Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. & Show # 920

 

 

Released in May of 1972, The Rolling Stones album Exile On Main St. was recorded at a time when there was a lot of tension and change going on in the world of The Rolling Stones. Having moved to France due to a new tax on high earners in England, they became literal exiles in France. They also left their record label being entangled with publishing rights issues and in general thee was a constant influx of hangers on at the villa (where they would record Exile), there was also a growing disparity within the band member’s personal lives. Musically there are elements of blues, soul, gospel, country and rock music. The recording of the album began in 1969, but when the band relocated to France in 1971 they began the search for a studio to record in. Having trouble finding something that was suitable for them, it was decided that they would set up their mobile recording truck outside of Keith Richards villa named Nellcote and record in the basement rooms there. The sessions were described as loose, disorganized and as stated by bassist Bill Wyman, not that glamorous. Recording stretched out into irregular hours in the days and nights that followed commencing with some overdubs that were done at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. A lot of the time not all of the band were present on the recordings, since the sessions were so loose, sometimes certain people wouldn’t be there when they were recording. All this adds to the albums mystique and overall aesthetic.

“Rocks Off” starts off with a Keith Richards guitar riff and a snare hit by drummer Charlie Watts before a tambourine leads us into the beginning moments of this album before the song kicks in. As great as an opener as there could be for an album, “Rocks Off” is sleazy, greasy and captures the undeniable essence of the band. In between horn stabs from the horn section featuring Bobby Keys and Jim Price, Jagger sings with tension, chaos and of the rock and roll lifestyle. There is even a psychedelic breakdown around the 2-minute mark. “Rip This Joint” ups the tempo with rave up rockabilly sounds featuring a slightly altered Stones lineup. Bill Plummer plays an upright bass along with the rest of the Stones including pianist Nicky Hopkins who plays a Johnnie Johnson styled piano part. As Jagger sings the story that takes place across America from an outsiders perspective, this song is also said to be the blue print for future proto punk and punk bands with its breakneck speeds. The Rolling Stones version of Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips” comes next with a 50s rock influence, blues and undeniable swagger. “Casino Boogie” rolls with a blues and boogie rhythm feel while the abstract lyrics that pull in different meanings such as “Million dollar sad” were done using William Burroughs cut up technique. Random words were written on torn up pieces of paper, mixed up and then picked out one by one by the band members. The order that is present on the song is the same order that was picked during this process. “Tumbling Dice” is another standout track on this album. With its unusual blues rhythms and lyrics such as “Baby, I can't stay/You got to roll me/And call me the tumblin' dice/Always in a hurry/I never stop to worry/Don't you see the time flashin' by,” Jagger crafts a story of an unfaithful gambler. This track also features Charlie Watts overdubbing drums over his existing drums giving them a bigger sound.

Side two starts off with “Sweet Virginia.” A hazy country track, carried by Charlie Watts cardboard sounding shuffle rhythm, the lyrics are ripe with vivid imagery that have been said to be influenced by Gram Parsons, drug use and the debaucherous atmosphere that surrounded the sessions. With words such as “Trying to stop the waves behind your eyeballs,” “Yes I’ve got the desert in my toenail,” and “Thank you for your wine, California/Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits,” the song isn’t so literal as some might think. The song seems to present an over arching theme of getting through hard times when you’re down and out. “Torn and Frayed” sounds exactly as the title suggests. Mixing elements of soul, gospel and country the song follows the thread of the frayed coat of a musician that lives life on the road and is a look into the less glamorous moments of being a rock star. “Sweet Black Angel” features country, blues and world music rhythms while the lyrics are of a political nature and about civil rights activist Angela Davis. The piano driven rough, yet tender love ballad “Loving Cup” arrives next. Another highlight on this album, the song had its beginnings during the 1969 recording sessions for Let It Bleed. The song “Happy” is sung by guitarist Keith Richards. The song was written pretty much on the spot in a few hours. Since not all of the band members were around a the time, the song was recorded with producer Jimmy Miller on drums and Richards on vocals, guitar and bass. Guitar overdubs were later added by second guitarist Mick Taylor along with backing vocals by Jagger (in addition to some horn section overdubs from Bobby Keys and Jim Price). This song went on to be a top 40 single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1972. “Turd On The Run” is not always liked by some Stones for some reason. Perhaps it is the title, but this is another great gem found among the gritty 18 songs that make up Exile On Main St. With its swampy blues rhythm, murky sounding at times humorous lyrics, this track was apparently sped up from the original recording to give it an unusual hectic sound.

