The endless Stones debate. I can't say any era is better than another. I grew
up with the original albums starting with the first one, so I got no problem
with everything on Decca. I chased down all those import only singles as they
came out. Flowers is one of those mysteries. So many people rate that one
highly. It does have great songs, and a couple of unique ones. To me it's just
a throw together. Beggars does come close to perfection and has held up well.
I'm pretty partial to Aftermath and Buttons. I remember going in to Sherman
Clay to see if they had Aftermath yet. The guy smiled cracked the box open and
said "you're the first one in San Jose with that one." The Chocolate Watchband
probably had an import for weeks. I've been slowly replacing all my cds with
those spiffy new ones.

Ya-Yas! Having seen them on that tour twice, I sort of like it, and it probably
is the best of all their live albums. How many are there? I was at the show
that was booted as Liver Than You'll Ever Be and also Altamont. The latter
ruining the Stones for me for a few years, at least until Some Girls. I
couldn't even go to a big gig for years, so I missed them in '71 or '72 when
they played Winterland.

I recently transferred a bit of film Deniz Tek had done at the Sydney Race
Track in 1972. He had a tape of the same gig, so we were able to sort of match
it up. Either way it's a gas. He got right up in front, but only had 8 minutes
of film.

These days I'm a little more charitable towards It's Only Rock And Roll, Black
And Blue and Goat's Head. I thought they hit their stride with Some Girls and
didn't let up until Steel Wheels (which actually has some good songs)

Bobby, I'm a big Mick Taylor fan too. Saw him with John Mayall at a famous gig
at Winterland: Hendrix, Mayall, Albert King, and the Soft Machine. Wish I had a
tape of that one. He really did have his own sound. The set I saw was not
unlike those Diary Of A Band lps. Just with out all the fooling around! Too bad
he's lost the thread since. Well I take that back. His short stint with Jack
Bruce is stunning. I have some tapes that will knock you out. The BBC session
that came out a few years ago isn't bad at all. There is another live album
coming out this spring as part of the Jack Bruce reissue series. I need it.

RS



Robert Sutliff wrote:

> What a can of worms!
>
> My favorite Stones disc is Get Your Ya-Yas out so what do I know. As for
> Satanic Majesties being better than Sgt. Pepper - well, I don't think either
> disc is that magnificent, but certainly Satanic Majesties would never have
> existed without Sgt. Pepper. Beggars Banquet is pure genius though - much
> better Sticky Fingers I reckon. Still, the 69-74 version of the Stones
> remains my favorite. Mick Taylor was a huge influence on my guitar playing
> and certainly the band went to crap after he left.
>
> Saw 'em in 72 - wow!!!
>
> Bobby Sutliff
>
>

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