This morning I was enjoying the new live release from the Jerry Garcia vaults which features Nicky Hopkins on piano (and musical direction) and opens with a long, slow motion version of the Chuck Berry classic, "Let It Rock," which of course also was performed live by the Stones with Nicky in 1971. More of a musical exploration than a rocker, the Garcia/Hopkins version is played at half-tempo (or less) compared with the Stones/Hopkins version. Clocking in at around ten minutes the Garcia version features plenty of soloing, most of it quite adventerous. Nicky is given two solos, the second of which is very imaginative. The FIRST solo however is virtually the same as Nicky's playing on the Stones version. Nicky doesn't have a solo per se on the Stones version but his rollicking, barrelhouse piano is virtually the same as his first solo on the Garcia collaboration a few years later. He even plays his part in the same tempo as the Stones version which means he was playing it double time with Garcia.

Hardly an epiphany, just an interesting aural observation I thought I'd pass along.

I believe this is one of those songs they would have Stu sit in on stage.

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Carnaby
I believe this is one of those songs they would have Stu sit in on stage.

Not in 1971.

(and musical direction) [/quote]

What do you mean?

Nocky Hopkins? That's a new one on me. ><

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Zack
(and musical direction)

What do you mean?[/quote]

Throughout the disc Nicky calls out instructions to the band as well as the intros and stage patter.

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R

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Carnaby
I believe this is one of those songs they would have Stu sit in on stage.

Not in 1971.

I wasn't at the 71 shows, but in 72 they would have Stu come out on select tunes, particularly anything Chuck Berry related. Let's put it this way, the Leeds version of LIR sure sounds like Stu. Taking nothing away from Nicky.

According to Nico Zentgraf it was Hopkins on the '71 tour:

4th March - 14th March: 8th British Tour („Farewell Tour“)
Line-up: MJ (voc, harm)/KR (gtr, bvoc)/MT (gtr)/BW (bass)/CW (dr)/
Nicky Hopkins (p)/Bobby Keys (sax)/Jim Price (tp)

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Glam Descendant
According to Nico Zentgraf it was Hopkins on the '71 tour:

4th March - 14th March: 8th British Tour („Farewell Tour“)
Line-up: MJ (voc, harm)/KR (gtr, bvoc)/MT (gtr)/BW (bass)/CW (dr)/
Nicky Hopkins (p)/Bobby Keys (sax)/Jim Price (tp)

Yes, that is the line-up, as on the 72 tour. I'm just saying that on Chuck Berry related songs, Stu would appear on stage.