“Ventilator Blues” features one of the few songwriting credits by guitarist Mick Taylor. This swampy blues number is indebted to Chess Records blues artists, soul music and has a title that was influenced by the lack of ventilation in the basement where they were recording. Since they were using a mobile recording unit outside and the weather in France at the time was quite warm, instruments were often going out of tune due to the heat and malfunctioning equipment. In the case of this song, they got some strange noises according to Richards and decided to leave it in. Lyrically dealing with the frustrations of life the song shows someone feeling the pressures of life closing in and evaporating around them. It provides no clear answers, but asks questions as it seeks some kind of ventilation or release from these frustrations. “Let It Loose” is a gospel inspired soul ballad. This emotionally charged song contains blues influences along with lyrics such as “Bit off more than I can chew/And I knew/Yeah I know what it was leading to,” and "In the bar you're getting drunk/whoa yeah yeah/Ain't in love, ain't in lust/whoa no no no” about a relationship that the character knows won’t last and can’t be maintained. “All Down The Line” starts of the fourth side of Exile On Main St. A more straight forward rock song with greasy blues spots throughout, lyrics such as “Well you can't say yes and you can't say no/Just be right there when the whistle blows/I need a sanctified mind to help me out right now,” seem to be looking forward while still being in the moment of chaos that surrounded them at the time. “All Down The Line” drives the Stones and Exile On Main St. into existential territory.

“Stop Breaking Down” comes next. A cover a song originally by Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, this song is reinterpreted with slide guitar from Mick Taylor, choppy blues guitar from Mick Jagger, harmonica, piano and an all around greasy groove from The Rolling Stones. Lyrically, this song even being a cover by Robert Johnson, takes on a new meaning here when redone by The Rolling Stones. “Shine A Light” is a soulful gospel influenced ballad that had its beginnings in 1969 when members of the band were working with Leon Russell. The song was originally about Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, but the lyrics were changed following his death. Featuring piano and organ by Billy Preston, drums by producer Jimmy Miller, bass and lead guitar from Mick Taylor, guitar from Richards and vocals from Jagger, this powerful song has words dealing with hope and despair. “Soul Survivor” ends Exile On Main St. This mid-tempo deep cut, displays The Stones in their element. Featuring lyrics such as “I'll stowaway at sea, yeah/Ya make me mutiny/Where you are I won't be/You're gonna be the death of me” and “I’m a soul survivor,” this song encapsulates a strength and spirit to rise above adversity. 

While there was a lot of recording done during this time, Exile On Main St. was put together in a way that many feel captures the essence of rock and roll music and is The Rolling Stones at their best and most creative. When describing the album art that makes up Exile On Main St.’s cover, frontman Mick Jagger stated that it shows a “feeling of joyful isolation, grinning in the face of a scary and unknown future.” And while those themes do present themselves on this album, along with outlaw blues related themes, Exile On Main St. also features more universal themes. Musically the album seamlessly blends all the elements of rock and roll music up to that point in 1971 and beyond. With Exile On Main St, The Rolling Stones proved that sometimes even when exiled from everything you know you can find yourself.  

Rolling Stones Exile On Main St. Playlist:

1. The Rolling Stones - Title 5 (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
2. The Rolling Stones - I'm Going Down (Outtake) Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album
3. The Rolling Stones - Rocks Off (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
4. The Rolling Stones - Rip This Joint (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
5. The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips (Live) (The Montreux Rehearsals)
6. The Rolling Stones - Casino Boogie (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
7. The Rolling Stones - Tumblin' Dice (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
8. The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virginia (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
9. The Rolling Stones - Torn and Frayed (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
10. The Rolling Stones - Sweet Black Angel (Instrumental Version) (Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album - Red Tongue Records - 2012)
11. The Rolling Stones - Loving Cup (Alternate Take) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
12. The Rolling Stones - Happy (Live) (Ladies & Gentleman: The Rolling Stones (Live 1972) - Rolling Stones Records/Eagle Vision - 2010)
13. The Rolling Stones - Turd On The Run (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
14. The Rolling Stones - Ventilator Blues (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
15. The Rolling Stones - I Just Want To See His Face (Exile On Main St. - Rolling Stones Records - 1972)
16. The Rolling Stones - Let It Loose (Instrumental Version) (Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album - Red Tongue Records - 2012) 
17. The Rolling Stones - All Down The Line (Alternate Version) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
18. The Rolling Stones - Stop Breaking Down (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 1972/2010)
19. The Rolling Stones - Shine A Light (Alternate Version) Exile On Main St: The Real Alternate Album
20. The Rolling Stones - Soul Survivor (Alternate Version) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
21. The Rolling Stones - Good Time Women (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
22. The Rolling Stones - I'm Not Signifying (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)
23. The Rolling Stones - So Divine (Aladdin Story) (Exile On Main St: Deluxe Edition - Rolling Stones Records/Universal Music - 2010)

To hear this program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and click the February 5 file to download/stream the episode.