I just now heard a boot of the first show from the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 and i'm completely shocked at how good it is! They completely tore it up that night and it has one of the best versions of Sympathy For The Devil that I have ever heard. This is probably the first show i've heard from that tour that i've actually fully enjoyed. Everything else is just not very good to me and it gets me wondering if there were other shows from that tour that were on par with this one.

Saitama, Japan from March / April (?) 2006 just before Keith's accident was a great show and officially recorded for TV. This year was the nearest they have got to that level again.

sc uk

This was a great tour. Only in 2007 Europe for the first half Keith was really off. Paris 2006 is the best show i have seen by the Stones.

Still the great fat full sound of the guitars on this tour is just incomparable with the ABB tour.

The stage was mental. The last real world tour. Really loved it.

To be honest - and this is based solely on recordings as I ddint see any shows until January 2006 - I thought the ABB tour shows were pretty ropey prior to the Hollywood Bowl shows in early November, which were stellar. They continued in good form for the remaining few weeks of that year (Houston and Memphis are especially good) and into 2006 until Keith had his accident in the spring.

Europe was a bit uneven for the first few shows, after that they were pretty solid.

I'd avoid the first few weeks of the US tour that followed - as bad as Keith's ever been, unfortunately, Thankfully it did pick up again.

Similar pattern in 2007. A few ropey shows early on but more consistent from July onwards. I think the improvement may have been down to Keith getting rid of that horrendous moustache.

Oh men that horrible moustache.... Now i have found something to use in the 'What do the Stones regret' topic.

Seattle for everyone except Ronnie. Keith was on fire & Blondie Chaplin provided more than capable 2nd guitar. Ronnie wasn't in too good of shape that night. He did redeem himself 2 nights later in Portland. This was toward the beginning of the tour.

My favourites from this tour are St Paul 2005 (Best Beast ever), Hollywood 2nd show the same autumn (It Won't take long!) , Paris 2006 (amazing night) Giants stadium 2006 and Copenhagen 2007, (Keith on fire after the rubbish written by a certain northern swedish c**t).

You're a rag trade girl, You're the queen of porn, You're the easiest lay on the white house lawn!!

Of the 3 shows I saw on that tour, Baltimore was the best.

Saitama, the video is great!

Hamburg 2007 did the trick for me thought they were in fine form...

The second one of 3 shows in London O2 - 2007 was one of them.
A really great show

Per Arne

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PaintMonkeyManBlack
Oh men that horrible moustache.... Now i have found something to use in the 'What do the Stones regret' topic.

LOL

Oslo 2007 was great. Fab version of Monkey Man.

I attended 14 US shows 2005-6 starting with Fenway Boston and ending with Atlantic City. Favorite was Baltimore, probably because I was in first row thanks to fan club pre-sale.

BTW - Why is this thread OT?

HBK



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-07-19 16:19 by HouseBoyKnows.

Brno 2007 also....

Of the 12 (or maybe was it 13?) shows I saw that tour, both Hollywood Bowl shows were the best with the L.A. Forum show as runner up mainly due to having a 3rd row seat and being in the comfort of the classic old Forum vs. the sterile Staples Center. And special mention for the Nijmegen show.

*As I haven't listened to the boots in ages, opinion based on all around experience and memories vs. performance alone.

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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-07-19 18:53 by Hairball.

The only show I saw on that tour was Nijmegen '07. I confess that I hesitated to even go at all, because no one else would go with me (the friends that went along to earlier shows didnt want to go this time). The weather predictions were very bad to say the least, and they turned out to be not just predictions, shall we say.
However, from the very first note they played I thought they were what I would call 'reassuringly good' and I was rather glad that I had decided to undertake the not very comfortable journey there, especially when I noticed the small stage rolling up right to where I was standing and Mick was not 10 feet away.
I do think that theres a difference between attending a concert and listening to a recording of it. The experience of being there is what counts the most to me, so I count this show as one of the best I saw, in, what, 30 odd years. Matter of fact, that was the last one I attended. Its so hard to get tickets these days when they play only one show instead of the 5 or 6 they used to do here.

Yes SomeGuy, the weather reports were correct and it rained heavily with thunder all the way up until Van Morrison's set which he cut short at about four songs (though he was still great haha). I recall cowering under a makeshift tarp with my wife and a few other fans who we didn't know, and my main concern was not spilling my beer! But once Van left, the skies cleared for the rest of the evening! Have to say Nijmegen is a beautiful and historical city (the oldest city in the Netherlands), and I hope to return some day - great memories.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

Atlantic city.

Why is this OT?

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Hairball
Of the 12 (or maybe was it 13?) shows I saw that tour, both Hollywood Bowl shows were the best with the L.A. Forum show as runner up mainly due to having a 3rd row seat and being in the comfort of the classic old Forum vs. the sterile Staples Center. And special mention for the Nijmegen show.

*As I haven't listened to the boots in ages, opinion based on all around experience and memories vs. performance alone.

Isn't Nijmegen regarded as their nadir, perhaps together with Werchter?

