[www.spinner.com]

When do you start those jam sessions with Ronnie and Charlie?

The idea is to go in December. I said, "Jesus Christ, we haven't played together for a couple of years. We better get our chops together." So it basically is just like that, it's just a jam.

Are you planning on playing Stones songs or maybe just some blues jams?

Playing anything. I can't tell you. I'm not Nostradamus, my friend. I ain't telling you anything about that because I know nothing except we're just going to play.

Any sign of Mick coming?

Of course. I mean, everybody's welcome. I was going to ask Bill Wyman to come by too. And Mick Taylor. The whole lot. They're all Stones, you know? Why not?

So, with the 'Some Girls' reissue, how involved were you in digging through the archives?

Well, pretty much the same as Mick. We went with what we could find. It took us a while to actually find the master tapes, but after that it was pretty easy. 'Claudine,' I wished, and I think all of us did at the time, that that should have been on the original album, but there was some legal difficulties and stuff. But otherwise, she was a perfect 'Some Girl.' [Ed. note: The song deals with actress Claudine Longet, who was charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend and sentenced to 30 days in jail]

What memories of the recording sessions does this bring back? In your book, you talked about sleeping in the studio at some point and getting woken up by a police band who were also recording there.

Yeah, I did. But that was nothing really. I woke up with the police band playing [laughs]. I crept out as quietly as possible.

They were long sessions, some of them. I mean, we wouldn't start until midnight. It was just Paris. Everybody would have dinner first and then wind their way to the studio around midnight so then you would go on until whenever. For all I know, the sun was always up when I went out [laughs].

And you decided to do it as a live-band recording with minimal overdubs.

Yeah, it was a deliberate idea of Mick and I to strip the band back down to basics. And also, it was the first full album that I was doing with Ronnie, so we were all feeling our way in that respect. We were just getting into each other's way of playing on this stuff. To me, I remember it as a load of fun, but I'm sure some other people might have other ideas [laughs].

Was there natural connection between you and Ronnie?

Yeah, it was. That was one of the joys of it. Every session we'd go to, every day -- and we were there a long time -- Ronnie and I realized we were finding a way to play together. As Ronnie calls it, the ancient form of weaving. You don't know which guitar is doing what. And that's the joy of playing with two guitars or three, the interaction. I remember it as a fun album to make.

Even in spite of your trial for heroin trafficking in Toronto?

Oh, man, yeah. I mean, I think that's what actually made it more fun. Once I was in the studio, I could forget all the several indictments that were hanging over my head [laughs]. Just send them away. That's what music can do, I guess. At the same time, I was never particularly concerned about the outcome of any of these things. I just felt that the people wouldn't put me in jail, you know? [Laughs]

Did that add to urgency of the songs? A good portion of the album is fast and tense.

Yeah, I was thinking about it when I was listening to it the last few weeks. There might have been a sort of "better get this in before they put you in" [laughs]. There's nothing like the possibility of going to jail to really get you going.

That charge was really serious. Did you think at any point that this might have been the end for the Stones?

It could go either way, let's put it like that. I was prepared for one or the other, but I just had faith in the people out there. I might be dopey, but I was right.

And then you wrote a song about it, 'Before They Make Me Run.'

It came fairly easily. Once I got through the work in the bars and the stuff, it probably took me a week. I would sort of do a verse a day, slowly add to it. But I wasn't conscious of it being particularly autobiographical. I just thought it was an interesting story. But sometimes what's close to you, you don't see.

And it became an important track for you. You were there for five days working on it.

Yeah, my engineer nearly died. He got a medal for that one.

During these sessions, you were able to do some great work while using heroin.

Yeah, this was my last record on that stuff. It was an experiment that went on too long. But I was almost on the tail end of it when we were cutting this album. Although I've never felt ... it's kind of like when they talk about Charlie Parker and that saxophone players would go on the stuff because that's what they thought made Charlie Parker so great. It doesn't [make you] play any better. It just gives you a different point of view on things. And the biggest point of view is to get the hell out of here [laughs].

A lot of the songs were very inspired by New York. How much of that was your doing?

Mine and a lot of Mick's too. We were both living in the city for quite a while in '76 and '75, and hey, you know what the city's like -- it rubs off on you. We just happened to record it in Paris but I think we carried New York to Paris.

And the disco era came in with 'Miss You.'

Well, at the time, it was the disco beat. To me, it was like the twist or something. It was a variation on rhythm and blues grooves, and I really didn't think one way or the other about it. Mick was hitting the clubs a lot then so he was very much into that beat, the four on the floor and we just thought we'd give it a try. It wasn't like "Let's make a disco record." We don't arrive at decision in that way. It's "Hey, I heard this groove. Let's check this out." It just sort of happened.

Just like how you guys got into reggae.

Yeah, very much the same way. You fall into it. Suddenly you've got the feel for it and you want to know how it's done and you check it out. It's like Second Line, New Orleans music, straight rock 'n' roll: Every different beat is fodder [laughs].

What else about your life in New York do you feel got into this album?

