The Rolling Stones are wrapping up their Hackney Diamonds US run. It’s yet another successful tour in the books. It’s uncertain whether any of the shows from this tour will be released on any audio or video formats. Regardless, there’s no shortage of live vinyl albums, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays of past tours from the group.
For decades, the band has put out live releases from far in the past and some from very recent tours. There have been live releases from intimate clubs and even huge stadiums. Since Bill Wyman left the group in January of 1993, there have been many releases and now since the passing of Charlie Watts in August of 2021, there have been others.
While Steve Jordan has filled in admirably for Watts, being able to get a new live Stones release from the band when Watts was still in the group is more than welcome. Getting one from a concert hall is even better. Such is the case with this new release recoded at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. It is actually another official bootleg release, from a series that began in 2011 and now includes 24 releases, with three that are part of the From the Vault Collection. Prior to the series, there were 10 live Stones albums and concurrently with these official bootlegs, another three live albums. The vinyl version of this release is a real winner with 20 songs spread out over three albums.
From tour to tour there are set lists that include certain staples, but the songs performed for a given tour that were added or dropped are what make these official bootleg live releases so much fun. Some of the more interesting choices here are “Hand of Fate” (Black and Blue), “Dance Part 1” (Emotional Rescue), “Stray Cat Blues” (Beggars Banquet), and a cover of “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” with guest Solomon Burke adding vocals.
It’s great hearing Bobby Keys on sax on this set. This is one of many official bootleg recordings that includes Keys, who passed away in 2014. Also part of this particular support group are the unbeatable backing vocal trio of Bernard Fowler, Lisa Fischer, and Blondie Chaplin. Darryl Jones has been the longtime rock-solid bass replacement for Bill Wyman and Chuck Leavell has been on keyboards since their 1982 European tour.
The package is a gatefold, three-LP vinyl set, with the records pressed in Germany, making for superb sound. The fact that the 20 songs are spread over six sides, is part of the reason this set sounds so good. There is no groove cramming and the most amount of tracks put on one side is four.
Even with so many personnel changes through the years, the Stones just keep on rolling. These live albums are a testament to the staying power of their songs and their peerless live chops.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B
