Is it just me or was Mick Taylor "underused" while in the Stones? What I mean is, in the studio, he really only shines or is given room to display his talents on ballads like Sway and Time Waits for No One. But live, he seemed to turn the faster, harder, more ''rocky'' songs into just plain awesomeness. Look at how he shined on for example "Street Fighting Man" in the '72 and '73 tours--He totally transformed that song from an experimental psychedelic anthem into a stadium rock climatic anthem full of fury and epic solos. I think had they actually let him play solos over their harder songs it would've been magical. Imagine how Hand of Fate, for example, might've sounded had he stuck around another year, or how Brown Sugar might've sounded with a Mick solo instead of the Sax, or what he could've done with Gimme Shelter.

And I still wish the band had re-recorded Street Fighting Man the way it was played on those tours--To be honest I prefer it to the studio version. It's much more raw and angry live on those tours. It almost comes off as proto-punk rock in the '72 and '73 versions of it..

The guy was like a '70s version of Slash (from Guns N' Roses) and he could've helped the Stones create some really hard rock epics on the scale of Free Bird or Ten Years Gone (by Zeppelin).

He had his chance for 5 years.

StickyStones wrote on Oct 10^th, 2010 at 6:42am:

The guy was like a '70s version of Slash.

:forfucksake

I'd have him back today so long as someone cuts the cable to that dreadful wah wah peddle!!  Not sure what is meant by what he could have done with Gimme Shelter.   The Brussels Affair version is stunning although to be fair mainly for Keef's contribution.

StickyStones wrote on Oct 10^th, 2010 at 6:42am:

Is it just me or was Mick Taylor "underused" while in the Stones? What I mean is, in the studio, he really only shines or is given room to display his talents on ballads like Sway and Time Waits for No One. But live, he seemed to turn the faster, harder, more ''rocky'' songs into just plain awesomeness. Look at how he shined on for example "Street Fighting Man" in the '72 and '73 tours--He totally transformed that song from an experimental psychedelic anthem into a stadium rock climatic anthem full of fury and epic solos. I think had they actually let him play solos over their harder songs it would've been magical. Imagine how Hand of Fate, for example, might've sounded had he stuck around another year, or how Brown Sugar might've sounded with a Mick solo instead of the Sax, or what he could've done with Gimme Shelter. And I still wish the band had re-recorded Street Fighting Man the way it was played on those tours--To be honest I prefer it to the studio version. It's much more raw and angry live on those tours. It almost comes off as proto-punk rock in the '72 and '73 versions of it.. The guy was like a '70s version of Slash (from Guns N' Roses) and he could've helped the Stones create some really hard rock epics on the scale of Free Bird or Ten Years Gone (by Zeppelin).

Fortunately, they didn't. Taylor was a wonderful musician but thankfully there's a lot more to the Stones' canon than epic-length guitar wankery.

You really think that the studio cuts of 'Brown Sugar' and (especially) 'Gimme Shelter' can be improved upon?

There are a few alternate versions of both tracks in circulation. In the case of 'Brown Sugar', some without the sax.

The Stones picked the best versions for release. No question. Maybe it's a case of over-familiarity breeding contempt, but those two records are perfect as they are. In fact, the studio version of 'Gimme Shelter' is IMO the single greatest thing they've ever done.

Agree with everything Gazza said. One reason why I like the Stones so much more than many other bands is that they focus on delivering great songs, rather than showing off their chops.

And people allways forget,he did NOT write those songs,any of them.Stones needed a virtuoso back then,because it was also a "fashion" thing,every other rock band had one,so they needed their own.I BET his style would not fit with todays music,let alone with stones anymore.

I think he was used just right.  Maybe a mellow solo on Angie here or a little more lead guitar on Loving Cup, but (if he were in the band then) I don't want him effing up SFM with that Brussels-style outro shite, or changing the perfection that is Brown Sugar or Wild Horses.  In a rock and roll band, he had about as much leeway as I'd like.  I am, however, happy to listen to him with Jack Bruce or Alvin Lee, where he can jam for 10+ minutes and usually sound interesting throughout.

corgi37 wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 3:21am:

He had his chance for 5 years.

And in 5 years he contributed more then Ronnie Wood did in 35 years, if someone can name one song that Ronnie contributed, name it, certainly not these.
Love In Vain (Slide Work)
Sway.
Wild Horses.
Can't You Hear Me knocking.
Moonlight Mile.
Winter.
Till The Next Good-Bye.
Time Waits For No One.
Ventilator Blues.
Stop Breakin' Down.
Shine A Light.
100 Years Ago.
Those are just a few, the albums with The Stones are some of the best they ever did, I don't understand these comments like Mick Taylor was a nobody, when he left, The Stones didn't get another guitarist to inspire original medolic guitar lines, they got a guy who's  good at covering his & Brian Jones's parts, no songs written that were outstanding by any means.

