The Rolling Stones - Black and Blue. You may have noticed that my blog's title page record album has changed. I hope you like, becuase I think that photo will be up there for a while. It's perfect: a great inner album photo, a classic record, and an awesome band. I am reading the Keith Richards books and liking it very much. The best part of Black and Blue is that it was recorded on and with the use of Ian Stewart's famed Moblie Studio. Like a van, with tape machines and mixers in it. The mobile recording studio was driven to Munich, Mortige, Rotterdam, Casino, and Montreaux. Produced by Glyn Johns, Billy Preston plays on it, and it was Ronnie Wood's official debut. Released in 1976, their first studio album with Ronnie Wood in as Mick Taylor's replacement. Before this Ronnie played 12-string acoustic guitar on "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)." In his book Keith recalls heading to Munich to make it when Mick Taylor said he was quitting the band.
The photo at left is it. If it could talk! From 1970 to 1990 these records were made using it: Led Zeppelin III, Sticky Fingers, Led Zeppelin IV, Machine Head, Exile on Main St., Houses of the Holy, Penguin and Mystery To Me - Fleetwood Mac, Burn - Deep Purple, Physical Graffiti, Run with the Pack - Bad Company, and Moonflower - Santana. To name a few.
All those classic albums made in that mobile studio? That friggin' studio ought to be in the Smithsonian (or British equivalent)!
ReplyDeleteSpencer
Great post! However there are people who believe that Some Girls was really Ronnie Wood's breakout party and not this one. He only played guitar on 3 of the tracks and sang backup on a few more. When they went in and cut Some Girls he really had his chance to put his stamp on a Stones album. But he made the cover of this one so I think that stands for something.
ReplyDeleteGreat album, great post, thanks!