangerous Beauty”, “Rain Fall Down”, “This Place Is Empty”, and “Back Of My Hand” are simply crying to be played live in front of an appreciative audience. And no one can tell me that if “Miss You” – which is perfunctorily performed and is used as simply a time-killer/aural wallpaper while the band is transported from Stage A to Stage B – were to be replaced by a funky version of “Rain Fall Down” that the fans would complain. Or that if instead of doing a cover version of Ray Charles’ “Night Time Is The Right Time” the band did their own [and superb] “Laugh, I Nearly Died” that fans would walk out. Or that if instead of “Let's Spend The Night Together” and “Ruby Tuesday” the band played “Dangerous Beauty” and “Back Of My Hand” the crowd would get restless and distracted. Because I will say you are wrong. When the Stones are engaged and committed whatever they play sounds amazing. Witness ‘Night Time Is The Right Time”, a song that most of the fans probably never heard before. This is a COVER tune…and it gets a marvelous reception. Why don’t the Stones put this kind of commitment and energy into their OWN NEW MATERIAL? The fans would respond in kind. The concert experience would only be enhanced.

And the Stones could then stake their claim to being a relevant rock band here and now…not a quasi-nostalgia act.

Another observation…as the band was transported to the B-stage across the stadium those of us in the Front Of Stage section were left behind…literally. There is no video feed of what is happening 100 meters away…so while the fans in the back sections [rightfully and thankfully] get a closer glimpse of their heroes, the entire front of the stadium is left in darkness to hear the miserable sound emanating from the distance, and…nothing. The energy and enthusiasm of the people in this section is dissipated. Is it too much to ask to at least have the action taking place on the B-stage shown on the giant video screen, so we can participate? Who the @#$%& thought of this system?

After the band came back to the main stage, the pre-recorded bongos of “Sympathy For The Devil” announced this once-monumental song…which Jagger and the Stones have converted from an epochal cry of the soul in its’ original form, to rock and roll burlesque – all in keeping with the family-friendly atmosphere desired at today’s Stones shows. As the crowd indulged in whoo-whoo’s and the fireworks lit the sky Keith came out to take his solo…and whiffed.

This leads me to my last observation; the Stones guitarists have elevated air guitar posing to an art form. Never in my long years of concert going have I seen more inane posing by musicians. It is one thing to play a blistering solo or section of a song and then to add a little showmanship…it is quite another when showmanship supersedes musical accomplishment. In this particular instance Keith Richards strutted out to the front of the stage…walked down the middle ramp into the crowd…pulled up his sleeves – pirate smile devilishly placed on his lips…bent over his guitar in his inimitable crouch - as if preparing to fire off a volley of molten fire, like in days of old…and simply stood there bowed…awed by his own magnificence…he whiffed…nothing came out…

But thinking that this mere act of posing – this act of rock and roll mythologizing – was thrill enough for the crowd…he stood up erect after a few moments…and strutted proudly back to the main stage. The fans showered adoration upon him…while I just stood there and asked myself…”What the Flippin’ @#$%& was THAT…?” Oh, he eventually found it within himself to privilege us with a few solo notes from his guitar during the remainder of the song…and they were lovely and nasty and all that, but I had just witnessed the ULTIMATE POSE...the Mona Lisa of rock and roll guitar attitudinizing…the art of rock and roll guitar posing has never seen such a sublime, accomplished moment…If You Can’t Rock Me, indeed…

For the most part Ronnie Wood is the master of this…I have witnessed entire concerts of late where the man simply poses through the entire show. Certainly, here and there he does squeeze a few notes out…sometime in tune, sometimes not.

But with this empyreal moment Keef trumped Ronnie for all times.

The fact of the matter is that or most of this night the Stones were actually a hot band – still the best live band in the world, when they care to prove it. If and when the sound came my way I could tell they were on their game in Stuttgart. Ronnie actually hit a few timely solos, and Keef was riffing and laughing. The bonhomie on stage was contagious…

The rest of the show was simply the warhorses once again, presented with professionalism and athleticism. The crowd roared. As they always do. And always will.

The crime is that the Rolling Stones could still matter. The core 3 members still have the energy and the chops. They can still produce exciting new music. Jagger – especially when he sings the new material like SOL, or material that demands his attention and pulls him out of his autopilot – is in wonderful voice. Charlie’s back-beat is singular in music. It is THE BEDROCK. Keith’s voice has become a maestro Jazzer’s croon. The guy belongs in a smoky jazz bar mesmerizing the patrons. And when he rocks so does the world.

Ron Wood has declined immeasurably. He is good for laughs and picks and a few solos. But he is musically irrelevant. And the entourage onstage often detracts from the music, rather than adding to it. And the sound crew should be flogged and sent into exile in Baghdad. But these weaknesses are often forgotten in light of the transcendent music coming from this group.