Heart Of Stone wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 5:10pm:

corgi37 wrote on Oct 11th, 2010 at 3:21am: He had his chance for 5 years. And in 5 years he contributed more then Ronnie Wood did in 35 years, if someone can name one song that Ronnie contributed, name it, certainly not these. Love In Vain (Slide Work) Sway. Wild Horses. Can't You Hear Me knocking. Moonlight Mile. Winter. Till The Next Good-Bye. Time Waits For No One. Ventilator Blues. Stop Breakin' Down. Shine A Light. 100 Years Ago. Those are just a few, the albums with The Stones are some of the best they ever did, I don't understand these comments like Mick Taylor was a nobody, when he left, The Stones didn't get another guitarist to inspire original medolic guitar lines, they got a guy who's  good at covering his & Brian Jones's parts, no songs written that were outstanding by any means.

Some Stones fans don't appreciate improvised guitar playing. They just want to hear a duplicate of what's on the album.  Ronnie is the Ed McMahon of The Stones...he may as well open the show with...Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer's Mick and Keith.

Bingo wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 6:59pm:

Heart Of Stone wrote on Oct 11th, 2010 at 5:10pm: corgi37 wrote on Oct 11th, 2010 at 3:21am: He had his chance for 5 years. And in 5 years he contributed more then Ronnie Wood did in 35 years, if someone can name one song that Ronnie contributed, name it, certainly not these. Love In Vain (Slide Work) Sway. Wild Horses. Can't You Hear Me knocking. Moonlight Mile. Winter. Till The Next Good-Bye. Time Waits For No One. Ventilator Blues. Stop Breakin' Down. Shine A Light. 100 Years Ago. Those are just a few, the albums with The Stones are some of the best they ever did, I don't understand these comments like Mick Taylor was a nobody, when he left, The Stones didn't get another guitarist to inspire original medolic guitar lines, they got a guy who's  good at covering his & Brian Jones's parts, no songs written that were outstanding by any means. Some Stones fans don't appreciate improvised guitar playing. They just want to hear a duplicate of what's on the album.  Ronnie is the Ed McMahon of The Stones...he may as well open the show with...Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer's Mick and Keith.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSBWDt0CzA8IK2mfKowxZErgDiRW4Oq9gS3OybareqM8mynCEg&t=1&usg=__flj9Jq3wvtS2RtM38GKUWe1lP5k=

Ed Mcmahon, Mick, Charlie, Stu, Brian, Keith...Bill was photoshopped out of the photo. LOL

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/06/24/alg_mcmahon_star_search.jpg

Bingo wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 8:19pm:

Ed Mcmahon, Mick, Charlie, Stu, Brian, Keith...Bill was photoshopped out of the photo. LOL http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/06/24/alg_mcmahon_star_search.jpg

At that age, Bill was probably hitting on fetuses.
Brainy

marko wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 11:21am:

And people allways forget,he did NOT write those songs,any of them.Stones needed a virtuoso back then,because it was also a "fashion" thing,every other rock band had one,so they needed their own.I BET his style would not fit with todays music,let alone with stones anymore.

Well, ''today's music'' consists of Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa and the like. I'll take virtuoso guitarists like Mick over that crap any day. And I think he'd still fit in the Stones. He's gotten older just like the rest of them.

StickyStones wrote on Oct 11^th, 2010 at 9:56pm:

Well, ''today's music'' consists of Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa and the like. I'll take virtuoso guitarists like Mick over that crap any day. And I think he'd still fit in the Stones. He's gotten older just like the rest of them.

It doesn't. It consists of a lot more. Every period of music has had it's share of utter conveyor belt drivel - the 60's included - mixed in with fine music.

These days you just have to look a bit harder as it's not in the charts and generally not on the radio.

You're making it sound like it's a simple black and white issue. Justin Bieber or Mick Taylor. No grey area in between? ::)

Should I even know who Justin Bieber  is?

Seriously...I haven't a clue...and I don't feel like googling him

Well he does use up 3% of Twitter.  :Youmakeagrownmancrylikejoey

As much as I love talking about the Stones, let's talk about Android's bouncy bouncy girl in the profile.

Steel Wheels wrote on Oct 13^th, 2010 at 12:31pm:

As much as I love talking about the Stones, let's talk about Android's bouncy bouncy girl in the profile.

:forfucksake

Steel Wheels wrote on Oct 13^th, 2010 at 12:31pm:

As much as I love talking about the Stones, let's talk about Android's bouncy bouncy girl in the profile.

If you look close, you can see she has a tramp stamp.  I hate those.  :nanker

Ronnie contributed to "Dance" on ER.

Thats worth 5 1/2 Time waits no one's

corgi37 wrote on Oct 14^th, 2010 at 7:36am:

Ronnie contributed to "Dance" on ER. Thats worth 5 1/2 Time waits no one's

Ronnie wrote Black Limousine and Pretty Beat Up. also known as Dog Shit.