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Silver Dagger
On Exile On Main Street we are literally spoilt for choice for exceptional songs and Sweet Black Angel is certainly one of them.
For starters they have created here an original music form – part country blues, part calypso, part hillbilly folk – that is quite unique. Usually you can tell right away who or what has inspired a Stones’ song but this is most definitely music of their own devising and a great example of the wonderful melting pot of primarily roots American music that is Exile On Main Street.
It’s also one of the most political songs the band have ever written – almost certainly Mick’s lyrics and this black consciousness inspired by his recent affair with Marsha Hunt.
Was there any need for the 'n' word in the song? I'm not so sure and I doubt whether, written today, Jagger would have used it. It certainly doesn't add any gravitas to the already controversial lyrics.
And despite the heaviness of the lyrics about the murder rap on black activist Angela Davis the music has an incredible warmth, like a campfire song with the sweetest sounding acoustic guitars, that amazing percussion including Mick’s harp playing, a jew’s harp, scraper and Charlie’s cowbell. You're immediately transported to another place - for me it's a backwoods Louisiana bayou with frogs croaking, crickets chirping and a jug of hooch being passed around in the sweet summer moonshine.
And then of course there’s Keith’s backup singing. I don’t think Keith was ever in better voice then on Exile, those high register harmonies are all over this album and here they lend the song a sweetness. And let’s not forget that beautiful, underlying marimba playing that comes in just towards the end played by Amyl Nitrate, otherwise known as Richard ‘Didymus’ Washington, from Dr John’s band.
As far as I know the Stones have never played it live, which is a real shame as I think going forward, they could reintroduce a trio of acoustic songs into their set. This one would be perfect to include.
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DandelionPowderman
One of my absolute favourites. Ever!
A mesmerisingly beautiful folk/carribean-esque tune, with a rare political statement from the Glimmers.
Takes me back to the beauty of I Am Waiting, but it adds to that beauty. Love it
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DandelionPowderman
Great write-up, Mike!
But they have played it live. Here's the 1972-version:
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Silver DaggerQuote
DandelionPowderman
Great write-up, Mike!
But they have played it live. Here's the 1972-version:
Wow - didn't know that. I'll add that version to my alternate Exile On Main Street compilation of alt versions or songs played live as near to the launch of Exile as possible.
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exhpart
Sounds bad live though not surprised they dropped it
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Doxa
Anyways, EXILE ON MAIN STREET was by no means any easy-listening album from a first listen, and it surely took me some time to really 'grasp' it, and even today, like Chris Fountain said, it is "still giving".
- Doxa
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DandelionPowderman
The live version is still caribbean-sounding. The only difference is really that Keith chose to use his electric guitar as a rhythm instrument, instead of the single-string acoustic.
Nice touch with the horns, imo.
However, the live version sounds very raw and unpolished. That way it loses much of its charm and beauty.
But the groove remains...
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marcovandereijk
I think this live version is the missing link between Sweet Black Angel and Luxury.
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DoxaQuote
marcovandereijk
I think this live version is the missing link between Sweet Black Angel and Luxury.
Good point!
- Doxa
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DandelionPowdermanQuote
DoxaQuote
marcovandereijk
I think this live version is the missing link between Sweet Black Angel and Luxury.
Good point!
- Doxa
+1