Elementary, my dear Ian.

They'll put together a few songs as a new album. Then they'll go on the road and say its written to be 'performed live' or something. They'll do 3 or 4 songs from it per show at first, which will be down to a couple by Christmas.

I'll only be seeing them on the European leg anyway, by which stage it'll be down to one. Or even less as was the case at some shows in the second half of the last tour.

If the Stones could get away with not putting out a new record to herald a new tour, they'd do it. The odd thing is that most people in the sort of audience they've aimed themselves at the 21st century dont care about new songs and the band dont have enough self belief in the material to perform much of it. Unlike, say. '78 when they literally confronted an audience by filling half a show with previously unplayed material and rammed it down their throats. It did no harm. It was the most successful album of their career and the fans came back in their millions next time three years later making it their biggest tour to date at that point (and the new album they toured behind continued the commercial success of 'Some Girls' and even outstripped it)

The only real logic in putting out a new record is to pay lip service to critics by trying to convince them that they're a current band - the same critics who would slaughter them for being a nostalgia act trapped in a timewarp for ONLY playing old material, but who would also criticise them for playing new material that hardly anyone cares about. If they were really honest, the Stones could and should have renamed the last tour "Licks Part 2". Realistically, its reasonable to expect the next one to effectively be 'Licks Part 3'. It'll coincide with the band's golden anniversary and as a result nostalgia will be very much in vogue whether the Stones want it to be or not. Nostalgia is a very profitable and comfortable old horse, so you can bet they'll gladly saddle up and ride it.  It wont require much effort.

Installment # 241 of the "they're writing together" series.

Next installment Fall 2010...

does anyone have any vicodin?

No one has written a song in the last 20 years that has stayed with me longer than a few days. So what makes me think the Stones ever will again? There'll never be another glory run like 68-73 ....cause it's all over now.......

Life is about growing up and your interests change and relationships change why would you all want to deny these guys their right to be human and do the same as us?

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 1:27pm:



..and I'm 'guessing' you're wrong.

And how do you write songs with someone you see for a couple of hours a year, who lives on another continent for 11 months of the year and who doesnt even use a phone, let alone the internet?

They cant even agree publicly on whether Mick Taylor played on the Exile bonus songs for goodness sake. Thats how joined at the hip they are.

Maybe they're collaborating by fax. As we type.

I'm sure they are capable of phoning each other as at least business associates often do espec since Patti is doing a little better but probably hesitant to go off on the road etc. wouldn't you think?  Plus it seems the muse has left the building is what I have discerned from recent lyrics.  Plus maybe they are still burned out from the last run.  Plus they know we have no money.

texile wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 12:40pm:



I would love new material. I enjoyed the last album. My enthusiasm for it has waned with time, but I still like it a lot. I'll take anything - new material, archives releases - anything but repackaged hits albums and badly edited live releases.  In the long run, I'm more interested in a properly organised, assembled and maintained archives series - but a new record would be preferable in the short term.

However, I realise that its not all about lunatics who have a borderline fundamentalist disorder towards the band's career - lunatics like me, that is.

Plus, I honestly dont think Mick and Keith give a flying fuck about making new Rolling Stones music. Four albums in 25 years speaks volumes - think about it , we're now at a stage where 'Dirty Work' , a record seen by many as a 'latter day' Stones album with the band in disarray, marks the half way point of their career as a band.

We've been fed this 'I'm about to call Mick to see if he wants to work' shite for a couple of years. Can't people get the hint that their hearts really aren't in it and that if they ARE going to put out something to 'justify' (not 'promote') a tour, its more a case of going through the motions to make it look good? They'll record it, put it out, talk it up in the press - and then will largely ignore it when they go on the road.

No 'artist' should make a record they dont believe in. If they're going to make one, then make it a good one - and ram the fucker down every doubter's throats.

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 1:27pm:


http://www.dreamwidth.org/userpic/3162/127

One way to eliminate the guesswork is by asking Ronnie when you see him at Butler next month.

Installment # 242 will write itself...