I have only seen the fvck ups on video + a couple of videos here and there, though. But I remember the fuss about those shows back in the day..

It's nice to see Nijmegen mentioned as a good show, though, despite the incident with Keith on Happy. The overall experience counts the most

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DandelionPowderman


Isn't Nijmegen regarded as their nadir, perhaps together with Werchter?

Nadir? The Werchter show was great, which is evident in this video: video: [www.youtube.com]. The shows I saw in 2007 was better than those I saw in 2006. The band sounded more rushed and unfocused in 2006 IMO. Keith was a bit on and off and unpredictable (perhaps due to mediction) in 2007 like when he messed up ''Happy'' in Nijmegen, but overall his playing was good I think.

I honestly don't get the hype with Saitama 2006. It seems decent at best.

Atlanta 1 in '05

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NeverMakeASaintOfMe
I just now heard a boot of the first show from the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 and i'm completely shocked at how good it is! They completely tore it up that night and it has one of the best versions of Sympathy For The Devil that I have ever heard. This is probably the first show i've heard from that tour that i've actually fully enjoyed. Everything else is just not very good to me and it gets me wondering if there were other shows from that tour that were on par with this one.

Both shows were pretty damn good....both San Francisco and the one in San Diego also really good...Fresno--eh.. L.A.in 06 solid but not spectacular..Vegas was good also...at least they were playing new trax from the latest LP...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-07-20 02:25 by diverseharmonics.

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DandelionPowderman

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Hairball
Of the 12 (or maybe was it 13?) shows I saw that tour, both Hollywood Bowl shows were the best with the L.A. Forum show as runner up mainly due to having a 3rd row seat and being in the comfort of the classic old Forum vs. the sterile Staples Center. And special mention for the Nijmegen show.

*As I haven't listened to the boots in ages, opinion based on all around experience and memories vs. performance alone.

Isn't Nijmegen regarded as their nadir, perhaps together with Werchter?

I have only seen the fvck ups on video + a couple of videos here and there, though. But I remember the fuss about those shows back in the day..

It's nice to see Nijmegen mentioned as a good show, though, despite the incident with Keith on Happy. The overall experience counts the most

Perhaps you're remembering wrong, or confusing it with another show? I don't recall there being much "fuss" except mostly maybe about the weather.
And while it certainly wasn't the best show ever (yes there were screw ups as always), by no means was it their nadir of the tour by any stretch, at least not from my perspective. Of the 12 (or 13?) shows I saw during the ABB tour, I'd say Oakland Coliseum show was probably the least favorite for a variety of reasons, but there were probably other shows over the entire tour that made that look and sound like the best ever.
Take a look at the mostly positive reviews of Nijmegen from those who were there to jog your memory (as I did earlier today after writing my initial post above) and/or to get a better perspective.
Based on these, from what I'm reading seems like it was a pretty good show - rain and all. And listening to the boot right now while reminiscing - it sounds pretty darn good!

Nijmegen

Some select random quotes compiled from the above link:

- The crowd was wet but very happy. Too bad they had to finish. A great show indeed.
- great concert of one of the greatest bands in the world.
- I think the Stones went back to their hotel (or plane) in good spirits, 'cause they had given a good show and left a happy crowd.
- It was a special night, and the Stones delivered. They are just the best.
- Tonight was Keith's night, with sizzling solos -- aided and abetted by Ronnie -- on "She Was Hot," "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," and especially "I Wanna Hold You."
- Ronnie played very tight and worked hard and Keith had a very good night too. Charlie is always a steady force, just as Darryl, but the man who really deserves a compliment is the man in front: Mick Jagger.
-sound and the setup in Nijmegen was far better than any concert I have attended, and The Stones were clear and crispy. Keith was sparkling, Mick full of unknown energy, and the band showed us their pleasure and guts.
- Seeing Mick and Keef, or Keef and Ron trade licks, in the same frame on the video screen was just one of those shivers up the spine moments that don't happen very often
- Where Keith seemed a little bit in a different world in Werchter, he was sharp in Nijmegen.
- I had the impression they gave some extra for the many fans who stood there, most of them soaking wet after heavy, heavy rain, thunder and lightning.
- A good show and a great atmosphere. We loved it.

And finally, the full review from the well respected Dean Goodman - always nice to read Dean's honest and often humorous reviews - warts and all:
(I didn't realize he was at this show! Seems we've been to many of the same ones throughout the years):

Review by Dean Goodman

This is what passes for a nice summer's day in Holland - torrential rain, thunder and lightning. I'm sure there will be plenty more shows like this.
And if the weather drives the Stones to the glorified heights that they reached in Nijmegen, then fans are in for a great tour.

God bless Van for cutting his set short midway though about the 4th song. No one was paying any attention, because we were huddled under giant plastic sheets -- some of us unfortunate enough to be suffocated by smokers. The early stop allowed the Stones crew to get ready, while I was bracing myself for a painful couple of hours in the rain and cold.

Fortunately, the rain stopped just as the show started, and then my pot brownie started to take effect, so I was feeling great.