It’s just that I still care…and I see what is…and what could be…and I ask myself…why?

“…just as long as the guitars play…they’ll steal you heart away…”

Diamond rings, Vaseline, you gave me disease, well, I lost a lot of love over you.

you sure have a way with words. That description of the role of Miss You in the current stage show, "perfunctorily performed and ....used as simply a time-killer/aural wallpaper while the band is transported from Stage A to Stage B" is the most succinct description Ive read in ages

and as for the "When they go the heart of Rock and Roll will break", remark - you should copyright it.


Interesting and well-argued post.

Turd,

Thanks for your "honest" account of the show!!!

That's why I haven't seen the Stones live since 1975, after seeing them in 69,72
75 & 75.

I live 3 hours from Las Vegas, if I want to see a "Vegas" show, I go there..

MLC

"the Stones guitarists have elevated air guitar posing to an art form"... this is my favourite line.

One of the best and most truthful reviews I've read so far, thanks!

After Milan I thought that the sound's problems would disappear in the following concerts, but except for Paris they have been constantly reported. How comes that? I mean, in the USA the sound has always been very clear!

"That's why I haven't seen the Stones live since 1975, after seeing them in 69,72
75 & 75." Baffling. How can you comment on the latter day stones if you aint seen them for 31 years???

I've seen the Video's...

MLC

MCDDTLC Wrote:
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> I've seen the Video's...
>
> MLC


Still pretty baffling.

Like watching a porno instead of shagging a bird!

Turd, that was a great read! As for the review, I couldn't agree less, it corresponds to my Paris experience at least.

I must agree that They should play more of ABB cd. ABB really is very good. If ABB were the work of a younger band, zum Beispiel, Maroon 5, I believe the cd would be selling much more so -- with critical praise, Grammy Award, etc..
Sadly it seems, at least in N.America, 20 somethings and younger cannot possibly listen to music by persons so much older than themselves. Great music does not matter. Image and role-models for kids growing up sell more than actually great music. I'm only im my early thirties too, but can recognize great music from older and younger. What the they look like does not matter; I'm uniterested in posters of the band, books, and don't really care much about their personal lives, or personas. Music. .

I am always shocked by the BAD-SOUND problems which seem to occur at European gigs. To pay, especially Stones prices, and have bad sound would be awfully disappointing.
I am a New Yorker and sound at Giants Stadium for Sept. 2002 was great(8th row, front of stage, Ron's side), as were MSG and Roseland.
August 05 Hartford Ct. and MSG Jan 18 & 20 06 were perfect sound also.
My heart goes out to European fans when I hear of bad-sound. Yet I recall a Stones show in Franfurt, and although, I wass far from the stage, the sound was excellent. Nevertheless, I am reluctant to spend for Stones-European holiday.

The Ron & Keith issues. I pray and hope Ron survives over his drinking and smoking troubles. When he is sober and focused, Ronnie is very good. As a matter of fact, if Ron were completely in good health, the Stones would sound better if Keith played rythym and Ron lead. I sometimes feel that Ronnie has been on a leash. When they play JJF, Kieth plays that famous rythym, and Ron's talent is wasted on that silly duplication of the studio version sitar noise. Unleash the lead. During the Licks Tour, they opened with SFM at MSG. Did it sound like Get Yer Ya Yas Out? Big powerful lead, blowing the roof off of MSG. No, no, no! Keith played rythym and poor Ron played that studio version silliness again. The person next to me said is Ron's guitar even plugged in? Could the Stones not see their fans thinking WTF????
Keith's lead chops have improved over the years. I like what he does on IORR;et.al.. Yet Ron still is under utilized. Jagger and Watts are always on, as was Wyman, and Jones is solid.

Great review. Let's hope the sound improves

Great review

deadegad Wrote:
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> When they
> play JJF, Kieth plays that famous rythym, and
> Ron's talent is wasted on that silly duplication
> of the studio version sitar noise. Unleash the
> lead. During the Licks Tour, they opened with SFM
> at MSG. Did it sound like Get Yer Ya Yas Out?
> Big powerful lead, blowing the roof off of MSG.
> No, no, no! Keith played rythym and poor Ron
> played that studio version silliness again.

Absolutely agree...

> Keith's lead chops have improved over the years.

Absloutely disagree...

[There'll be no wedding today...]

Turd,

Well said even if I don't agree with you all the way.
At least you made me read the longest post in years I have bothered to read.

Will always love Woody, he is born/made for the Stones. Almost, almost on the bad days as well. They need a clown who can sometimes do one hell of a guitar job.

Thanks again Turd!