Addicted ()
Date: August 13, 2010 13:39


He's writing the final chapter(s) of his autobiography and it's a bit past deadline... That's busy!
If you've ever set foot in a newspaper room, spoken with a reporter or an author past their deadlines... You know they're busy - because they're NOT speaking to anyone untill the job's done.
I know he didn't have time to hang out with an old pal when in NYC recently, because of all the book-stress.

Not to worry.

They can tour behind 'I Feel Like Playing'...

Gazza wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 1:36pm:


_____________________________________

Gazza. We don't have ALL the facts about what they do day in and day out. Charlie and Keith's wife got cancer, went for treatment and operations and we didn't know jack (for one example) for over a year!. In today's age the media lets out what they want when they want is the bottum line.  They were obviously respectful of both Charlie and Keith.

For example : Many didn't think they could of written or recorded much about the time of the press conference for A Bigger Bang came along and Mick stated at the press conference it was already 85% finished. Looking back at the session listings for the recordings of that album it appears he was pretty dead on at that point...

Every time we go through this. They gotta sit down and work together sooner or later Gazz. That's the fact of the matter. Folks can spin it and say well Mick wrote most of this or they didn't collaborate much on that but the fact of the matter is they have to get together sooner or later to do something as they always have as they are planning on continuing as always by what the band members stated and the new record contract. They are in the same band you know... What I am saying is by now .... they would of already got together at a location and started working on the material. I'm sure this time is not that much different as far as a time scale is concerned. Not saying it is an even 50-50 split in creativity. I'm simply saying they are easily due by now to be working together some where if they are to have an album out by next summer/fall.

Why is it every time it is opinion around here that isn't going to happen???

Still lost on this one. If they are to release an album next year by late fall there will be reports they got together somewhere and been working on an album for a little while already(if life doesn't get in the way again).

Still wondering why nobody thinks they are, or ever will get together and work on material?? Remember they have a brand new record contract with new recording mentioned ...

Gazz I don't know why yourself and some others think the notion of them getting together is so odd. Keith was even staying at Micks house last time they did an album at this time of year. Sure in their off time they barely see each other but when they work on a project they do get together and work on it man... it's fact. You state they may get together and write a "few" songs. Not for anything but the last album they released is the second longest Rolling Stones album to date. What are there? 18 songs on it or something?


Ian

.

>Gazza. We don't have ALL the facts about what they do day in and day out. Charlie and Keith's wife got cancer, went for treatment and operations and we didn't know jack (for one example) for over a year!.

Not true. Charlie's cancer story was announced at the end of August 2004. He had been diagnosed a few weeks earlier and when the story leaked he was photographed attending radiotherapy

>In today's age the media lets out what they want when they want is the bottum line.  They were obviously respectful of both Charlie and Keith.

Utter nonsense. They didnt know about Keiths wife because she chose to keep it quiet until it suited her and none of the people around her leaked it. With Charlie, it was a newspaper revelation that he was having treatment. You'll usually find that when a paper has an exclusive, they'll present their info to the person concerned, and there'll usually be some kind of 'damage limitation' type acknowledgement in order to make it less sensational than the original intent. If you think the British press (in this case the 'Sunday People') have 'respect' for anyone, you're on another planet. This is the same press who told the world that Keith was a borderline vegetable post-Fiji and would probably never play again. These fuckers would run over their grandmother for a headline and for a few extra thousand copies. Only a paedophile has less moral fibre than a tabloid journalist.


>For example : Many didn't think they could of written or recorded much about the time of the press conference for A Bigger Bang came along

Who are these 'many'? It was public knowledge that they had been got together the previous summer and had been working on material by around September-October. There were even press photos showing Mick and Keith in the studio easily available by late 2004.  For example,



>and Mick stated at the press conference it was already 85% finished. Looking back at the session listings for the recordings of that album it appears he was pretty dead on at that point...

The Bigger Bang press conference was 10 May 2005. The recordings were finished by that point. The album was mixed in June 2005 and was mastered on 28 June 2005. I'm not sure what point youre trying to make here.

>Every time we go through this.

