I played it this morning and REALLY enjoyed it...after further examination of my iTunes...I discovered that I edited out three songs and now I really enjoy it
so much more than the actual CD.

Edited out:
Flip The Switch ( NEVER liked this song)
Thief In The Night ( I like this song, but not on the album. I have it in 2 other playlists)
How Can I Stop? ( again...way to long as 7 min closing number...on another playlist, as well)

What do you think of B2B?
Do you ever play it ever / anymore?

How do you rank it overall...since 1981? Since 1993?

And Yes...I do like Might As Well Get Juiced...I love The Dust Brothers body of work. Fight Club OST is AMAZING!!!
The concept of a Blues song made into an Industrialized song is really cool, IMO

I think B2B is better than ABB, but that's about it. Every other Stones album is better IMO. It just does not work for me. Love Saint Of Me though. I give that one a spin every now and then.

Their work from 81 onward:
1. Tattoo You
2. Voodoo Lounge
3. Undercover
4. Dirty Work (believe it)
5. Steel Wheels
6. Bridges To Babylon
7. The Album That Must Not Be Named (but I think I just did above).

The three songs you edited out are probably my three favourites on the entire album - well, the last two are anyway.

Excellent songs for the most part, great mix too. Love it. The best Stones album of the last 30 years by some distance.

It was the last time they tried to get ambitious, and for the most part the effort paid off. The one thing that detracts from the album is that it's kind of like parallel solo albums. It was fragmented, like Dirty Work. Mick and Keith were at loggerheads in a way they weren't on Voodoo Lounge.

But the fact that that process yielded Saint of Me and How Can I Stop ultimately makes it hard to argue with.

I was just listening to this album the other day and was reminded how good parts of it were; Saint of Me & Out of Control are two of the strongest songs to come out of this camp since Tattoo You, plus they sounded great live too

Mr. Sex Drugs Rock n Roll wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2011 at 12:10pm:

I was just listening to this album the other day and was reminded how good parts of it were; Saint of Me & Out of Control are two of the strongest songs to come out of this camp since Tattoo You, plus they sounded great live too

True Dat Mister!!

Not sure why anyone wouldn't like Flip the Switch, it's a pretty good raw and raunchy Stones rocker, perfectly kicks off the album with a great jolt of energy

I revisit this one  a couple of times a year. It's not that I hate it or anything, I just never manage to listen to it and not get distracted. To me it feels like they gave B2B a shot at first, realised they were not getting what they wanted and played it safe. The double Keef ballad at the end is too much, the opener and the Mick ballad Already Over Me are songs on autopilot.  But  Saint Of Me is probably their best song this side of Some Girls.

Out of Control is Poppa Was a Rolling Stone imho........I'm surprised they werent sued or had to pay royalties on that one. Love the Keef tunes and Saint of Me is great but as mentioned kinda like 2 solo albums meshed together.

Mr. Sex Drugs Rock n Roll wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2011 at 4:08pm:

Not sure why anyone wouldn't like Flip the Switch, it's a pretty good raw and raunchy Stones rocker, perfectly kicks off the album with a great jolt of energy

Simply a matter of personal preference... to me it sounds like "Let Me Go" re-worked ( after the leftover Dirty Work guitar hook)...and ILOVE LMG!!! :keithpunky

Ironically, I don't get the same reaction from the live version on No Security ( as much)

Yeah, the live version of Flip the Switch was flat. Same with I Go Wild. Guitars were too clean in both cases.

Mick or Keith don't hold Ronnie back at all on the solo for Too Tight.

Great album.

stones
gimmekeef wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2011 at 5:23pm:

Out of Control is Poppa Was a Rolling Stone imho........I'm surprised they werent sued or had to pay royalties on that one. Love the Keef tunes and Saint of Me is great but as mentioned kinda like 2 solo albums meshed together.

