Re: Highlights From Shows You Attended This Tour....
Date: May 8, 2006 07:27
I caught the 2 opening shows at Fenway, so I had no preconceptions about setlists or anything else. I was deeply impressed, - thrilled - by the Stones' power and authority, and though that's nothing new, it always feels like a surprise somehow. I remembered how Chuck Leavell seemed to dominate the mix at some of the 2002-03 shows, and was quite happy the guitars were to the fore, the keys & horns very much backing support except on features such as Lisa's co-lead on the swinging Ray Charles tribute, the mix dirty & loud (I never want a repeat of one sonically drab outdoor show in '94 when someone I brought yacked in my ear until told to shut up. Wouldn't have been a problem these shows, the music would have drowned him out). For me the highlight was hearing four strong new ones for the very first time - especially the Mick/Keith/Ron guitar team on Back Of My Hand. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo was super tight, & had a great Mick vocal...Also, tho I dreaded too many warhorses, I was surprised yet again to hear many of them played with so much conviction - if "Shattered" & "She's So Cold" seemed on the ramshackle side, JJF, Satisfaction, and Brown Sugar were fabulous and somehow totally fresh. Also, "Out Of Control" was dynamic and thrilling ("Sympathy" felt almost rote by comparison). Six months later, tho disappointed with a set that featured only 3 from ABB and older oldies, there were compensations: around 9 or 10 different songs played, and the band seemed tighter which together with Mick's unparalelled vitality and energy left me giddy and exhausted...JJF opened, fresh (and sweeping 15,000 up on their feet) yet again in the opening slot...A suddenly & unexpectedly powerful Start Me Up late in the show, with a stinging Ron Wood solo, and This Place Is Empty was gorgeous and soulful thanks to Bernard/Lisa/Blondie's b.v. support (brought back the memory of the 'How Can I Stop' rehearsal in 4 Flix). Another highlight: the hard funk of Rain Fall Down - all 3 guitars clear - got a surprisingly strong audience response. I never think Let's Spend the Night Together works very well live (or captures the effervescent Brian Wilson influence of the original production), but once again a killer show, as was the next one days later. I made damned sure I enjoyed those last 2, for who knows when I'll see them again? And after being there 4 times this tour my complaints about setlists seemed put back in perspective...