Yep. And every time you make these wild, sweeping generalisations that most people didnt know they were working on a record - maybe like last time, someone will take the trouble of ploughing through the archives to show posts from 2004 indicating that it was public knowledge that the band had got together and were working on songs.

>They gotta sit down and work together sooner or later Gazz. That's the fact of the matter.

I didnt say this wasnt the case. I'm merely saying there's nothing to suggest its been happening of late.

> Folks can spin it and say well Mick wrote most of this or they didn't collaborate much on that but the fact of the matter is they have to get together sooner or later to do something as they always have as they are planning on continuing as always by what the band members stated and the new record contract.

'Do something' is not the same as 'writing together'. You're moving the goalposts here. The 'new record contract' doesnt make any hard demands for a new record. There's a provision for it, but its not like they're contractually obliged to deliver it. What if they broke up before they delivered a new record? Nothing UMG can do about that.

>They are in the same band you know... What I am saying is by now .... they would of already got together at a location and started working on the material.

Ian, they dont write together. Thats probably the case for about 90% of their original material in the last 35-40 years. The credit "Jagger-Richards" means very little. They write separately and then get together and work on arrangements and ideas. They dont NEED to be in the same continent, let alone in the same room, when they start from scratch. This isnt 1964 with Andrew Oldham hovering over them wanting a hit record.

>I'm sure this time is not that much different as far as a time scale is concerned. Not saying it is an even 50-50 split in creativity. I'm simply saying they are easily due by now to be working together some where if they are to have an album out by next summer/fall.

Doesnt have to work that way. It depends how much material they have and how advanced it is. Bridges To Babylon's first demo sessions took place in December 1996. They recorded it in spring 1997 and it was out by September 1997. Steel Wheels - Mick and Keith got together Jan/Feb 1989 - album out by September 1989. With Voodoo Lounge and ABB they started earlier (a full year before the records were released) but they obviusly had more time on their hands and werent working to a tight deadline.

>Why is it every time it is opinion around here that isn't going to happen???

You must be reading a different thread than I am.

>Still lost on this one. If they are to release an album next year by late fall there will be reports they got together somewhere and been working on an album for a little while already(if life doesn't get in the way again).

Yes. The key words are 'will be'. Not 'have been'.

>Still wondering why nobody thinks they are, or ever will get together and work on material?? Remember they have a brand new record contract with new recording mentioned ...

Nobody? Where are you seeing this?

>Gazz I don't know why yourself and some others think the notion of them getting together is so odd. Keith was even staying at Micks house last time they did an album at this time of year.

It was a bit later than this, but thats a fair point. Doesnt mean to say its the normal procedure though.  There was a significant difference though. In 2004, their drummer was getting cancer treatment and their other guitarist was in and out of rehab and barely contributed to the album until the time came to add a few overdubs, most of which he added in a few days in spring 2005.

> Sure in their off time they barely see each other but when they work on a project they do get together and work on it man... it's fact.

I didnt say anything to the contrary. Its a bit hard to make a record if they dont.


>You state they may get together and write a "few" songs. Not for anything but the last album they released is the second longest Rolling Stones album to date. What are there? 18 songs on it or something?

I didnt say that. I said "they'll put together a few songs as a new album".

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 6:39pm:


Jesus H Christ.

They have a reason for not wanting the press to be aware that a band member's wife had a life threatening illness.

They have no reason whatsoever for being quiet if Mick and Keith were spending time together. Its not a front page story, and theres no invasion of privacy issue. No one but a Stones fanatic really gives a shit if they're writing, recording or indulging in mutual masturbation.

Alright so where has Mick and Keith been for the past couple weeks? Does anyone have the slightest clue?

From someone on IORR who is handling publicty for Keith's book in Norway:
Addicted ()
Date: August 13, 2010 13:39


He's writing the final chapter(s) of his autobiography and it's a bit past deadline... That's busy!
If you've ever set foot in a newspaper room, spoken with a reporter or an author past their deadlines... You know they're busy - because they're NOT speaking to anyone untill the job's done.
I know he didn't have time to hang out with an old pal when in NYC recently, because of all the book-stress.


