I'm curious for everyone's opinion on this great Stones song. It has been written that Mick wanted this track to be the first single from Exile and that it was truly a Rolling Stones rocker in the same mindsight of Brown Sugar and Bitch release a year before.

Done live it is even better, although it depends upon which live version you like. My personal favorite is the '72 show in Philly. Although there may be better recordings, i.e. Brussels in '73 and later, this is one is the best with Mick T. Ronnie's version in '78 was good and very uptempo and the recent version from ABB has been quite good as Ronnie's slide playing usually scores here. This is not a debate about Mick T and RW, but more so as a band what version do you think is their best and what specific show. Thanks.

if Exile is rock & roll scripture, All Down the Line is the creed - the decalogue - the declaration of the faith.
i don't do rankings/favourites, but the 78 renditions leap to mind as being mighty mighty fine.

'72 is my all-time favorite tour, but the version on Handsome Girls
ranks right up there with anything they have ever done.

In recent tours I've noticed Mick now sings a lower part in the chorus, leaving the high notes to the backing singers. Not a criticism, just an observation.

I'm listening to it on Handsome Girls right now. It doesn't get any better than this.

teleblaster Wrote:
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> In recent tours I've noticed Mick now sings a
> lower part in the chorus, leaving the high notes
> to the backing singers. Not a criticism, just an
> observation.


That and a gazillion other songs. He's been doing this more and more each tour, since 1981 (certain parts of Let's Spend the Night Together, When the WHip, etc)

Sometimes it sounds okay, some don't. ie, I like what he did with 'Sway' on '05, but I'm not crazy about how he's been doing 'Rocks Off' since '94.

What I DO like is when he surprises me by NOT cheating (ie - Worried About You in '02 & '05). Sadly, these last two tours give us a 'one-octave Mick' for entire shows, more and more.

Their version in Atlantic City, November 2006 was killer. Blew me right off my feet.

Saw this one in Hershey 10 /2006 it was great !!

It´s very nice to play on guitar, on open G, of course. The acoustic version is nice too. But, for a spanish speaking like me, can you explain what does really mean "all down the line"?

The studio version is ok for me, not more, not less.
Live-racordings of this song aren't too interesting for me and so I wasn't too exalted as they played the first notes of it in Munich last year. But for being the best live-band ever, I liked it very much. Good live-number, if they play it anywhere in the middle of the set.

IMO the quintessential live "Exile" version is MSG 7/26/72. Everything they played before or after, no matter how good, is a variation.

>> can you explain what does really mean "all down the line"? <<

since i subscribe to the school of thought that the Stones can use the word line without meaning drugs,
to me it's part of the train metaphor: a train line is the route that a train travels.
so it comes out to something like "along the entire route we're travelling".
does that help?

No need to dig in the past. There are times when I listen to the version they played in Zurich 06 and I just can't believe it was ... 2006! Just listen to how Charlie kicks in ... special mention to DJ: here the diesel drumming! A very good friend of mine, a professional musician but not a stonefan, could not believe it either. "This is them? The stones? 63 YEARS OLD??!!!"

Chelsea, if you hear me: what the "Won't you be my little baby for a while?" outro? Pure extasy!

C

It's too bad the Frisco '05 show I have is only an audience show - because ADTL on it sounds as good as the 1995 'Like A Rolling Stone' b-side!

The studio version is AMAZING, too. It's a killer track!

(I can't believe it needs to be defended!!!)

ive always liked All down the line. I like the exile version and I consider it one of their top live songs. the first live version i heard was the B -side to like a rolling stone and It blew me away.

I prefer the handsome girls version



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-02-21 20:53 by ryanpow.

It's one of the main reasons why I like this band. Got into a bit of a pissing match with some guy on this board last week who claimed Rough Justice was just as good...

I think I remember someone saying that rough justice would fit in if it was played back to back with AdTL. I agree with that, but I wouldnt say that RJ is just as good as adtl. thats taking it too far.

pmk251 Wrote:
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> IMO the quintessential live "Exile" version is MSG
> 7/26/72. Everything they played before or after,
> no matter how good, is a variation.

I agree.This version cooks- like a freight train going ADTL.Originally, I had this boot on Vinyl titled "Happy Birthday Mick" I think. THe MT guitars were strong but a bit overpowering in the mix. About 3 years ago, I picked up a remixed CD of this concert and WOW every note fits into place like a well oiled engine.

with sssoul Wrote:
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> if Exile is rock & roll scripture, All Down the
> Line is the creed - the decalogue - the
> declaration of the faith.
>
amen amen. this one has everything; i adore it.

Raoul Duke Wrote:
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> It's one of the main reasons why I like this band.
> Got into a bit of a pissing match with some guy on
> this board last week who claimed Rough Justice was
> just as good...

Lucky thing we have you here to make the unique and original and utterly shocking case that "All Down The Line" is a great tune. Thanks for that.

If I need info on Pink Floyd--or on horsemeat--I'm sure that you'll be able to furnish it.

Best version I think is NYC 26/7/72. Mick's vocals are shot but the rest of the song rocks! Also, BBJ & RTJ have never been performed better.

Glass Slide Wrote:
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> '72 is my all-time favorite tour, but the version
> on Handsome Girls
> ranks right up there with anything they have ever
> done.


took the words right out of my mouth . . . er, fingers.

a true warhorse that never was.

also, the highlight of last november's Dodger Stadium show. (ronnie was a monster!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-02-21 23:08 by Forty Niks.

I agree the NYC 7/26 version is a killer. I saw them in Hershey in '05 as well and this song was one of the best played that night and I have listened to the boot recently.

The versions with Ronnie seem a little, uh, hollow, maybe not the right word, but not full in your face rock like the versions with MT. I will agree the versions on Handsome Girls from '78 are terrific and it worked well then early in the set. It worked well early in the set in Baltimore in '06. Unfortunately, it was followed by a weak starting Love Is Strong.

> Lucky thing we have you here to make the unique
> and original and utterly shocking case that "All
> Down The Line" is a great tune. Thanks for that.
>
> If I need info on Pink Floyd--or on horsemeat--I'm
> sure that you'll be able to furnish it.


Rude much?

Rude, Rude, Rude, I wish I was nude.

ryanpow Wrote:
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> Rude, Rude, Rude, I wish I was nude.


work on your subjuntives, young man. that should be "Were"

yeah, Ive got your subjunctive right here

Seriously though, I thought he was being kind of a wenis.

i like how in 75 and 78 it was played at the top of the sets.Ronnies playing in atlantic city last year on it was fantastic

> Rude much?

JaggerFan:

Go find the background. Know whereof you speak.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-02-22 00:52 by Rev. Robert W..