The Rolling Stones Album: “Stripped”

In the early 1990s virtually everybody from Eric Clapton to Nirvana released an Unplugged record. The Rolling Stones didn't. In several of the songs recorded for Stripped (1995), Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood play electric guitars. So all those who had some appetite for an unplugged Rolling Stones record were probably left a little unhappy.

That said, Stripped is a really nice live record especially for their hard-core fans. Most of the live records that the Stones have released over time, from `Get yer ya-ya's out! (1970) onward (with the possible exception of Still Life, 1982), were centered around classic Rolling Stones hits such as Honky Tonk Women, Satisfaction, Sympathy for the Devil, Jumpin' Jack Flash and, more recently, Start me up. Stripped represents a step in a different direction as most of the songs recorded live for this album are the sometimes unjustly neglected Stones B-Side. The Stones recorded one song from their 1969 album. Interestingly what they played was Let it bleed instead of Gimme Shelter or You can't always get what you want. There are three songs from Sticky Fingers (1971), but two of the them (Dead Flowers and Love in Vain) are not neraly as well known as Brown Sugar. Two of the songs that appear on Stripped were originally released in Exile on Main Street (1972). But even in this case, the Stones opted for Sweet Virginia and Shine a Light, instead of performing the superfamous Tumbling Dice or Happy.

But the overall quality of Stripped is great and record is nice treat not only for Stones fans. A final note is order, this is the second record with Darryl Jones on bass and it just shows how well he blended with the rest of the band not only in studio but also in live performances.

The energy level may be a little low due to the acoustic nature of most of this live album, but the musicianship is way high. You could think of this album as semi unplugged. The boys are on their game that's for sure. Marvelous slide and lead playing from Ron Woods, while Keith puts in some of his best and most soulfull vocals I've ever heard him do and of course his guitar playing is impeccable. Charlie Watts is a freaking rock, he's the man. And then there's Mick who puts in some of the best singing I've heard him do in years. His harmonica adds a really nice touch on many of the songs. The keyboard playing by Chuck Leavell both piano and organ are just great. The band sound like they're having fun and are really feeling the music. Like I said the energy isn't at the high level of Get Yer Ya Ya's Out but the playing is tighter, funkier and soulfull. These guys just keep getting better with age. If this album were longer I'd have given it 5 stars.

This album feels like you invited Mick and the boys into your living room for a little jam session. Me and my 6-string like to jam right along with them from time to time. This is a great album for those of us who haven't cared for the last 15+ years of the Rolling Stones. I still love 'em; but I love 'em best when they play the old songs I love so much. This one is chock full of classics that weren't radio mainstays: "Sweet Virginia," "Spider and Fly," "Let It Bleed," and maybe my all-time favorite Stones tune ever, their cover of Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain." A great version of Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" and beautiful, soulful renditions of "Angie" and "Wild Horses" make this a must-have. I love the Keef mess-up at the beginning of "Love In Vain," and Ronnie good-naturedly cracking on him about it! Great blues album that is living proof the Stones are at their best with acoustic guitars in-hand.

The album title says it all - The Stones in "stripped down" mode ... and, boy, is it excellent!

This has got to be their most intimate album ever recorded. Listening to it honestly makes me feel like I've got a front row seat in the nightclub where it was recorded .... and loving every moment of the sounds coming out of my speakers.

Good job, fellas ... 7th live album or 1-6, this one's a keeper!

While the Stones have excelled often in the studio and their live shows are platinum entertainment events, the musical quality of their live performances has been spotty over the years, the demands of musicianship often being subservient to the controlled chaos and subpar sound quality of arena rock. While the Stones have released lots of live performances, only two of these albums are among their greatest: Get Your Yayas Out, which captured the extraordinary addition of Mick Taylor to the lineup after Brian Jones' death, and Stripped, which has the purity, clarity, emotion and musicianship of these artists at their very best. The tunes span the Stones' full career, but every version of these classics is a rediscovery and reinvention, with the band almost giddy at what they are spinning out. This album is well worth the listen.