You know, I've lived in New York quite a lot. I'm sort of an honorary member. I love the city, especially the Village. I record a lot down there, so I'm in and out of that joint all the time. I love the energy of New York. I'm recording with Steve Jordan, we're doing some Winos thing, [aka X-Pensive Winos, Keith's side project] just by ourselves. It's an interesting experiment.

What can you reveal about the project?

It's reminiscent of Winos but at the same time, it's 20 years on. How can you describe music? But there's some damn good stuff coming out. Steve and I are having a lot of fun and some great guys have been dropping by. Aaron Neville came by and did stuff, Ivan Neville came by.

Any chance you'll get Tom Waits to repay you for your work on his new album, 'Bad as Me'?

Oh, Tom, that was a great session. Did that in one afternoon down in Chinatown. I love working with Tom. You never know what he's going to hit you with. There is that element of "Come on, surprise me" between the two of us.

To get back to 'Some Girls,' I've read that you wrote 'Beast of Burden' as kind of a way to talk about the struggles you had with drugs in the '70s, as sort of an apology to Mick. Is that accurate?

Only to a point, because a lot of the song was written by Mick. I said, "This is called 'Beast of Burden'" and I gave him the first verse. That's the way we often work. "The song goes like this. Hey Mick, take it away." And he we would do amazing things with it. I mean, the impetus was from that stuff. but then I wanted Mick to get his input in. That's the beauty of songwriting.

Do you have a favorite track on the album?

Wow, man. That's rough, always when it comes to favorites. 'Beast of Burden' is probably the one that will come straight to mind. It has a great sound and I thought the band was playing really good. And the other thing I noticed about listening back to 'Some Girls' is how incredible Billy Wyman's bass playing is. Maybe it's because of the remixing and you hear it more but I was astounded by Bill's bass. I loved it. I miss the old sod.

When was the last time you spent time together?

I saw him last year I think, somewhere in London, briefly. We're in touch now and again. He sends me notes. Hey, maybe we'll still get together, you know?

How about Ronnie? Do you guys spend a lot of time together still?

Oh yeah, sure. My basic thing is that he, Charlie and I are going to work together. Just go in and see if we can warm our chops up. And of course everyone else is welcome. Mick Taylor's welcome. I don't see why everybody who was a Stone shouldn't be involved.

So what do you want to achieve with the 50th anniversary?

I want to pull it off. That, at the moment, is my task.

It must be somewhat of a logistical nightmare.

Well, we'll find out. I usually find that logistical nightmares can always be overcome if everyone wants to get together.

Ronnie's had his battles with sobriety, but I've read that you also quit drinking in support of him. Is that true?

As far as I know, he's been off of the stuff for about a year.

Is it true that you're off too?

I don't want to talk about it. I don't consider myself an alcoholic. I have a drink when I want to and that's it. I don't really think about it. It's other people that think about it, so I don't really want to talk about it.

You just won a Mailer Award for 'Life.' What was that like?

Oh, yes, I was with President Clinton. A great double act.

What's your relationship with him like?

We only meet infrequently. I happened to meet him down in the islands, Parrot Cay, because he had rented a house next door so I went by. We have a great time. Bill is all right. He plays sax, you know, and he's a pretty regular guy for being President.

Are you surprised at all the accolades for the book?

Yeah, that was astounding. I had no idea this book was going to such proportions. I figured there'd be some interest, obviously, but it's been astounding, yes. It's been award after award. I'm working the red carpets like a motherf---er.

Now that you're a best-selling offer, can we expect more writing from you?

I don't know. I might write one called 'Death.' [Laughs]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-17 22:26 by Justin.

Nice read. Thanks

-------------------
Keep On Rolling

[www.iorr.org]

mmmh yes there's another thread about the jam but the invite to bill wyman e mick taylor is new news to me, maybe i overlooked it but...
maybe it is keith doing "keith" but that "I don't see why everybody who was a Stone shouldn't be involved." rings a big bell about the 50th anniversary, imho

...thanks Justin .... that's a goodun ta read ....



ROCKMAN

THanks Justin, indeed - that's a good read. Keith even mentions Bill Wyman twice....even though the question is not about him; or bassplaying....that's not too often

No problem, Rockman and Erik...it certainly was a nice interview!

---
Sure, I could've put this in the original thread but it would no doubt been lost and overlooked considering the magnitude of this news--it would have gotten another post by someone anyway. This is an update to the original post with more information plus the article contains a new story with the Some Girls release so it justifies a new thread. No doubt BV will merge this thread with the original Sticky after a day once everyone has gotten a chance to read this.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-17 22:51 by Justin.

Maybe not a world tour but I guess all Iorr board members will join for a very special show. It sounds like the final reunion to prepare

"we know it's a bit late but we hope you don't mind if we stay"

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-11-17 22:50 by Justin.

Some Girls deluxe, live in Texas DVD, official Brussels Affair and now Mick T and Bill invited back! There is only so much excitement I can take in one day!

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maumau
mmmh yes there's another thread about the jam but the invite to bill wyman e mick taylor is new news to me, maybe i overlooked it but...

