it's a song that is almost always done brilliantly to this day. I'm partial to the very elongated '75 versions...take any of the LA '75's, for instance. It's one of the few songs that didn't take a musical downward turn with the passing of the torch from MT to Woody....

Yeah Gazza, Mathjis and all: Brussels is off the meter.

One extremely crazy and fast version is noteworthy for the amazing crowd reaction: LA Forum '72. It's a near riot.

When I saw them at Winterland in '72 and they played MR, it seemed like the building was going to collapse.

But Brussels is just perfection.

scaffer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> When I saw them at Winterland in '72 and they
> played MR, it seemed like the building was going
> to collapse.
>
>

It did collapse, albeit a decade later...but I think the MR that night may have started things....

t@a wrote:


>It's one of the few songs that didn't take a musical downward turn with the passing of the torch from MT to Woody....




oh boy, you're stirring it up again!!!

not stirring. not shaking. just reportin' the facts, sir.

Enmore Theatre 2003... BAM!!! Off to the races! A great and suprising opener but it worked on that night. It was quicker than most versions but seriously rocked.

always wondered what drove the lads to open with that one in Sydney. so unexpected and unStonesy of them.

for me, the '69/'70 versions are the best.....the 72-73 versions are awesome as well (but as BobM said) they're a bit fast and lose some of the magic groove of the '69 versions, but they're still powerfull as all hell

Albany, New York, Pepsi Arena, Sept 17, 2005; it was the 8th song just after " YCAGWYW" and it made our jaws drop! Everyone who was at that show mentions this version of " Rambler". It was SOOO great that even the band knew what had just occurred! They were smiling ear to ear! What an exceptional surprise! Was anyone at that show and if so, do you recall the power of this version of " Rambler". Ironically, a friend called me today who I hadn't spoken to since August, just after the Fenway shows, and HE mentioned Albany being exceptional, mostly due to " Rambler."

One of my favorites is from the Budokan show from 2003!
Another one is the MSG 2002 HBO special, music whise it's good but the best part is looking at the performance. Jagger is on fire!!!



Cheers,
Wuudy

rknuth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Brussels is great. The best version of Rambler
> I've heard live myself was Stuttgart 99 b-stage.


Agreed....MR in stuttgart 99 was very special.

Normaly MR is the highlight ov evry Stones show IMO.

Even a normal MR version is something special in a Stones show...

but mostly they kick ass, when playing MR.

the NY MSG HBO was such one....as well as most of the NS 99 versions performed on the b stage.

But maybe the historicans are right when saying that the 72 version on Brussels affair or Rock out Cock out is the ultimate MR version.

If you want to hear the Stones at their very, very best:
It´s the Brussels 73 version.

But nowadays it´s e v e r y MR version they play, because
it´s where they show what the are/were about (no background
and hornsoulshit).

Without question - the best MR version is (must be!) Brussels, October 17, 1973 (Brussels Affair)!

Debra Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Albany, New York, Pepsi Arena, Sept 17, 2005; it
> was the 8th song just after " YCAGWYW" and it made
> our jaws drop! Everyone who was at that show
> mentions this version of " Rambler". It was SOOO
> great that even the band knew what had just
> occurred! They were smiling ear to ear! What an
> exceptional surprise! Was anyone at that show and
> if so, do you recall the power of this version of
> " Rambler". Ironically, a friend called me today
> who I hadn't spoken to since August, just after
> the Fenway shows, and HE mentioned Albany being
> exceptional, mostly due to " Rambler."


I was there, too. It was an outstanding show (i.e. better than MSG) but I can't remember Rambler being that great that evening. But sometimes it's just kind of mood which songs grab you.

rknuth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Debra Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Albany, New York, Pepsi Arena, Sept 17, 2005;
> it
> > was the 8th song just after " YCAGWYW" and it
> made
> > our jaws drop! Everyone who was at that show
> > mentions this version of " Rambler". It was
> SOOO
> > great that even the band knew what had just
> > occurred! They were smiling ear to ear! What
> an
> > exceptional surprise! Was anyone at that show
> and
> > if so, do you recall the power of this
> version of
> > " Rambler". Ironically, a friend called me
> today
> > who I hadn't spoken to since August, just
> after
> > the Fenway shows, and HE mentioned Albany
> being
> > exceptional, mostly due to " Rambler."
>
>
> I was there, too. It was an outstanding show (i.e.
> better than MSG) but I can't remember Rambler
> being that great that evening. But sometimes it's
> just kind of mood which songs grab you.

I was at Albany also. This Albany Rambler is a total knockout! I was at MSG/HBO which did not come close to Albany. I was at Hershey 05 and that was Very Good but it did not come close to Albany. In the past I have seen it done in Hartford and Philly and other places but Albany was the best.

Btw, This is all so subjective. But for my money (remember we are talking about the Stones, cant leave that out) I will take Albany. Albany just grabbed you and did not let go.

My first Stones Show was a MSG 72. (Remember having to write in lottery style for tickets. If you were picked then you got a card back to go to the Garden present the card and pick up the tickets.
The day of the show there were multiple NYC police barricades, the mounted police were out in force. Security was tighter then than now. I digress and am getting off topic.

BTW - My favorite Stones song = Rambler.

T&A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> it's a song that is almost always done brilliantly
> to this day. I'm partial to the very elongated
> '75 versions...take any of the LA '75's, for
> instance. It's one of the few songs that didn't
> take a musical downward turn with the passing of
> the torch from MT to Woody....


agree with all that. In all honesty, I've never heard a version of Rambler that I didnt love. Its consistently been the song theyve played better than any other throughout their career

Brussels 73
Roseland 2002 (incredible)

Ya ya's :a bit overdubbed but still a very good version
Leeds 71 :bluesy
Brussels 73 : the 5 Stones at their peak,incredible version
Paris 7/06/76:Ron and Keith at their best
Rio 95