They lifted a bar or two off 'Riders on the Storm' as well, most notably on the bassline. Much less obvious than 'Papa', though. For all the caution they exercised on the lesser link between 'Anbody seen my baby' and 'Constant Craving', it's more surprising that less fuss was made about this one.  If they got it okayed with Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, I've never seen it mentioned anywhere.

It was glorious when they played it in concert (and great to see an audience respond so well to a new song - as they did with Saint Of Me). Fantastic version from Buenos Aires on 'No Security' .

Although this one from St Louis is pretty blinding as well. Keith is an absolute monster on it, and the interplay between him and Mick during the harmonica solo is terrific.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3egNz_Q2fYM&feature=related

Gazza wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 11:05am:

It was glorious when they played it in concert (and great to see an audience respond so well to a new song - as they did with Saint Of Me). Fantastic version from Buenos Aires on 'No Security' . Although this one from St Louis is pretty blinding as well. Keith is an absolute monster on it, and the interplay between him and Mick during the harmonica solo is terrific. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3egNz_Q2fYM&feature=related

The first time i saw this clip, i realized the OUT OF CONTROL was like a modern day Midnite Rambler...as far as stage production, instrumentals, and song pace...

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 8:49am:

Mick or Keith don't hold Ronnie back at all on the solo for Too Tight. Great album.

That's a Keith solo.

I'm not sure Ronnie had a proper solo on the entire album -- apart from a few stray non-Waddy Wachtel licks on Saint of Me and some passable slide work on Already Over Me and Lowdown.

Always loved the album, from the moment I bought it. I do wish they would attempt something a little more experimental liek it again, but I think I've more or less given up on that notion ever happening. I can't even really say there's a track I plain dislike, either. Juiced is a fantastic groove track guaranteed to offend blues purists, Saint and Out on Control are bona-fide latter-day classics, and Keith's songs are actually all really great (that incudes Flip the Switch, as he pointed out on his book). Gunface is another that I just totally love.

I think I'm going to play it right now, matter of fact.

Stellar album, the last time the Stones really still mattered too, just before they gave up (UK 98 tax cancellations -> NS -> Forty Licks, etc...) and became an oldies band.

The big difference with anything they've done this side of Tattoo You is that they got help from ambitious producers and excellent musicians. Waddy Wachtel is on fire on a lot of the tracks, notably "Saint of Me" that has one of my all time preferred guitar parts. Benmont Tench adds a great organ to "Already Over Me" too. I'm pretty sure that ABB would have been a lot better with that type of help...and decent Keith contributions of course.

I was non plussed about Keith's closing tracks at first but quite like them now. The only track I never liked is "Always Suffering", trite lyrically and boring musically.

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 6:03pm:

Stellar album, the last time the Stones really still mattered too, just before they gave up (UK 98 tax cancellations -> NS -> Forty Licks, etc...) and became an oldies band. The big difference with anything they've done this side of Tattoo You is that they got help from ambitious producers and excellent musicians. Waddy Wachtel is on fire on a lot of the tracks, notably "Saint of Me" that has one of my all time preferred guitar parts. Benmont Tench adds a great organ to "Already Over Me" too. I'm pretty sure that ABB would have been a lot better with that type of help...and decent Keith contributions of course. I was non plussed about Keith's closing tracks at first but quite like them now. The only track I never liked is "Always Suffering", trite lyrically and boring musically.

I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.

great album, great tour... i missed voodoo lounge tour due to a commitment to the state of california to right some wrongs... was stoked as fuck to see a show in oakland california... it had been since AC 1989, so it was a long time between shows!!!

Yep, Oakland was great, can't remember which night I was there out of the four, the third one possibly, best stadium show ever, the excellent row 11 seats Chelskeith had gotten for the UC gang didn't hurt of course!


Quote:

I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.

Need to give that another listen, is it the solo part that Keith is playing (miming if that's the case ?) in the video when he's on top of that skyscraper? Huh!

