Well, just got back from Budapest...
svendborg wrote:
"Reading the reviews of the show here...well one should think that people have witnessed totally different shows. Some say it's worst performance ever others that I was great!!!What should I believe? Don't think I wanna read anymore reviews before I go to the concert in August."
Nothing unusual, svendborg. I remember people having completely different opinions about Stones gigs since middle seventies! You know, after all it's a matter of taste.
My opinion: The Stones rocked, once again...
(A) THE BAND MUSICALLY/ ÌY IMPRESSIONS SONG BY SONG:
START ME UP: excellent loud opener, as usual. High energy.
YOU GOT ME ROCKING: sloppy Keith’s intro, the rest of the song much better.
ROUGH JUSTICE: Keith became “victim” of his own haste. Á haste that was obvious during the first songs. His intro- mistake on RJ affected the whole band’s performance, for a while. But only shortly… Ronnie’s job was the “key” for the clear song’s recovery.
RUBY TUESDAY: nice, solid version
YCAGWYW: Great version, nice Ronnie’s solo
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER: Mick seemed to be a bit startled by Keith’s haste (yes, once again!). Keith started playing fine, but he did it early. Mick had just started playing harmonica and he obviously was proposing to play it a bit longer, but, hey, one – two minutes later band’s good team work made “Rambler” the well known bursting song…
I’LL GO CRAZY: Lisa’s time…Nothing more, nothing less
TUMBLING DICE: It was almost faultless. In addition, it was the starting post for Keith’s real betterment.
YOU GOT THE SILVER: very good Ronnie’s play, very emotional Keith’s singing.
I WANNA HOLD YOU: Just OK on the first part, better on the second part.
MISS YOU: Well, i know many people want to kill me for saying that…Well, even me hate to saying that as i NEVER liked this song (believe me, when listen to Some Girls album i’m starting from #2 track)… But… But, ladies and gentlemen, this was best song’s version i have heard in years. The reason? Guitars much more louder and “mellow” than the usual, on this…
IORR: IMO on the entire ABB tour the song does sound really strong and the particular gig just confirmed this “rule”. Nice Keith’s solo.
SATISFACTION: strange, unusual Keith’s intro. Although i love “different things”, especially on “classic” songs, personally i didn’t like it. But i liked Keith’s solo. It was an welcome “reparation” to me…
HONKY TONK WOMEN, SFTD, PAINT IT BLACK: strongly played, good Keith’s solos on HTW and SFTD.
JUMPING JACK FLASH: Almaost perfect!
ÂÑÏWÍ SUGAR: not the best version i have heard, but not an weak one.
(
IN GENERAL TERMS, WHAT I LIKED AS FOR BAND’S PERFORMANCE:
Their solid elements: Çigh energy, high standards, good team spirit... The Stones i love are still the Stones i see and hear!
( C ) IN GENERAL TERMS, WHAT I DESLIKED AS FOR BAND’S PERFORMANCE:
In general terms? Actually, nothing... If i was taking three- four weak moments or three sloppy Keith’s intros on an entire Stones concert to heart, then i would have bad impressions even from 1981!
(D) AUDIENCE:
Really enthousiastic, from the first to the last concert’s minute. Remarkable number of young people.
(E) SPECIAL EMOTIONAL MOMENTS (TO ME)
Budapest gig was my girlfriend’s second Stones concert. She was in raptures! Now i’m sure: she is really a fan...
Thank you Budapest (BTW, what a city!). Thanks boys.