Many of us would agree that the Stones live from 1969 - 1973 were untouchable. Furthermore, the '78 and '81 tours were pretty shit hot as well. In fact, it's argued that after the '81 tour, the band was never the same and they are now just a vegas act (but please, let's not start up THAT argument again). I have to disagree though. Sure, since 1989 they have had the backing musicians, but they can still turn out some hot performances. And they have! The Voodoo Lounge tour in 1994 was the first without Bill, they got rid of Matt Clifford, and dropped one of the backing vocalists. So since 1994, it's pretty much been the same lineup as it is now, so let's start with that year. Dont the "recent" performances out. Let's pick out some of the highlights since then.

A few of mine...

Satisfaction
St. Louis
1997
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Probbaly my favorite live version of this song ever. The way the anticipation builds as the darkened arena glows with the light coming from the big screen - and then *BAM*! The expolosion, and then Keith slowly walks forward out of the smoke wearing his long coat, and sunglasses playing the riff to this classic with one of the best guitar tones I have ever heard from him. Then Mick comes out singing those famous lines. The song continues at a steady pace and then it's time for Keith's solo's and I swear to you, it's one of the best solo's I have ever heard him play. Like I mentioned above, perfect guitar tone, and he just picks the perfect notes to play. Perfect speed, everything. The song continues jamming until it comes crashing to the end. If you havn't heard this version, you must. If you have, well, revisit it!

Gimme Shelter
Paradiso
1995
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As much as Mick Taylor added to this song, this version is the greatest version I have ever heard. Keith with yet another great guitar tone, and perfect weaving between him and Ronnie. Lisa's voice is in fine shape as usual, and her and Mick just sing with such intensity. This version is a little slower than other live versions of it (don't get the wrong idea though, it's not like it's THAT much different) - but if anything, it adds to it. So sludgy sounding and great.

Midnight Rambler
MSG
2003
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I am referring to HBO show version. This version proves to anyone that the argument the band is too old is just stupid. The whole song is a treat (as usual) and there are a few special moments. I love during one point when Keith (it's cool when he looks up), Ronnie, and Daryl all stand in a line next to eachother in front of Charlie with Mick in front and they just look like a band. Not that they don't any other time, but their all so close there. Then, I love that slow jam they do before the "Heard about da Boston" part. During that part, Ronnie plays a series of bends and Keith smiles and nods his head in approval. That's nice to see. Then the fast part towards the end just sounds so intense. When they go into it from the slower part, it can really make you feel something.

Wild Horses
Toshiba Studios
1995
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Not really a live recording, in the sense that it isn't performed in front of an audience, but it's played all in one take in a "live setting" in the studio. Perfect acoustic guitar from Keith and great vocals from Mick. He is able to sound pretty similar to how he did on the original '71 version. Great harmonies in the chorus. Would love to see the song performed like this on stage.

Street Fighting Man
New Jersey
1994
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I've always loved this version. If you have the video/dvd of this, it's also cool to watch. Ronnie starts it off with Mick creeping across the stage and then Keith comes in playing his riff and it kicks the whole thing up. Nice version, and they even mess up a little in the middle. But they just laugh it off and keep going. Hell, it didn't even sound that bad. Then there's a really cool jam at the end. Keith shows the how powerful rhythm guitar can be. There's a really cool riff he plays when he's face to face with Daryl at one point. Then it all comes to end with Mick and Ron cracking up.


These are just a few. There are more. I decided I wanted to give the "modern era" some more attention because I tend to focus on the "golden years". So I've been playing some more recent concerts, and they aren't bad! If you really listen there are some great moments in there.

I would put a version of "Night Time" there, as well as Midnight Rambler from this tour with better guitar sound. Furthermore, As Tears Go By and Rain Fall Down.


Belgrade-Bucharest-Budapest-Brno

the whole 1999 tour was a serious highlight.the 95 european tour also.Too many people on this forum complain about them live these days.I saw Rio on the big screen and was blowed away by ONNYA,it took me by suprise.The Voodoo tour had a great setlists that only got better in 95...B2B,we got Little Queenie,Sister Morphine,Respectable,what is there to say but great tour..

I forgot to mention the small show's on the Lick's tour. that made all the long long time fans very happy.

Some of my favorites:

All Down The Line from the LARS single - Paradiso '95, maybe?

Out Of Control from Buenos Aires (No Sec. version) or MSG '98 (promo version)

Saint Of Me - St. Louis, '97

Jumpin' Jack Flash - any of the No Security openers

Before They Make Me Run - Voodoo At Halloween

I Got The Blues - London '99

Can't You Hear Me Knockin' - I'd say MSG '03, but Keith flubs the riff between verses. The Live Licks version, then - what was that, Los Angeles?