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 6:14pm:

Yep, Oakland was great, can't remember which night I was there out of the four, the third one possibly, best stadium show ever, the excellent row 11 seats Chelskeith had gotten for the UC gang didn't hurt of course! Quote: I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.   Need to give that another listen, is it the solo part that Keith is playing (miming if that's the case ?) in the video when he's on top of that skyscraper? Huh!

oakland was the balls was there the first night maybe 13th row, full moon, boz scaggs sittin behind us and a flask that woulndt open, went third night(rain) somehow ended up in a locker room at some point.......

:pullanolte

I remember hearing the debut of Anybody Seen My Baby? on local Philly radio and been really pissed that there's a rap part of the song...but I loved everything else about it. Now I love that song. The only song on the album I don't care for is Might As Well Get Juiced.

Steel Wheels wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 7:51pm:

I remember hearing the debut of Anybody Seen My Baby? on local Philly radio and been really pissed that there's a rap part of the song...but I loved everything else about it. Now I love that song. The only song on the album I don't care for is Might As Well Get Juiced.

was wondering when someone would complain there's a rap part on the song... I know it is me being repeatative, but that break is not rap, it's a shout out. There's no rhyming, just calling out of locations. This style goes way back in music. This is a song they worried they ripped off of KD Laing, so they gave her a writting credit... back to the topic of rapping, it requires rhyming and a certain type of delivery, that works best over a hip hop beat... none are happening on this song!

Heard ASMB on MTV the first time. My roommate at the time was a black guy from Jersey City. He knew the sample right away: "Hey, that's Biz Markie!" He was impressed. I was ... I don't know what. Don't mind it at all now.

A very "complex" album. A calculated affair that is a twisted ride, much more than any sort of straight run. Sort of lonely and even gloomy in areas. Production is a mix of slick, meets thick. Thick as it can exude a full back drop of sound... while slick, edgy guitars and placed nuances are laid on top.

A very "cold" listen, and a bit of a darker feel. Serious in tone..nothing warm and fun.


As we know, they altered the way standard Stones songs work in several songs. Experimental for The Stones in production, and in the mixing.

-With that said, I feel it is a "good" album. A strong enough release that meant something, rather than spinning in another standard style Rolling Stones effort.

Still, it isn't 110% my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, I like Bridges, but I am not totally crazy over it. I feel it certainly has it's own place on the shelf and to this day, I find it quite an interesting release. It has resurfaced in my disc player every rare moon. I play it usually in colder weather and when I am in the mood for it...which is very rarely... but only because it is so unique. Quite different.


Ian

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 24^th, 2011 at 6:14pm:

Yep, Oakland was great, can't remember which night I was there out of the four, the third one possibly, best stadium show ever, the excellent row 11 seats Chelskeith had gotten for the UC gang didn't hurt of course! Quote: I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.   Need to give that another listen, is it the solo part that Keith is playing (miming if that's the case ?) in the video when he's on top of that skyscraper? Huh!

Yep.

The Chrysler Building if my memory serves me well.

From 4:10 on the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48M1M-0LUJY&feature=related

On the record, it goes on a bit longer - (from 3:46 for the remaining 45 seconds or so)

Wow, Keith really has no shame, miming to the playing of another guitar player...Did Waddy let it out in an interview maybe?

Just acting in a video. Nothing deceptive about it -- at least no more deceptive than videos are generally.

A guitar player miming to what another guitar player recorded, not deceptive? Really!

I'm probably not the only one who thought Keith had recorded that part when I saw the video, when did you find out?

I hear that Jagger is also lip syncing in the video too...Gazza?  

:shutthefuckup :shutthefuckup

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 25^th, 2011 at 10:36am:

A guitar player miming to what another guitar player recorded, not deceptive? Really! I'm probably not the only one who thought Keith had recorded that part when I saw the video, when did you find out?

Just looked at the clip. As frequently happens in real life, Keith's hands never actually touch the guitar during Waddy's lick. If you wanna be overliteral about things, that should be satisfactory!