TE
Oslo

The stones should read this! Maybe BV could mail it to them

its only rock n roll ... its not meant to be analysed and fretted over

it last for two hours. enjoy it for two hours and then go back to your life

I hope that you aren't wasting anymore of your money and attending anymore concerts.

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2006-12-07 04:26 by Beelyboy.

In my opinion yesterday's show was a perfect Las Vegas act, a real crowd-pleaser, perfectly produced and choreographed. It is simply amazing how fit Jagger is for his age. Keeith and Ron looked good but quite frequently their guitars got buried in the mix.

The sound on our places on the opposite side of the stage was excellent but bass-heavy and a bit sterile. I think that the first part of SFTD was an entire playback.

It was a high-energy greatest-hits show full of rockers. And that to me seems the problem. I missed a real ballad, apart from Streets of love. Why play three rockers on the B-stage. Why not play Heart of stone, for instance? The show was so perfect that I missed an emotional moment, a bit of soul or of human input. I will never forget the impression which Time is on my side made on the 1981/82 tour or the gretat choreography of 2,00 lightyears from home on the Steel Wheels tour.

Recently, courtesy to the great people of this side, I listened to Prodigal son from the 1969 US Tour. This would be impossible today: just Mick and Keith and a National steel guitar. Or think of a song like You gotta move from the 1975/76 tour. Nowadays it is unthinkable!

I am really not nostalgic (I've appreciated Simple Minds despite a very muddy, much too loud sound). But the technical overkill and the somewhat disappointing set list reminds you of tours where they had a better mix of hits and rarities, of fast and slow songs.

Extremely well-written and insightful post. Wow, great job. I have to say i agree with most of your points ... enjoying the Stones these days is starting to come with an undercurrent of sadness at their deterioration that i've never felt before.

If there's another tour after this one I hope they get a lead guitarist so Ron and Keith can just play rhythm and contribute more when/if they feel like it. That could really inject some new life into the band.

Someone should hand deliver that review to all the members of The Rolling Stones!

ohnonotyouagain Wrote:
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>... enjoying the Stones these days is
> starting to come with an undercurrent of sadness
> at their deterioration that i've never felt
> before.


You're not the only one

Cheer up its friday!!!!

Well said Turd, I've seen alot of show's on this tour and i have to agree with alot of what you said espeicially the posing has taken on a whole other element,after keith's accident unfortunatly. It seems he's still not 100% and Woody seemed to play alot better in the early stages of the tour. Hopefully by the time the U.K. gigs come around they will be in there top form almost everynight. From my experiences in past tours it takes about 10 shows to shake that rust. Well we will see in the next couple of weeks what they are made of and if this unfortunate accident put a hamper on the band musically from there leader Keef. I do have to say though that Paris was a very good show all around not much posing and they were all into it as a whole. The one thing you did mention that i also agree with is the B-stage. The people are totally fu**** and it's really unfortunate because it totally takes you out of the concert when you are up front i mean if they wanted to do that without a screen they should at least have a makeshift bar up front so we can a least have pound some cocktail's and catch a buzz so we can get back into the concert. Instead we the fans have to be squizzed against each other smelling everyone's B.O. and cigarettes in the face it's a big cluster FU**. I think they should be doing alot more of the A BIGGER BANG myself it would make the concert alot more interesting and i think everyone would be into it because changing up only 2 to 3 songs everynight is not cutting it. Because if your seeing multiple shows your hearing the same concert every other night. Maybe they need to change out chuck for making the set list and the GLIMMER TWINS should be making it every night not the HIRED HELP! Maybe the GLIMMER TWINS need to put more into this tour because it is starting to lag and it's getting very BORING!

Very good an honest review! One of the reasons I always favoured the ABB tour to the Licks tour was the sound improvement, and in Vienna in Munich it was clear and loud with the guitars high in the mix. Seems like this changed, which is a pity!


Belgrade-Bucharest-Budapest-Brno

Yes, great interesting review and thanks!

That was a very interesting read. I hope no one gives you crap for dissing the Stones, because it's obvious that you love them.

I had a similar experience during one of the Steel Wheels shows. I was watching them and 90% of the time when I looked at Keith he wasn't playing, he would do a big strum, lift his leg and hold that pose for 10 seconds. I was really bummed out when I realized that I might never see the Rollings Stones acting as though the music mattered more than the staging it up. People around me cheered him on, and I thought "don't encourage him!" It seemed he had been doing it less and less since then, but after reading your review, I am feeling saddened.

CindyC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That was a very interesting read. I hope no one
> gives you crap for dissing the Stones, because
> it's obvious that you love them.


??? Everybody agrees!!

where's jumpingKentFlash when you need him...aka BV2 !

Harm Wrote:

??? Everybody agrees!!


Not sure what you mean by that.

I think he means that so far no one is even bothering to disagree with it, because it is so obviously true.