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Ian Billen

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Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Aug 19^th, 2009 at 11:47pm

"Memory Motel" .... ahhhhhh a song that truly makes you feel like you actually knew the girl and had that very road trip experience Micks sings of a long, long while while ago.

*So how do you folks rate this among The Stones ballads? Is it one of their best, mediocre, over-rated in a sense?

I feel it is one of their better ones. Possibly top six or seven but IMO behind Ruby Tuesday, Angie, Beast of Burden, Out of Tears.

In a word I'd have to say it is extremely "mellon Collie" (not sure about that spelling). A very intimate song that has a special place with you.

The song and lyrics make you feel like you had this very same experience even though you may of had nothing close to it.

Any input on your rating of this as far as Stones ballads or Stones songs in general go or how this song strikes you?

Ian

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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #1 - Aug 19^th, 2009 at 11:58pm

Absolutely one of their best ballads. Notable for the lack of Keith guitar; instead, Wayne Perkins on acoustic and Harvey Mandel on electric. What is most special for me, beside the sublime melody and evocative lyrics, is the interplay between Mick and Keith, both in the vocals and in their two piano parts (Keith on electric and Mick on concert). Seeing them perform it in Oakland in 1994 was one of the highlights of any Stones show I've seen.

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Gimme Shelter Rocks Off Regular Offline THE ROLLING STONES #1 Posts: 1,397 Bend, OR Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #2 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.
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Edith Grove Agent Provocateur Offline Disco STILL sucks! Posts: 12,336 New Orleans Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #3 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 5:40am I've been jonesing for a "....from Ian" thread!
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Deathgod Rocks Off Regular Offline The Artist Formerly Known as Daethgod Posts: 676 Ocean Grove Australia Earth Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #4 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 6:15am never seen it live, would love too up there with Worried About You for me Stones at their slutty ballady best
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #5 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 6:24am

One of their best ballads? One of their best SONGS, full stop. One of my all time favourites.

Saw them play it in Hartford in '99. Very nice. The only niggle is that they choose to play a truncated version in concert, leaving out one verse - even at over 7 minutes in length as a studio cut, its a strong enough song to justify a full length version...and the decision to use a duet with Dave Matthews for the version on 'No Security' wasn't a good one. I seem to recall a cracking version of it played on the Bremen show telecast in '98.

Unusual track too, as its actually a mesh of two songs that Mick and Keith had written separately but which worked better when combined. A bit of a masterstroke there. The highpoint of Black and Blue by an absolute mile.

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Brainbell Jangler Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 1,325 Portland, OR Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #6 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:35am Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am: Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible. I saw that show. As I recall, we got a "Sweet Virginia," too.
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #7 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 10:42am

Gazza wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 6:24am:

One of their best ballads? One of their best SONGS, full stop.
The highpoint of Black and Blue by an absolute mile.

Yep.MM and NE are kind of 1 and 1A for me. Unfortunately I heve never heard either one live. They didn't play MM on opening night of NS in Oakland....But it is on the bootleg,so that's a consolation.

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Zack Rocks Off Regular Offline Chiba Face Rules You Bastards! Posts: 1,728 Dakar Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #8 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 11:32am Melancholy, Ian. Melon collie is a bad pun by that wanker from Smashing Pumpkins. I too got a rare live MM - first show of the VL tour. Loved it.
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Some Guy Resident Cretin Offline Posts: 15,844 Atlanta Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #9 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 11:41am Black and Blue smokes!
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erikjjf Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 133 Sweden Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #10 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 1:15pm Gazza wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 6:24am: Saw them play it in Hartford in '99. Very nice.
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luxury Rocks Off Regular Offline Posts: 346 Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #11 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 1:17pm was Carly Simon driving a beat up truck at that time?
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Ian Billen

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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #12 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:21pm

Edith Grove wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 5:40am:

I've been jonesing for a "....from Ian" thread! really?

_____________________________

Where have YOU been?? Due to the shortened subject line availability in the new message board format it is now simply "....Ian" versus the old and out dated "......from Ian".

