The Rolling Stones at their very, very best.
"But at heart, I was much more of a Rolling Stones guy. As a teenager I didn’t really examine the “why” of that … I mean at that age who cares or wants to know why, other than your parents really."
December 7th, Welcome to “Fantastic-Fridays” here on the Live Vinyl Lovefest. The day of the week where I honor the greatest live albums of all time. Today in honor of The Rolling Stones announcing their latest tour I am going to rewind all the way back to their second live album which is one of their most acclaimed. Today’s selection is The Rolling Stones “Get Your Ya-Ya’s Out!”
The tour that these recordings were captured from was the first for Mick Taylor who had replaced Brian Jones, just before Jone’s death. And of note, I’m pretty sure this was the last tour to feature JUST the Stones — including co-founder Ian Stewart — and not a host of backing musicians and singers. Also, I was surprised to discover that Ya-Ya’s was the first live album to ever reach number 1 in the U.K. charts. That's certainly note worthy. In hind sight it makes sense, but it surprised me none the less. I so love their version of “Carol” on this album. It reminds me so much of Tom and The Heartbreakers version in soul and spirit.
Ya know, as a young boy coming into being a young man, I adored everything The Beatles did. Still do. Had all their records released at the time. But at heart, I was much more of a Rolling Stones guy. As a teenager I didn’t really examine the “why” of that … I mean at that age who cares or wants to know why, other than your parents really. But as I’ve gotten older and my reverence for them as a band, not just rebel bad boys grew I began digging deeply into their very early years. I have immense respect for The Stones. They got it right. I mean hell, side one alone of this record could be it’s own live record. The performances of “Jumping Jack Flash” into “Carol” into “Stray Cat Blues” into “Love In Vein” followed by Midnight Rambler is simply awesome.
For me personally, it was a huge thrill to tour with them as a mixer for their opening act on the European leg of the Steel Wheels Tour in the early 1990’s. It was awe inspiring to see that big touring machine in action and in my opinion you have to give all the credit to the Stones for building the logistical model for the “big stadium tour”. They did it then, and still do it now, like no others and set the bar in place for all to follow. It was very cool to be on that sized tour and experience the scale and pace of it. My new wife Mary Jo was with me for the majority of the tour on a kind of hybrid working honeymoon. If memory serves me she actually danced with Mick at one of the tour parties. Yep, that’s my girl alright.
This record was recorded over a few nights in 1969 at Madison Square Garden by Glyn Johns with the Wally Heider Mobile unit. It’ll forever be an all time classic in my collection and always ranks high on greatest live album charts.
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