Indeed a great album, but their early stuff should not be discounted. Rock & rhythm and blues that appreciated the roots of their music before others. And Let It Bleed not too shabby…
Great article, Ty. But I still think you give too short shrift to a group of songs on Black and Blue, Tattoo You, Voodoo Lounge, Some Girls and Emotional Rescue. Not all perfect but some really good music on all of them.
I knew I'd stir the pot with this one, Jim! And I agree, there are good, arguably great, moments on all those later recordings. But they're all very self-conscious about being Stones songs. Whereas the greatness of "Exile" is its unselfconsciousness. It just IS.
Indeed a great album, but their early stuff should not be discounted. Rock & rhythm and blues that appreciated the roots of their music before others. And Let It Bleed not too shabby…
Great article, Ty. But I still think you give too short shrift to a group of songs on Black and Blue, Tattoo You, Voodoo Lounge, Some Girls and Emotional Rescue. Not all perfect but some really good music on all of them.
I knew I'd stir the pot with this one, Jim! And I agree, there are good, arguably great, moments on all those later recordings. But they're all very self-conscious about being Stones songs. Whereas the greatness of "Exile" is its unselfconsciousness. It just IS.
SPOT ON
I agree that Exile is one of their best. I have it all on my Amazon Music feed.