But the reality is, Keith probably posed a 100 times to no specific moment of the song. Someone yelled "Cut!" Keith went home. And someone else stitched the whole thing together.

I don't remember how or when I found out myself. It certainly wasn't from Waddy. I doubt he cares about it one way or the other...

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2011 at 12:35pm:

[quote author=steel driving hammer link=1319300631/0#11 date=1319377767]Mick or Keith don't hold Ronnie back at all on the solo for Too Tight. Great album.

That's a Keith solo.

I'm not a lawyer but I would have to advise against you that that is a Ronnie solo for Too Tight.  [smiley=bath.gif]

I've lost track of the thread. Are you telling me that it's a Ronnie solo? Or do you think I said it's a Ronnie solo?

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 9:48am:

I've lost track of the thread. Are you telling me that it's a Ronnie solo? Or do you think I said it's a Ronnie solo?

No recess council, you said it's a Keith solo.

I said it's a Ronnie solo.

No big deal.

And Ronnie was on FIRE for that solo for Too Tight.

Overruled, dude!

That's Keith. Bet the house on it. :)

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 9:57am:

Overruled, dude! That's Keith. Bet the house on it. :)

I'm waiting for the "Steel Driving Hammer Guitar Series" part V before I decide.   :loloncemore

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 9:57am:

Overruled, dude! That's Keith. Bet the house on it. :)

My closing statement -

Listen to after Mick says "I sung that song, I wrote that fucking book" THEN it's all Ronnie baby...on fire!

Verdict = ?

Judge Gazza will return soon for the verdict.

I listened again, just to make sure. It's not even remotely possible that Ronnie is playing that solo. The tone, style, phrasing -- pure Keith.

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 10:09am:

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26th, 2011 at 9:57am: Overruled, dude! That's Keith. Bet the house on it. :) My closing statement - Listen to after Mick says "I sung that song, I wrote that fucking book" THEN it's all Ronnie baby...on fire! Verdict = ?

Tuff call...but IF I had to place a small wager...i would say Woodie and Keith at the VERY VERY end with the fade out

Paranoid Android wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 10:26am:

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 26th, 2011 at 10:09am: Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26th, 2011 at 9:57am: Overruled, dude! That's Keith. Bet the house on it. :) My closing statement - Listen to after Mick says "I sung that song, I wrote that fucking book" THEN it's all Ronnie baby...on fire! Verdict = ? Tuff call...but IF I had to place a small wager...i would say Woodie and Keith at the VERY VERY end with the fade out

So you're betting on both then?

That solo is from Ronnie.

Can't believe you don't know that style twang style of riff from Ronnie - it's so good you don't know what's coming next.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_27ZYbjHaRc from 2:00 - 2:10 it's all Ronnie boy.

I very sure the note bending before that is Ronnie too.

To clarify...Woody in the middle after the mentioned lyrics...and Keith at the end...

again...a small wager...like a latte or shot of rail bourbon... ;)

This is crazy talk. I honestly can't believe you guys don't recognize Keith there. It's practically the same solo he plays on *every* song nowadays. Check out the double-stop thing he does at the 2:00 mark, with the high-E string open.

Does the same thing with the descending lick of "Already Over Me" (1:59) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWV_tKf-fX4).

Listen to what he plays on "Always Suffering" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfLPLQSMKTo) at around 4:10. Same licks -- possibly even the same guitar!

Where's Gazza?

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 2:27pm:

Where's Gazza?

http://www.jbjsoulkitchen.org/article/news/the-jon-bon-jovi-soul-foundation-celebrates-opening-of-the-soul-kitchen-in-red-bank-nj-on-october-19

Mel Belli wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 1:04pm:

This is crazy talk.

Mel, I remember a few years ago on a less prestigious board than this where an astonishingly large group of people thought the guitar on Highway Child was played by Jagger!  So it gets worse than this.    

Does that mean I'm right Zack?

It is Ronnie on that electrifying solo?

