Keno's ROLLING STONES Web Site

BLACK AND BLUE
 

Released - 1976, Rolling Stones Records. Produced by The Glimmer Twins.

Personnel:

Mick Jagger - Lead and Backing Vocals, Percussion, Pianos, Rhythm Guitar on "Crazy Mama"
Keith Richards - Guitars, Piano, Backing Vocals, Bass on "Crazy Mama"
Bill Wyman - Bass and Percussion
Charlie Watts - Drums and Percussion
Ron Wood - Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar on "Hey Negrita" and "Cherry Oh Baby"

Additional Personnel:

Billy Preston, Harvey Mandel, Ollie Brown, Wayne Perkins, Nicky Hopkins, Ian Stewart.

(Click on song for lyrics and song personnel)

                                                          
REVIEW

This was the first Stones album that I remember not caring for when it came out in 1976. But in time I did warm up to it, still I'm not nuts over it, but it's okay. "Fool To Cry", "Crazy Mama" and "Memory Motel" are the best cuts on this one.

This is the first album release that Ron Wood was considered a official member, although he only plays guitar on two tracks.When Black n Blue  was being recorded, Ronnie was still a member of the Faces. One of my favorite guitar solos here is on "Hand Of Fate",  but its not Keith Richards who we hear playing, it's Wayne Perkins. Harvey Mandel plays a nice lead guitar on "Hot Stuff". Mandel and Perkins play the guitars for "Memory Hotel",  Keith plays electric piano along with Mick Jagger on concert piano.

Keith only plays lead guitar on one track, "Crazy Mama", a very hot riff I'll add, which makes you realize how much his guitar playing is missed here. The only problem with this song is that they should have played this with a faster beat, if so, it would have been that much stronger. So what's the reason Keith played so little guitar on this album? Well, they were looking for Mick Taylor's replacement during the B&B sessions, and auditions were held during those sessions, glad they picked Ronnie!

- Keno

*Old Ratings vs. New Ratings

The old ratings that you see here were from back in 1998 when I first rated the album for this site. Since time does change one's point of view, I decided to listen to and rate this album again, doing so in late 2005. Also note that I did not look at the old ratings from 1998 until after I placed my new ratings here.

To listen to some sound clips from BLACK AND BLUE or to buy it click here: Black n Blue

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