Get with the times man!

Ian

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Ian Billen Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules Posts: 1,564 USA Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #13 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:22pm Zack wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 11:32am: Melancholy, Ian. Melon collie is a bad pun by that wanker from Smashing Pumpkins. I too got a rare live MM - first show of the VL tour. Loved it. ______________________ Yeah I am aware of this act. Thanks for the correction though. Ian
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #14 - Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:25pm

Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am:

Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.

_______________________

Seen them do it in Pittsburgh on No Security ( I believe they played it there?) and as well in Florida at Gator Stadium for Voodoo Lounge (not sure but I know I saw it at one of these shows ....possibly both).

Mick played the piano. Special tune live as well.

Ian

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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #15 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 6:50am

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:25pm:

Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am:

Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.

_______________________

Seen them do it in Pittsburgh on No Security ( I believe they played it there?) and as well in Florida at Gator Stadium for Voodoo Lounge (not sure but I know I saw it at one of these shows ....possibly both).

Ian

Are you sure, Ian? I looked that up to confirm which one it was for you and I dont see it listed for any of thoss shows.

they played 3 shows in Florida on VL - Tampa, Miami (the PPV show) and Gainesville. They didnt play Memory Motel at any of them.

at the Pitsburgh show in '99 in the slot where they normally played Memory Motel or Moonlight Mile they played 'Fool To Cry' - with Mick on piano.

Maybe that was it?

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Mel Belli Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 1,298	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #16 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 8:38am I saw it done in Philly '94. That night — cold, rainy — was kind of a struggle, I recall ... "Not Fade Away" quite literally did fade away: the wind was doing formidable battle with the sound system.
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #17 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 1:38pm

Brainbell Jangler wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:35am:

Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am:

Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.

I saw that show. As I recall, we got a "Sweet Virginia," too.

In fact SW immediately followed MM in that show.

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platter Ex Member	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #18 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 4:42pm i too like this tune. i especially like the version off of the no security cd. i think dave mathews and micks voices went over well for it. a classic.
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #19 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 7:23pm

Gazza wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 6:50am:

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:25pm:

Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am:

Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.

_______________________

Seen them do it in Pittsburgh on No Security ( I believe they played it there?) and as well in Florida at Gator Stadium for Voodoo Lounge (not sure but I know I saw it at one of these shows ....possibly both).

Ian

Are you sure, Ian? I looked that up to confirm which one it was for you and I dont see it listed for any of thoss shows.

they played 3 shows in Florida on VL - Tampa, Miami (the PPV show) and Gainesville. They didnt play Memory Motel at any of them.

at the Pitsburgh show in '99 in the slot where they normally played Memory Motel or Moonlight Mile they played 'Fool To Cry' - with Mick on piano.

Maybe that was it?

__________________________________

Not so. I have never saw a show where The Stones played "Fool to Cry". I remember the video, my cousin leaning over and saying how he loved the song, and Mick on a smaller piano during Memory Motel. In the video they showed the/a hotel named Memory Motel in older looking footage on a sunny day. I am almost sure it was No Security in Pittsburgh. Could it of been Cleveland or Pittsburgh for Voodoo Lounge?. I saw those shows as well on the VL tour. However I can assure you they did not play Fool to Cry at the Pittsburgh No Security show. I have yet to see The Stones do that song.

Ian

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Holden Rocks Off Regular Online Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 1,299 Tampa Bay Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #20 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 7:34pm Would have been great in SAL.
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LadyJane Rocks Off Regular Offline Stones Purist Posts: 4,929 Gender:	Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian Reply #21 - Aug 21^st, 2009 at 9:22pm Would LOVE to see Memory Motel live. It's one of my absolute favorites and agree that it's the BEST song on BnB. It always makes me cry. always. LJ.
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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #22 - Aug 22^nd, 2009 at 2:33am

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 7:23pm:

However I can assure you they did not play Fool to Cry at the Pittsburgh No Security show. I have yet to see The Stones do that song.

