I have to say, after someone shared that YouTube video by CandyFromStranger, I have a completely new appreciation of Monkey Man. The guitar sounds are AMAZING.

Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is).

THANK YOU MONKEY MAN. Today's favorite Stones song for me - other than tracks from Exile mais oui.
Here's a link to the video for those of you who missed. Sorry I'm not clever enough to imbed the actual file...
Monkey Man Keith Richards
Paint it Black - you devil

deep cuts like Monkey Man make it very difficult to declare EOMS better than LIB.

True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

MMM...I see where you're going - but I have to say NO - in my estimation Exile still rules the roost. Due not only to the number of great songs on it, but the roller coaster ride the complete album takes you on. But LIB is WONDERFUL too!

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hot stuff
True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

Has anyone ever seen them play it live? I would think it would be hard to do...

There is hardly a song that features Nicky that isn't terrific. I do not think this song works particularly as well on stage as it does as a recording. Credit the production team again. I remember sitting in car with a friend, buzzed, trying to figure out the words. Did he say f-you?

one of my top 10 favorite Stones tracks. Ridiculous lyrics, yes. But the music is fantastic, and the sound is positively amazing. How Jimmy Miller got that sound I don't know - and Keith's guitar work is so beautifully nuanced.

They've never fully recaptured it on stage - the Voodoo tour versions were especially weak I thought - but the MSG 2003 performance was pretty spirited.

I'm a fleabit peanut monkey
All my friends are junkies
That's not really true

I'm a cold Italian pizza
I could use a lemon squeezer
What you do?

But I've been bit and I've been tossed around
By every she-rat in this town
Have you, babe?

Well, I am just a monkey man
I'm glad you are a monkey woman too

I was bitten by a boar
I was gouged and I was gored
But I pulled on through

Yes, I'm a sack of broken eggs
I always have an unmade bed
Don't you?

Well, I hope we're not too messianic
Or a trifle too satanic
We love to play the blues

Well I am just a monkey man
I'm glad you are a monkey, monkey woman
Monkey woman too, babe!

I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey!
I'm a monkey man! I'm a monkey man!
I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey!
Monkey! monkey! monkey!.......

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memphiscats
Has anyone ever seen them play it live?

well you bet memphiscats! the rendition on Four Flicks is especially hot - be sure to check it out

but the astonishing spaciousness of the studio version is just so gorgeous -
that riff soaring and swooping like some great splendid-plumed muscular and wild jungle bird

and since you love Monkey Man, this little number will groove you as well:





ahhh i love the Rolling Stones ... and the Pre-Barbarians too :E



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-01 20:38 by with sssoul.

I love it, especially Keith's guitar playing, even though it has what amounts to nonsense lyrics.

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with sssoul

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memphiscats
Has anyone ever seen them play it live?

well you bet memphiscats! the rendition on Four Flicks is especially hot - be sure to check it out

the astonishing spaciousness of the studio version is just so gorgeous -
that riff swooping around like some great splendid-plumed muscular and wild jungle bird

and since you love Monkey Man, this little number will groove you as well:





ahhh i love the Rolling Stones ... and the Pre-Barbarians too :E

the astonishing spaciousness of the studio version is just so gorgeous - that riff swooping around like some great splendid-plumed muscular and wild jungle bird
Perfectly stated! And I loved the video - awesome - YOU MADE MY DAY!!

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memphiscats
I have to say, after someone shared that YouTube video by CandyFromStranger, I have a completely new appreciation of Monkey Man. The guitar sounds are AMAZING.

Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is).

THANK YOU MONKEY MAN. Today's favorite Stones song for me - other than tracks from Exile mais oui.
Here's a link to the video for those of you who missed. Sorry I'm not clever enough to imbed the actual file...
Monkey Man Keith Richards
Paint it Black - you devil

>>Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is<<

Its vibraharp isn't it?

I love that song. I always imaging the jam it must have evolved from..Keith and Charlie..they get each others playing so well..
What a great example of pure Stones studio magic.

Love the track...the reason I don't like LIB as well as Exile - and it's a very small criticism - is that much of it sounds too clinically clean to me. Not enough grit. Tracks like Midnight Rambler, Live With Me an Love In Vain all sounded much better on Ya Yas, imo.

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71Tele
Love the track...the reason I don't like LIB as well as Exile - and it's a very small criticism - is that much of it sounds too clinically clean to me. Not enough grit. Tracks like Midnight Rambler, Live With Me an Love In Vain all sounded much better on Ya Yas, imo.

Ha - well I cut my teeth on IORR by criticizing MR so I won't go down that road again...I'm ashamed to admit it - I confess to you my Rolling Stones brothers & sisters that I don't own Ya Yas. Nor have I ever listened to it. I hang my head in shame - I'm not worthy...I will make it a goal to get a copy ASAP. Midnight Rambler & all



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-01 19:52 by memphiscats.

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memphiscats

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hot stuff
True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

Has anyone ever seen them play it live? I would think it would be hard to do...

Was so happy to hear they played it on the 94/95 tour. Went to the first two nights at Wembley and they didn't play it. Damn. Was outside for the third night desperately trying to get a ticket but just couldn't get one.
So went back home - about five miles away to Swiss Cottage.

Got in about 25 mins after the set started and opened the windows as I could hear the pounding music being carried on the wind from Wembley Stadium. And to my eternal amazement there it was, the strains of Monkey Man riding on the cool breeze. Man, was that a buzz and a half.

Everything was put right though after I got a ticket for the Brixton Academy show and they played it that night. So yes, I have seen them do it. And it's great live.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-01 20:50 by Silver Dagger.

The Licks version is pretty damn good. But this one here is a bit off!





