Exile on Main Street

Regarded as one of the greatest albums in rock 'n' roll history and one of the most defining of the Stones' catalogue. Upon its release more than three decades ago, 'Exile on Main Street' innovatively wove varying musical genres, instruments and even artists into a compelling rhythmic masterpiece. The original 18-track double-album was recorded in various stages at multiple locations, including Olympic Studios in London, Keith Richard's mansion Nellcote in France, and in Los Angeles where the literal "Main Street" influenced the album title. These atypical circumstances surrounding the recording process greatly affected the album's outcome which was highly reflective and influenced by the sociopolitical turbulence that marked the late `60s and early `70s. The Stones nixed the influences of a flower-child era and directed their creative process with the edgier, excessive, "more is more" approach of the `70s. Exile reveals a sprawling mix of genres with undertones of blues, country, R&B and gospel mixed with lyrics that fervently demand for release and liberation. The 2-CD version is a 3-panel digi-pak, 2xCDs with a 12 page booklet. The Digipak is printed in reverse board double white to keep an 'uncoated' feel like the original LP release. The 2nd disc features 10 tracks originally recorded during the Exile era including 'Plundered My Soul', 'Dancing in the Light', 'Following the River' and 'Pass The Wine' plus alternate versions of 'Soul Survivor' and 'Loving Cup'. read more..

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Exile is Great! by King Bee
Exile on Main St. is a GREAT album. I also like most of the bonus tracks too, though Jagger's vocals sound too forced, especially on Plundered My Soul and Following the River. (Just sing, Mick. Don't try to cram everything you've learned about being a vocalist for the past forty five years into a four minute song). Keith does a nice job on the alternate take of Soul Survivor, sounding elegantly wasted. Also, Good Time Women, the forerunner of Tumbling Dice is a real highlight. If there has ever been an album from a British band that captures the underbelly of America, particulary the South, it is Exile, both lyrically and musically. You feel and smell the sweltering heat of Black churches at one hundred plus degrees(Just Wanna See His Face, Let it Loose). Boogying at dance halls (Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips). Country/Blues on a hot, Southern night (Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed). Smokey, booze drenched saloons with loose women ( Ventilator Blues, Stop Breaking Down). The entire album is an experience. Is it the Stones best? I guess it depends on the mood I'm in at the time. Sometime I think Beggars Banquet is their best. Other times, Sticky Fingers. But Exile ranks near the top. Mick Taylor really shines. A great lead and slide player. Though I am a bit befuddled when some people say he is a superior player than Keith. On lead, yes he is. Mick T. is a classic, fluid, virtuoso. But Keith has never tried to go that route . His great rhythm and riffs have driven the Stones for years. His intro's on Rocks Off and All Down the Line are pure Keith. Could Mick T. have handled those chords? Sure. Would he have thought of them in the first place? Probably not. Keith is great at being Keith, and that is all that matters. And what would the Stones be without Charlie Watts on drums? Charlie has always said that he plays the song. And that is true more than ever on Exile. Now, I'd like to comment on a more trivial matters, but ones that bug me nonethless. And that is the packaging of the deluxe CD, especially the credits on disc one. On the original album released in 1972, several musicians other than Bill Wyman were given bass credits on more than half the album. In interviews over the years, Bill W. has stated that mistakes were made on at least two tracks, All Down the Line and Shine a Light, in which Bill Plummer and Mick T. were given credit, respectfully, when it was actually Bill, and he is superb on both of them. Still, there were several other tracks that had Ketth and the others, including Happy, Tumbling Dice, Rip this Joint, etc. Nothing against Bill W. I've always liked him, felt he was underrated, and at times, underappreciated, and felt it was a shame that his bass playing was at times hijacked by Keith R., Mick T., Ron W.,and others. But on disc one of the reissue, every track has a bass credit for Bill W. Some tracks have as many as three bass credits. (Just Wanna See His Face) Also, some tracks have horn credits, when no horns were played, such as Shine a Light, and Black Angel, to name two. I also never understood why there were so many photos of Mick J. on the front and inside of the album, and so few of the others. I realize Mick has always been the front man, but come on! There were four other members at the time. Just had to get those few things off my chest. Exile on Main St. is and always will be about the music. How does it make you feel? I just listened to it for the umpteenth time as I'm writing this, and I feel great.