Ian

This is the setlist from the Pittsburgh No Security show:

Jumping Jack Flash
Bitch
You Got Me Rocking
Gimme Shelter
Honky Tonk Women
Fool To Cry
Saint of Me
Some Girls
Paint It Black
-- Introductions --
You Got The Silver (Keith)
Before They Make Me Run (Keith)
Out Of Control
Route 66 (B-stage)
When The Whip Comes Down (B-stage)
Midnight Rambler (B-stage)
Tumbling Dice
It's Only Rock'n Roll
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
Sympathy for the Devil (encore)

http://www.iorr.org/rew99/pittsb.htm

http://rocksoff.org/1999.htm

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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #23 - Aug 22^nd, 2009 at 12:04pm

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 7:23pm:

Gazza wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 6:50am:

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 9:25pm:

Gimme Shelter wrote on Aug 20^th, 2009 at 12:28am:

Great tune. Saw them play it on the No Security tour in Sacramento and it was incredible.

_______________________

Seen them do it in Pittsburgh on No Security ( I believe they played it there?) and as well in Florida at Gator Stadium for Voodoo Lounge (not sure but I know I saw it at one of these shows ....possibly both).

Ian

Are you sure, Ian? I looked that up to confirm which one it was for you and I dont see it listed for any of thoss shows.

they played 3 shows in Florida on VL - Tampa, Miami (the PPV show) and Gainesville. They didnt play Memory Motel at any of them.

at the Pitsburgh show in '99 in the slot where they normally played Memory Motel or Moonlight Mile they played 'Fool To Cry' - with Mick on piano.

Maybe that was it?

__________________________________

Not so. I have never saw a show where The Stones played "Fool to Cry". I remember the video, my cousin leaning over and saying how he loved the song, and Mick on a smaller piano during Memory Motel. In the video they showed the/a hotel named Memory Motel in older looking footage on a sunny day. I am almost sure it was No Security in Pittsburgh. Could it of been Cleveland or Pittsburgh for Voodoo Lounge?. I saw those shows as well on the VL tour. However I can assure you they did not play Fool to Cry at the Pittsburgh No Security show. I have yet to see The Stones do that song.

Ian

I can assure you that they did play it! I specifically researched it for you (see Erik's setlist posted above with reviews of the show)

Memory Motel was played at Cleveland in 1994 though. Immediately after they did 'No Expectations' with lenny Kravitz. Not in Pittsburgh though ('Out of Tears' was played in the 'ballad' slot) , so I guess you saw it in Cleveland '94 and not Pittsburgh '99.

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Ian Billen

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Re: Stones Ballad: "Memory Motel" ....from Ian
Reply #24 - Aug 22^nd, 2009 at 7:05pm

Gazza Wrote:

I can assure you that they did play it! I specifically researched it for you (see Erik's setlist posted above with reviews of the show)

______________________________

*I went with my cousin to The Pittsburgh 99 show, who simply loves, and always has loved Fool To Cry. I spoke to him last night and told him about the track listing from Wikipedia from that show which lists Fool To Cry and he said he really wished they did play it being as he always adored that track but they did not. He was stone sober.

Memory Motel was played at Cleveland in 1994 though. Immediately after they did 'No Expectations' with lenny Kravitz. Not in Pittsburgh though ('Out of Tears' was played in the 'ballad' slot) , so I guess you saw it in Cleveland '94 and not Pittsburgh '99.

______________________________

*I remember Out of Tears from Pittsburgh 94. Mick did not play the piano. He was dead center on the open Mik (may of played the guitar but not the piano). I was second row and I can still see his head up there singing this one. Was great to have a favorite ballad sing along from their latest release. Everybody looked on and sang in admiration that they still produced great ballads we all could enjoy and love.

_______________________________

*Ok I know I saw them do MM at least one time. I remember "No Expectations" at that show well. It was done very good. It suprised me how well they did this one.

Ian

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