Mick had a slow start, constantly looking back at guidance from Chuck for "Start Me Up," and evidently forgetting every part of "You Got Me Rocking." He was about to sing a chorus until Chuck pointed out that it was the time for Ronnie's guitar solo.

Tonight was Keith's night, with sizzling solos -- aided and abetted by Ronnie -- on "She Was Hot," "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," and especially "I Wanna Hold You." The latter seemed like a completely different song from the never-ending one performed at Werchter. I have to admit I had no idea what song Keith was playing next until about 30 seconds in. It seemed he was playing every riff in his songbook before locking on the one for "Happy." I also had that feeling at the end when he came out to the spotlight solo and started on what would eventually be "Jumpin' Jack Flash." My only advice -- no more sleeveless shirts. His upper arms, pockmarked and wrinkly, are not a pleasant sight.

"Sweet Virginia" was another highlight. When the song was clearly over, Mick asked everyone to sing the chorus again, a capella. And I thought we did a great job. But then I had one of those drug-induced moments of paranoia where I thought I was the only one singing and the stadium was completely silent.

The only real issue I have is that the backing vocalists are still too high in the mix, and Chuck's keyboards are now threatening to dominate "Start Me Up."

Once again, transport afterwards was a hassle. With the show starting about an hour early, the buses weren't waiting for us at the close. I was lucky to get one of the first ones out, but thousands must have been left cooling their heels for some hours.

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After reading through all that, seems unreasonable to say this show (perhaps together with Werchter) was the nadir.

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TheBlockbuster

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DandelionPowderman


Isn't Nijmegen regarded as their nadir, perhaps together with Werchter?

Nadir? The Werchter show was great, which is evident in this video: video: [www.youtube.com]. The shows I saw in 2007 was better than those I saw in 2006. The band sounded more rushed and unfocused in 2006 IMO. Keith was a bit on and off and unpredictable (perhaps due to mediction) in 2007 like when he messed up ''Happy'' in Nijmegen, but overall his playing was good I think.

It was a long tour with several different legs between Aug. 2005 and Aug. 2007, and would be near impossible to single out one or two shows as the nadir.
Unlike the mini No Filter tour I and II with a total of only 28 shows (?) where the general consensus from those who saw multiple shows is that Hamburg was probably the low point.
But of course there are those who think it was great regardless of the mostly poor reviews, and maybe for them it was.

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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2018-07-20 04:35 by Hairball.

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diverseharmonics

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NeverMakeASaintOfMe
I just now heard a boot of the first show from the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 and i'm completely shocked at how good it is! They completely tore it up that night and it has one of the best versions of Sympathy For The Devil that I have ever heard. This is probably the first show i've heard from that tour that i've actually fully enjoyed. Everything else is just not very good to me and it gets me wondering if there were other shows from that tour that were on par with this one.

Both shows were pretty damn good....both San Francisco and the one in San Diego also really good...Fresno--eh.. L.A.in 06 solid but not spectacular..Vegas was good also...at least they were playing new trax from the latest LP...

i'll be sure to check some of those out. I also recall El Paso '06 being pretty good.

Also I forgot about McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, 2006. That one REALLY rocks and there's a great audience tape of it. Good show with an even better set list containing songs like She Was Hot, Dead Flowers, Bitch, Streets Of Love, Connection, and Just My Imagination! I forgot all about this shows existence until now and it's a great one. I recommend those who haven't heard it to go and check it out.

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NeverMakeASaintOfMe
Also I forgot about McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, 2006. That one REALLY rocks and there's a great audience tape of it. Good show with an even better set list containing songs like She Was Hot, Dead Flowers, Bitch, Streets Of Love, Connection, and Just My Imagination! I forgot all about this shows existence until now and it's a great one. I recommend those who haven't heard it to go and check it out.

Hmmmm...the tape might be good, and yes it was a decent setlist (despite Streets of Love), but the show itself definitely wasn't one of the best in comparison to all the others I attended, and not that great in comparison to dozens of boots from other shows that tour. An overall average show at best, and in fact it was my least favorite. But just goes to show, varying opinions and a variety of different perspectives makes it impossible for everyone to be on the same page regarding what makes a particular show good or bad.

_____________________________________________________________
Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

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Hairball

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NeverMakeASaintOfMe
Also I forgot about McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, 2006. That one REALLY rocks and there's a great audience tape of it. Good show with an even better set list containing songs like She Was Hot, Dead Flowers, Bitch, Streets Of Love, Connection, and Just My Imagination! I forgot all about this shows existence until now and it's a great one. I recommend those who haven't heard it to go and check it out.

Hmmmm...the tape might be good, and yes it was a decent setlist (despite Streets of Love), but the show itself definitely wasn't one of the best in comparison to all the others I attended, and not that great in comparison to dozens of boots from other shows that tour. An overall average show at best, and in fact it was my least favorite. But just goes to show, varying opinions and a variety of different perspectives makes it impossible for everyone to be on the same page regarding what makes a particular show good or bad.

Very true! In the end it's all just a matter of taste.