Box Set Review: The Rolling Stones ‘Black And Blue Super Deluxe’ – Revisiting The LP With Outtakes, A Live Show From London ’76, BluRay

Last week the Stones released a “super deluxe” version of their 1976 album Black And Blue. The box contains the original album – remixed by whizz Steve Wilson – a disc of outtakes, and a contemporary concert recorded in London’s Earls Court in 1976. There’s also a Bluray disc but I’m only commenting on the audio sections of this release.

I knew as soon as I saw the social media teasers for this super deluxe set that this was going to be interesting. At least they didn’t revive the original ad campaign which depicted a bound and clearly bruised woman… ah, the 70s. This is not a Stones album that is high on anybody’s list of “Best Stones Albums,” but it still has it’s charms. I don’t think the Stones have ever been this loose in the studio since. When I was in college I picked up my original vinyl copy of Black And Blue at a used record store and I liked it. Although, I had a friend in college ask me if Black And Blue was “worth checking out?” because I was known as a Stones fanatic. Despite my love of the Stones and the fact that I actually liked Black And Blue, I told my friend, “No, it’s not worth your time.” I apparently denied Black And Blue three times before the cock crowed…

You can’t really consider Black And Blue without factoring in the backdrop of what was happening with the Stones at the time. The Stones were in flux in 1976. For the second time in their storied career they had to replace their lead guitar player. Unlike original guitarist Brian Jones, who was fired by the band, lead guitarist Mick Taylor had bowed out in December of 1974 after It’s Only Rock N Roll. Mick Taylor, who’d gotten his start in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, was an amazing lead guitarist and his presence really allowed Keith Richards to shine on rhythm guitar and to become the “riff meister” that he was always meant to be. When asked why he quit Taylor said something about needing to get away from the Keith Richards’ lifestyle.

As a stopgap the Stones released the single-disc greatest hits package Made In The Shade in 1975 – yes, groups were expected to put out an album every year – but by 1976 the world needed a new Stones album and the Stones still needed a new lead guitarist. The Stones hung out in, I believe, the Netherlands and began auditioning guitar players. Ronnie Wood of the Faces had already joined them as a touring guitarist so I’d have thought the decision was made. Apparently not.

So many guitar hopefuls came to the continent and jammed with the band. Rory Gallagher, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck and Steve Marriott (who Wood replaced in the Small Faces, who then became the Faces) all “auditioned.” Obviously Ronnie Wood was there as was Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat), and a few others. Jeff Beck famously said “In two hours I only got to play three chords…” The guy was always a curmudgeon. While several of the guitarist’s contributions made the final album, it was Ronnie Wood, Beck’s erstwhile bass player in the Jeff Beck Group who was chosen to join the Stones. I’ve always loved the Ron Wood era of the Stones so this being his first official album with the group, I have a soft spot for it.

Since the sessions for this album all revolved around jam sessions with these various guitar players, the album is loose and a bit jammy. The first tracks that jumped out at me were the ballads but that’s probably because they were the only songs that had to be thought out and arranged. “Fool To Cry” was the single and it’s not a favorite of Stones purists but I always liked it. I used to quote it to a woman I dated who lived in a sketchy part of town…”You know, I’ve got a woman, And she live in the poor part of town, And I go see her sometimes…” Well, at least I was amused. I even dig Mick’s falsetto on the song. The knockout track on this album for me has always been “Memory Motel.” It’s a broken heart story set on the road. “We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel, It’s on the ocean, I guess you know it well…” Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s one of those rare Jagger/Richards duets. I was delighted they revived it live on one of the myriad tours I’ve seen them on.

Beyond the ballads the album finds the Stones dabbling in all sorts of genres. We hear some reggae, some soul, even a touch of disco to go with the usual bloozy rock n roll. I will say the two straight up rock songs on the album, “Crazy Mama” and “Hand Of Fate” are underappreciated gems. Especially “Hand Of Fate.” “Hot Stuff” is a great opening track. “Cherry Oh Baby” is a great Stones reggae tune. I love bands who do reggae tunes. This isn’t Exile On Main Street, but it’s a solid album for a transitional period and the Stones were indeed in transition. Listening to Black And Blue now, all these years later, I’d amend my earlier statement to my college friend to, “Yes, check this one out.”

The disc of bonus material and outtakes is centered around the jams they recorded with the various guitar players. Mostly we get jams with Jeff Beck. I like those and they’ve been widely bootlegged, but I can’t imagine coming back to those a whole bunch. We do get two complete songs. The single that was released in the lead up to the box was a neo-soul disco thing called “Shame Shame Shame.” I did not like it on first listen but it’s growing on me. “I Love The Ladies” is the standout on disc 2, it gives me real Tattoo You, side 2 vibes.

The last two discs of the box set are from the Earls Court 1976 concert. This is usually where we find the gold in these boxes. Of course, the Stones have already documented this tour with the live album Love You Live. This live concert mirrors the setlist on that album except of course the El Mocambo side (side 3) which was taken from a completely different show… which has also been released as Live At The El Mocambo. 

I’ve always liked Love You Live. My friends and I were too young to experience the awesomeness of Get Your Ya Yas Out, the Stones best live album, so Love You Live was “our” Stones live album. I thought since I owned Love You Live this live concert recording would be superfluous but I was wrong. They cut most of the Black And Blue material from that live album. I love hearing the Stones tear through “Hand Of Fate,” “Hey Negrita” and “Fool To Cry.” We even get a few tracks from It’s Only Rock N Roll, including the title track and their Temptations’ cover “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” This was still when Jagger stayed on stage and sang along with Keith on “Happy” which is always worth hearing. It all makes for great listening.

I had forgotten that on this tour they took Billy Preston along to play keyboards. He was the only guy I know who jammed with both the Stones and the Beatles on Let It Be. He was the fifth guy with the Beatles on their famous rooftop concert. The Stones respect him enough to let him play two of his own tracks during the concert. I heard Keith told Billy at the time, “Hey man, this is the Stones featuring Billy Preston, not Billy Preston featuring the Stones.” I’ll admit the Preston tunes don’t scratch any itch for me, but it’s nice to have the concert in full.

Every Stones fan should check out this important archival release from the World’s Greatest Rock N Roll Band. The concert will thrill you even if you do own Love You Live. The outtakes are interesting and the jams might even tickle your fancy. And of course everyone should own the original album if just for “Memory Motel.”

This album will look good snug under my Xmas tree this year… hint hint if the Rock Chick is reading…

Cheers!