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 27^th, 2011 at 8:32am:

Does that mean I'm right Zack? It is Ronnie on that electrifying solo?

Don't depend on me.  I'm never right.  Ask my wife.

Maybe mojo knows.

Gazza wrote on Oct 25^th, 2011 at 9:45am:

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 24th, 2011 at 6:14pm: Yep, Oakland was great, can't remember which night I was there out of the four, the third one possibly, best stadium show ever, the excellent row 11 seats Chelskeith had gotten for the UC gang didn't hurt of course! Quote: I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.   Need to give that another listen, is it the solo part that Keith is playing (miming if that's the case ?) in the video when he's on top of that skyscraper? Huh! Yep. The Chrysler Building if my memory serves me well. From 4:10 on the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48M1M-0LUJY&feature=related On the record, it goes on a bit longer - (from 3:46 for the remaining 45 seconds or so)

I'd totally forgotten Angelina Jolie was his baby in the video, that was right before she got famous. Very nice brassiere  :perverted

The solo on Too Tight (at the 2 minute mark) is coming mainly from the right channel, which bleeds into the left. I've always associated the right channel with Keith's guitar.  Keith gets my vote, with Waddy a close 2nd. I think if it was Ronnie, they'd mix it to the left channel.

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 2:27pm:

Where's Gazza?

The last thing I'll ever claim to be an authority on is a discussion about the individual guitar parts on a Stones record.

I'll leave that to people who can actually play the damn thing!

Mr. Sex Drugs Rock n Roll wrote on Oct 29^th, 2011 at 12:01pm:

Gazza wrote on Oct 25th, 2011 at 9:45am: gotdablouse wrote on Oct 24th, 2011 at 6:14pm: Yep, Oakland was great, can't remember which night I was there out of the four, the third one possibly, best stadium show ever, the excellent row 11 seats Chelskeith had gotten for the UC gang didn't hurt of course! Quote: I've always maintained that Waddy's guitar coda at the end of 'Anybody Seen My Baby' is the best thing on the whole album. Absolutely beautiful.   Need to give that another listen, is it the solo part that Keith is playing (miming if that's the case ?) in the video when he's on top of that skyscraper? Huh! Yep. The Chrysler Building if my memory serves me well. From 4:10 on the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48M1M-0LUJY&feature=related On the record, it goes on a bit longer - (from 3:46 for the remaining 45 seconds or so) I'd totally forgotten Angelina Jolie was his baby in the video, that was right before she got famous. Very nice brassiere  :perverted

I had never seen her or even heard of her before this video.

The too tight solo is most definitely Keith, no question about it. All it takes is a listen to how he slides into the pentatonic box. And it only bleeds more Keith as it goes on. That and the tone give it away. That's probably my favorite track on the album. I love the way Keith finds the groove at the beginning and Charlie crashes into with such conviction.

The beginning is very good indeed, up to the "ahahahahaa" backing vox...then it turns into a good old neo boogie-woogie number like Neighbors, Mean Disposition, etc...they're enjoybale on first listen mind you, but you get tired of them pretty quick.

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 29^th, 2011 at 6:01pm:

The beginning is very good indeed, up to the "ahahahahaa" backing vox...then it turns into a good old neo boogie-woogie number like Neighbors, Mean Disposition, etc...they're enjoybale on first listen mind you, but you get tired of them pretty quick.

I recall a J.D. Considine review of B2B where he said, on "Too Tight," the Stones were imitating Husker Du. I thought at the time, there's no possible way Keith had ever heard of the band, let alone took care to nick one of its songs. Maybe one of the most asinine claims ever made in a Stones review:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-09-30/features/1997273104_1_dylan-stones-and-bob-rolling-stones

That Husker Du thing rings a bell from back then. The article was off to a good start but very bad review , the guy grossly exaggerates some aspects (AOMe) and misses SOM and OOC.