From the Voodoo tour in New Jersey:






THIS is the one that is on Four Flicks, which is pretty damn good. Amazing difference with the string section from the top one to this one:

The tinkling is a mix of Nicky playing piano and Bill playing vibraphone.

I like Bill's vibraphone contribution heard throughout the track, it adds a nice little extra sonic flavour without getting in the way.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-01 20:05 by His Majesty.

Funny i always loved the sound of LIB....Being so clean in a way helped make it dirty...

Kind of eerie sounding..Menacing.. Wow, Monkey man, M.R,, Live with me, Country honk, Love in Vain
and Gimmie Shelter sound soooo great on lp..No tricks to make it sound deep and dark...

Just great magic made by the Stones in the studio. Play it Loud!

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Silver Dagger

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memphiscats

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hot stuff
True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

Has anyone ever seen them play it live? I would think it would be hard to do...

Was so happy to hear they played it on the 94/95 tour. Went to the first two nights at Wembley and they didn't play it. Damn. Was outside for the third night desperately trying to get a ticket but just couldn't get one.
So went back home - about five miles away to Swiss Cottage.

Got in about 25 mins after the set started and opened the windows as I could hear the pounding music being carried on the wind from Wembley Stadium. And to my eternal amazement there it was, the strains of Monkey Man riding on the cool breeze. Man, was that a buzz and a half.

Everything was put right though after I got a ticket for the Brixton Academy show and they played that night. So yes, I have seen them do it. And it's great live.

Great story - I love happy endings

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WeLoveToPlayTheBlues
The Licks version is pretty damn good. But this one here is a bit off!





From the Voodoo tour in New Jersey:






THIS is the one that is on Four Flicks, which is pretty damn good. Amazing difference with the string section from the top one to this one:

Wow - watched 'em all. Yeah - have to agree the last is the best or at least sounds the closest to the LIB version. THANK YOU!

Maybe the first track that made me think they were much more sophisticated musically. It's a very jazz opening and Nicky's piano lifts the whole thing. Also introduced me to the word 'messianic'. I think the lyrics are brilliant. They outline the current state of the band. This is pre-Altamont and they're already concerned with being seen as Satanic. I've seen good live versions, I guess it was the Licks Tour. A standout track on maybe their 2nd most famous LP?

One of the band's best tracks. This is a song only the Stones could make. It was a highlight on the Licks tour.

I have heard it live, the Voodoo tour in New Orleans. I managed to get the bootleg from someone too, which I think the only live boot of any show I've ever been to. It's not nearly as good as that New Jersey version, Mick sounds like he has to burp through the whole song. It seems that on the Licks tour they really PLAYED the song, where is on the Voodoo tour they just sort of did it. There's more life to the Licks tour version overall. Charlie is a bit soft on the Voodoo versions compared to the Licks versions.

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memphiscats

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hot stuff
True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

Has anyone ever seen them play it live? I would think it would be hard to do...

YES!! They did it at Toronto's ACC in 2002 and it was brilliant! We had front rows and I noticed (for some reason) that Jagger's blue- striped shirt was frayed around the edges!!

If memory serves,the lights were down and Jagger began the tune without the musicians. He teased the audience for a bit leading into the tune. Then the lights came up and the band played amazingly!

ETA: Here's the setlist for that night:

[www.iorr.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-01 20:19 by Cocaine Eyes.

You're welcome Memphiscats. I think it's this kind of thing that is the heart of IORR - sharing! Or at least a nod in the right direction!

A definitive Rolling Stones song.

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memphiscats

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hot stuff
True----Only the Rolling Stones could cut a track called Monkey Man and
make it cool!!

Has anyone ever seen them play it live? I would think it would be hard to do...

Saw them do it live in 2002 & 2006. A highlight for sure! One of the coolest Keith riffs ever!

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duke richardson

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memphiscats
I have to say, after someone shared that YouTube video by CandyFromStranger, I have a completely new appreciation of Monkey Man. The guitar sounds are AMAZING.

Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is).

THANK YOU MONKEY MAN. Today's favorite Stones song for me - other than tracks from Exile mais oui.
Here's a link to the video for those of you who missed. Sorry I'm not clever enough to imbed the actual file...
Monkey Man Keith Richards
Paint it Black - you devil

>>Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is<<

Its vibraharp isn't it?

I love that song. I always imaging the jam it must have evolved from..Keith and Charlie..they get each others playing so well..
What a great example of pure Stones studio magic.

I've read that Mick and Keith pretty much wrote it on the spot after an all night coke binge...which might account for the crazy lyrics.

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duke richardson

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memphiscats
I have to say, after someone shared that YouTube video by CandyFromStranger, I have a completely new appreciation of Monkey Man. The guitar sounds are AMAZING.

Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is).

THANK YOU MONKEY MAN. Today's favorite Stones song for me - other than tracks from Exile mais oui.
Here's a link to the video for those of you who missed. Sorry I'm not clever enough to imbed the actual file...
Monkey Man Keith Richards
Paint it Black - you devil

>>Hey Musicians - can you tell me what makes that slight tinkling sound at the beginning of the song - piano? It works so well to balance the guitars (or whatever the musical term is<<

Its vibraharp isn't it?

I love that song. I always imaging the jam it must have evolved from..Keith and Charlie..they get each others playing so well..
What a great example of pure Stones studio magic.

It's one song I'd dearly love to hear a demo or alt take of - perhaps the jamming leading up to nailing it. Wonder if it was ever recorded.
Let It Bleed is not the best served album for alt versions - we got a couple of different versions of Gimme Shelter, You Got The Silver with Mick on vocals, Country Honk with no fiddle. Hmmm, anything else? Never heard of a different studio version of Midnight Rambler.