That other thread is a sticky, with the intention to keep all info together and always on top of the list on page 1. Making another thread makes it more likely for people *not* to read the additional info.

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Koen

Quote
maumau
mmmh yes there's another thread about the jam but the invite to bill wyman e mick taylor is new news to me, maybe i overlooked it but...

That other thread is a sticky, with the intention to keep all info together and always on top of the list on page 1. Making another thread makes it more likely for people *not* to read the additional info.

It's easy to overlook such an interview on a 10 page long sticky thread. I think it deserved it's seperate thread, myself. Otherwise I'd miss it.

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MickyG
Some Girls deluxe, live in Texas DVD, official Brussels Affair and now Mick T and Bill invited back! There is only so much excitement I can take in one day!

Christmas!!

Thanks for posting Justin, answered a question I just threw out to the massess regarding Bill.Cheers.

Sure thing klrkcr!


It looks to me that Keith has finally come around seeing Bill's wonderful presence in the band and it seems the new mixes in these recordings have made it clear for Keith. Much like many fans here, I suspected that Keith was always a fan of the most modern Stones...the recent sound and the current lineup. He's a fan of the band just like anyone else and it seems that he would take a recording of the band from recently over any recording from the early days.

That seems to have shifted now as he's beginning to see just how much power they had in those days. I think the latest reissue projects (Exile and Some Girls) plus this Archives Project has finally made Keith see that Bill and Taylor were crucial players that brought out the best in the band. It's finally hitting home...

Wow. It's going to be a good year.

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Sipuncula
Wow. It's going to be a good year.

Uhm let's hope so. It's almost over.

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Erik_Snow
Uhm let's hope so. It's almost over.

2012, my man. 2012.

If the worlds ends in 2012..I'm gonna be so freakin angry.

Thanks Justin for the great article!

I wonder - - should Bill come back to participate, I wonder what that could mean for Darryl Jones. Would they just shun him or would the band have both bassists contribute? Would Darryl even be interested in a 50th anniversary celebration? Does anyone know where Darryl stands on things right now?

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Justin
Sure thing klrkcr!


It looks to me that Keith has finally come around seeing Bill's wonderful presence in the band and it seems the new mixes in these recordings have made it clear for Keith. Much like many fans here, I suspected that Keith was always a fan of the most modern Stones...the recent sound and the current lineup. He's a fan of the band just like anyone else and it seems that he would take a recording of the band from recently over any recording from the early days.

That seems to have shifted now as he's beginning to see just how much power they had in those days. I think the latest reissue projects (Exile and Some Girls) plus this Archives Project has finally made Keith see that Bill and Taylor were crucial players that brought out the best in the band. It's finally hitting home...

Agree totally Justin,I wonder also if the Boogie for Stu show where Charlie,Bill Mick T and Ronnie played together may have sparked an idea? But certainly listening to the power they generated in those days....amazing!!! Cheers.

Nice to hear Keith saying good things about others, not exactly his usual modus operandi...old age ?

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gotdablouse
Nice to hear Keith saying good things about others, not exactly his usual modus operandi...old age ?

It's called regret...

Bill and Mick T? Seriously? I mean it would be magnificent to see them all together again but, wow, bootleg releases today AND talk of bringing the old guns out of retirement? Must be having some wonderful dream here!

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sf37
Thanks Justin for the great article!

I wonder - - should Bill come back to participate, I wonder what that could mean for Darryl Jones. Would they just shun him or would the band have both bassists contribute? Would Darryl even be interested in a 50th anniversary celebration? Does anyone know where Darryl stands on things right now?

Darryl's an interchangeable hired gun, never was a band member. So... does it matter?

[thepowergoats.com]

If Bill came back, I think Darryl would be out. If Mick Taylor returned they would become a three guitar band. MT and Ronnie are obviously Stones, as Keith put it, but Darryl was simply the numero uno hired hand.

True enough, Darryl was a hired gun and not an official Stone, I agree he probably would be out if Bill comes back. But Darryl had been with the band for a good length of time, with meaningful contributions, so I figured he must have established some cameraderie with the guys. I just figured it might be a nice gesture to invite him for some input, but if not, it's probably not a big deal in the end.

If ( and of course it has not been confirmed yet) Bill and Mick T did perform with the stones again,Im sure UK shows,or maybe just the one would be possible.But what about the US or the rest of the world? Once again,nothing has been confirmed regarding any world tour,but would Bill travel? If not ,they may use Darryl for any outside the UK performances.

Quote
sf37


I wonder - - should Bill come back to participate, I wonder what that could mean for Darryl Jones. Would they just shun him or would the band have both bassists contribute? Would Darryl even be interested in a 50th anniversary celebration? Does anyone know where Darryl stands on things right now?

Everybody say hello to Darryl...

I posted a rumor similar to this about a year and a half ago. A buddy of mine said they would be bringing Taylor and Wyman back and do a big celebration on 50. I distinctly remember being shot down for even THINKING such a thing might be possible...