1997 was quite year though for the ol'guys, Macca, Dylan, Stones...like 89 had been...both good years for me too incidentally!

gotdablouse wrote on Oct 30^th, 2011 at 3:05am:

Thatcher Husker Du thing rings a bell from back then. The article was off to a good start but very bad review , the guy grossly exaggerates some aspects (AOMe) and misses SOM and OOC. 1997 was quite year though for the ol'guys, Macca, Dylan, Stones...like 89 had been...both good years for me too incidentally!

some great shows in 89 didnt see bigmac at the garden but sides the boys, ABB reunion tour, AIRPLANE reunion, ringos first allstars, the who was a little weak with pete that box and some others........

Flip The Switch ~ Great opening riff and a tight little tune, I enjoy it!

Anybody Seen My Baby? ~ Essential Stones tune and one of my faves. Love the video with young Angie too.  This was also MICK's intro into 'Rap music' We came to rock for Brooklyn, And Queens, And Manhattan, And The Bronx, And Staten Island, I can't forget New Jersey, and Long Island, And all over the world, we came to rock for everybody like this.. Shout to to New Jersey always makes me happy!

Low Down ~ I like it, it speaks a having an honest relationship I know that you won't lie to me, But you hold back the truth

Already Over Me ~ TRULY love this song! I've been hurt, So confused, I've been burned, I've been bruised, Are you already over me, Are you already sick of me

Gunface~ it took me a while to like this one, I'm not into violence and revenge.

You Don't Have To Mean ~ don't like it, because you DO have to mean it or dont say it! Whay bullshit yourself, it makes no sense.

Out Of Control ~ LOVE IT! I remember the first time I saw it played live, MICK builds it up from slow and soft to hard and fast. Yeah this song ROCKS!

Saint Of Me ~ LOVE IT! I thought I heard an angel cry, I thought I saw a teardrop falling from his eye, I thought I saw an angel cry A beautiful image, and a great tune.

Might As Well Get Juiced ~ Sometimes I dont like it and other times I do.

Always Suffering ~ MICK has some sweet vocals on this song but it's not one of my faves.

Too Tight ~ This song is amusing. Instructions to a new girlfriend!If you try to chain me up, I'll vanish like a broken dream

Thief In The Night ~ Absolutely great tune. Great when I saw it played live too. This is a very sweet song, KEEF wants to be with a woman who must be living with another man who, according to KEEF, isnt right for her. He's very persistant in convincing her to let him fvck her! He wont give up and it would be enough to convince me to open up and let him in! OK KEEF! You win!

How Can I Stop ~ Beautiful song. This song is about a KEEF contemplating an affair, but he knows that once it starts, it wont end. So I think what is he saying is it is better not to start at all, for the sake of his marriage. At least he is thinking ahead of the consequences. You tell me baby, Once I've started with you, How could I stop, Once I start  

Gazza wrote on Oct 29^th, 2011 at 4:09pm:

steel driving hammer wrote on Oct 26th, 2011 at 2:27pm: Where's Gazza? The last thing I'll ever claim to be an authority on is a discussion about the individual guitar parts on a Stones record. I'll leave that to people who can actually play the damn thing!

____________________________________



Good answer (wish I could play half a note me-self..). Now .. back to who is actually on the cover of Tattoo You? .. ..<<yeah that's right... I poked fun at a Rocks Off sore spot of mine.. what about it??  :warhorse   :D


.................................................................................... Ian

Bitch wrote on Oct 30^th, 2011 at 8:27pm:

You Don't Have To Mean ~ don't like it, because you DO have to mean it or dont say it! Whay bullshit yourself, it makes no sense.

Keith explains the inspiration for the song pretty well in 'Life'...

Gazza wrote on Nov 2^nd, 2011 at 8:01am:

Bitch wrote on Oct 30th, 2011 at 8:27pm: You Don't Have To Mean ~ don't like it, because you DO have to mean it or dont say it! Whay bullshit yourself, it makes no sense. Keith explains the inspiration for the song pretty well in 'Life'...

You just gotta say it anyway!

Another great tune!