http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kslYkVGDJHU

I never had much opinion towards this track or Steel Wheels in general.   Always been kind of apathetic towards them.  CBS sounds like a song from Talk is Cheap, which isn't a bad thing, but a little too 80s production for my taste.  Does it have "gem" potential or is it simply throwaway?  For me, its an above-average song that sounds better live and deserves a live outing every few dozen shows (like they would mix up setlists anyway).

Not a bad song, but pretty much filler in my book.

I dont think it originates from 'Talk is Cheap' though (as far as I know, anyway).

'Almost Hear you Sigh' was the only Steel Wheels song that I know of that definitely comes from that far back - hence Steve Jordan's co-writing credit.

As well as the two SW outtakes that have circulated with Keith on vocals, there are 2 earlier and quite rough versions in circulation from a bootleg of Talk is Cheap sessions.

As for the SW album, for the most part, the Monitor Mixes bootleg show how it SHOULD have sounded.

Was "Monitor Mixes" the one that had "Hold Onto Your Hat" with Mick's guitar straight through the amp and without the overdrive? Were the premixes of the whole album, or just a few tracks?

This is one I've always skipped past after the first few listens.  I just never could warm up to it, although it will be in my head for the next hour.  

When I saw them in Oakland during the SW tour I thought Keith did a really good live version.  :wtf1

Gazza wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2009 at 6:17pm:

Not a bad song, but pretty much filler in my book. I dont think it originates from 'Talk is Cheap' though (as far as I know, anyway). 'Almost Hear you Sigh' was the only Steel Wheels song that I know of that definitely comes from that far back - hence Steve Jordan's co-writing credit. As well as the two SW outtakes that have circulated with Keith on vocals, there are 2 earlier and quite rough versions in circulation from a bootleg of Talk is Cheap sessions. As for the SW album, for the most part, the Monitor Mixes bootleg show how it SHOULD have sounded.

Love the Monitor Mixes.  I really loved Keith's tone in 89-90, and for that matter, in 94-5.  Both studio and especially live; lead-wise it was the peak of his playing IMO.  

As for Can't Be Seen, for me its somewhere between filler and semi-gem, but is there any better filler than Stones' filler?

Mel Belli wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2009 at 7:23pm:

Was "Monitor Mixes" the one that had "Hold Onto Your Hat" with Mick's guitar straight through the amp and without the overdrive? Were the premixes of the whole album, or just a few tracks?

I'd need to check but I think the version of Hold On To Your Hat was better than the released version.

Some of the songs were early versions, some were overdub sessions, and some were alternate takes. Plus a couple of unreleased songs, including the cover of 'For Your Precious Love'. The mix of these tracks, however, doesnt date the songs as much as the finished album does.

There's another boot of these sessions called 'Training Wheels' which features much the same tracks, but in what are mostly earlier renditions.

Can't Be Seen is a great track. I would really like Keith to dust this one off for the next tour: but it won't happen, of course.  :(

Throwaway wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2009 at 7:51pm:

I really loved Keith's tone in 89-90, and for that matter, in 94-5.  Both studio and especially live; lead-wise it was the peak of his playing IMO.

Me too! Highly underrated period, in my opinion. Throw in the nylon-string work on AHYS and live PIB and RT -- he was really firing on all cylinders at that point.

88 Winos Keef through 90 Urban Jungle are some hot times for Keith. His playing is fantastic.

As for Steel Wheels, LOVE IT.

They rehearsed CBS in 2007 . I liked it live in 1990.

sc uk

Pretty interesting song, nice chords and tones, besides it's Keith's last (latest?) "rocker" with the Stones, at least as the lead singer!

This song always reminds me of a lying, cheating spouse. They cant be seen in public because the afffair will be exposed. So I never liked it because of the lyrics. And if youre married anyway than keep your pants on! I have nothing against people sleeping with multiple partners but if thats your thing, than dont get married, you wont have to sneak around, and you CAN be seen!