Been listening to some classic Rolling Stones lately. And while doing so, I ran across a couple of tunes that \u2013 though quite well known \u2013 qualify as rarities.<\/p>\n
You ask, \u201cHow is that possible?\u201d Read on \u2013 and yes, that means I\u2019m about to embark on another musical trivia \u201cwalkabout\u201d.<\/p>\n
. . . <\/b><\/p>\n
Brian Jones was the original leader of the Rolling Stones. But the man had problems, most of which appear to have been chemically-induced. His behavior became more extreme, and he became completely unreliable as a member of the band. So during the recording of their classic album Let It Bleed<\/i>, the Stones and Jones parted company \u2013 involuntarily. <\/p>\n
Simply put: the band fired Jones. Jones was found dead in his home\u2019s swimming pool less than a month later.<\/p>\n
Needing a replacement for Jones, the band hired a young Englishman named Mick Taylor. While much of Let It Bleed<\/i> had been recorded prior to Taylor\u2019s hiring, Taylor also contributed overdubs to two tracks on the album. This tune was the first of the two that Taylor recorded during those sessions.<\/p>\n
But things get even stranger. On the same tune, tenor saxophonist Bobby Keys<\/i><\/a> \u2013 who was to collaborate with the band from 1969 until his death in 2014, and who toured with them on the majority of their tours during that period \u2013 made his debut with the Stones. So the tune not only ushered in the dual-lead guitar phase of the band (where first Mick Taylor and later Ron Wood \u201ctraded guitar licks\u201d with Keith Richards); it also marked the introduction of brass and horns (especially sax) as prominent parts of the Stones\u2019 music.<\/p>\n The tune also reportedly is the only time that the Stones ever recorded with Leon Russell<\/i><\/a>. Russell and longtime Stones collaborator Nicky Hopkins each contributed piano to the tune.<\/p>\n Finally: the tune\u2019s lyrics also are somewhat, um, crude. As a result, the London Bach Choir \u2013 who recorded intro and backing vocals for the final track on Let It Bleed<\/i>, \u201cYou Can\u2019t Always Get What You Want,\u201d but which was actually the first tune from the album to be recorded \u2013 allegedly requested their contributions on Let It Bleed<\/i> not be credited.<\/p>\n So, we have a tune that simultaneously (1) features the studio debut of a founding member\u2019s replacement; (2) also features the debut of a second individual who would become a 45 year collaborator and touring musician with the band; (3) further features the band\u2019s sole collaboration with a musical legend; and (4) whose lyrics caused a contributor to a different song from the same album<\/i> to request their contribution be uncredited. In my book, that means the tune qualifies as a rarity.<\/p>\n The tune is named Live with Me<\/i><\/a>. It was never released as a single, but it\u2019s still found on many \u201cbest of\u201d lists concerning the Stones\u2019 catalog. It showcases the Stones in raucous, “rock and roll” mode.<\/p>\n Obligatory warning<\/u>: remember, it\u2019s the Rolling Stones. As I mentioned previously, it\u2019s possible you might find some of the lyrical content offensive. But you likely won\u2019t find this tune’s lyrics as offensive as those of this Stones\u2019 rarity I\u2019ve previously discussed<\/i><\/a>. (smile)<\/p>\n
\n