Its All Over Now - Voodoo Miami
Black Limousine - 1995
Play With Fire - 1989
Loving Cup - MSG 2002
She's So Cold - 2005
As Tears Go By - 2006
Some Girls - 1999
You Got The Silver - 1999
Brand New Car -1999
Flip the Switch - 1997

Just listed some without specific dates. Sure there are some I forgot.

Live With Me live in 95 0r 99 blows away the live versions from 69 anyday!! You Got the Silver'Memphis99...Sister Morphine..Nashville97..If You Can't Rock Me MSG, non-broadcast show..Loving Cup Nashville 2002,to name a few..Also She Smiled Sweetly from Roseland Ballroom 2002!

I'm really gonna miss these guys when their gone

I liked Heart of stone very much (why didn't they play that great song more frequently?), and I was impressed by Moon is up (Shepherd's Bush 1999).

You guys listed some great ones. Since I think the 1989 - 2006 shows are the better than the 1963 - 1982 shows, I could list a lot more great live performances.
Examples: I Got the Blues (Hartford '99), Crazy Momma (Edmonton '97), The Last Time (St. Louis '97), Sympathy for the Devil (Paris '98), Honkey Tonk Women (St. Louis '97).

"make up your mind, 'cause I gotta go"

sister morphine from no security is one of the best!

Can't You Hear Me Knocking - MSG 2003.
Get Of My Cloud - The bootleg Casino Boogie 1999.

JumpingKentFlash

I think the SFTD version from st louis 97 is amazing! Perfect guitars! In fact this show was really special. Last Time and Satisfaction are awesome too.

The whole Circus Krone theater show!

rknuth Wrote:
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> The whole Circus Krone theater show!


How good is th quality of that boot???

JumpingKentFlash

JumpingKentFlash Wrote:
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> rknuth Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The whole Circus Krone theater show!
>
>
> How good is th quality of that boot???

really good sounds quality. as for the performance, well, it has some highlights, but that evening's version of SCB would more likely end up on a Worst of Live: 1994-2006.

Oh you must listen to SCB from the Swedish club gig. Mick is completely off beat in the first verse, but the show is a riot. Is the boot from Crystal Cat since it's so good...

JumpingKentFlash

yeah, i've heard that! good show, but wow SCB was @#$%& up!

Was Munich a Crystal Cat???

JumpingKentFlash

The version of Out of Control from No Security is quite special, especially the twin guitar assault in the latter part of the song

Lots of great moments listed above, which I'd agree with. The belief that the Stones havent been able to cut it as a live act for decades is a ludicrous myth

My favourite visual moment (and its a great performance too) of that era would be Little Queenie on that b-stage in BA in '98 and watching that crowd going absolutely nuts, with the entire band (even Charlie) getting visibily caught up by their enthusiasm - and the first time they used the b-stage idea, in Miami 94. What a great surprise that was, and beautifully done too.

My favourite single performance of any song from this tour has been Dead Flowers from Houston. A song they always do very well, but the whole band smokes on this one, with Mick's singing reaching new levels.

For some reason ,Midnight Rambler from Saitama is full of serious energy.At times during that version you wonder..62,63,64,years old ,NO WAY'

Gazza Wrote:
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> My favourite visual moment (and its a great
> performance too) of that era would be Little
> Queenie on that b-stage in BA in '98 and watching
> that crowd going absolutely nuts, with the entire
> band (even Charlie) getting visibily caught up by
> their enthusiasm.


Yes. And don't forget the great Queenie from the Double Door '97. Full 'o @#$%& ups, but great in every way.

JumpingKentFlash

yes thats a priceless performance. I love that show. And all for $7 a ticket, too

You were thee I reckon?

JumpingKentFlash

Wild Horses from Saitama - wonderful, wonderful singing with subtle inflections, the normal melody being reshaped a little more from verses to verses. The guitars don't do much, but that fits well, the song feels tighter and less cheesy this way and - yes, yes - Chuck plays some very nice licks.


Miss You from Bangalore 2003 - Everybody soloing throughout the end, glorious groove, Mick very moving (whereas today he sure doesn't seem to be missing anyone, singing much too forcefully), the sond regains all its disco-meets-blues glory.

Sympathy for the Devil, MSG 2002 (HBO). The whole band smokes, guitars play slow but groovy and sleazy - and the way Mick sings "hope you guess my name", different every time, love the last one: "(downwards) hope you guess my (upwards) NAME" - brilliant.