Mick as I also mentioned earlier in this thread was spotted fishing in France recently. http://www.iorr.org/talk/read.php?1,1296995
Any other questions Ian?

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 7:18pm:

Umm, the publicist is in Norway.

Secretariat just lapped you...

texile wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 7:34pm:



__________________________________

Now, he is someone who is proven reputable. If he stated that very recently he spoke to Keith and that Keith said nothing has really been started yet well then I would hold that in a pretty high degree. I'd say the only way it most likely wouldn't be true is if Keith actually lied to German about it.

That is different. Bill German is a well known source who is proven to be in good touch with The Stones personally before and as well he knows their doings from time to time and has been pretty accurate in filling us in before. Then I would take it for what it was...

Ian

texile wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 7:34pm:

I just received a private message from him on Facebook.

[quote author=left shoe shuffle link=1282718355/25#32 date=1282780715]
FFS man, it's time to quit while you're behind.
Like Secretariat and the field behind...

Of course family and friends knew.

What exactly did her family and friends stand to gain by making an intensely personal and private struggle public?

________________________________

.... Nothing but people talk mate. Word gets around unintentionally. It doesn't take long. And in this high profile situation if someone from the press wanted to they could of. It wasn't THAT big of a story.

Seems you're also unfamiliar with doctor/patient confidentiality.
That same confidentiality applies to the hospitals where these doctors, nurses, et al. work.

___________________________________

I worked at a major hospital full time for a decade. I know what hospitals are like because I worked in three different departments in one for ten years. Yes it IS confidential BUT ... when someone goes in or has a stay at a hospital ...even in a private room at the end of the hall people find out.

*True Story for example James Brown (yes ...theee James Brown) once actually came to the hospital I worked to see a woman who sewed and made many of his outfits. She was quite sick. He went discreetly right to her room for a while. Left. By the end of the day the whole hospital knew. Every floor. I knew within two hours of his leaving and at the time I was working three floors below in food service. People talk.

Most of the time it isn't about PURPOSELY blowing the whistle. It is the mere fact that people cannot keep quiet about each-other let alone celebs. Word gets out very quickly. As The James Brown scenario.

Nobody was supposed to know. Here I was, a 24 year old kid in dietary ...a "nobody"... even though I worked a t the hospital. What right, or why did I know the whole scenario? ...but in two hours I knew James Brown was there, I knew who he was visiting, and I knew she was very sick.

It isn't because Keith and his family and all the docs and friends were so secretive. It is virtually impossible to keep under wraps. They were given a bit of leniency because it was TOP TOP shelf news. The press never really investigated.


Ian

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 8:17pm:



________________________

No he wasn't. But for cryin out loud what if he was?? You better believe if he or his wife was the friggin world would of known. Geez he was only there for two hours and I and everyone knew. It was the talk of the hospital. Many people still remember the visit.  What if his wife was having an operation and needed a bit of a stay??? How could they of kept that under wraps? They couldn't of. Same is true with Keith's wife. It is Keith Richard's from The Rolling Stones. I am sure people saw him visiting or going in to an office or a room right? Maybe a nurse checkin his wifes blood pressure. Maybe an orderly. Maybe the anesthesiologist. Maybe a very respected ultrasound tech who did a check on his wife?? Maybe the nurse carrying in the food tray (they would of taken it from food service I'm sure in this instance which would instantly draw attention). Are you telling me nobody breathed a word. None of them went home and told their wife or husband?  ....What if this orderly's cousin works for the local paper and they speak? What if the orderly happens to mention this to his cousin. Things happen.. The reason we didn't find out is not bc of all this great secrecy. Part of it may of been press leniency and the other part is it was not the news of Michael Jackson dying.


Ian

I'm confused, what's this "new contract" business ? Is it the thing they signed with Universal a couple of years ago? I seem to remember Gazza mentioning that the word was that there was no provision for a new album ?

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 9:11pm:

I give up. Yes it's all a ruse. The album is done and will be released next week. It'll be called to Ian with love.

Photo of Mick on holiday in Austria a few days ago



Keith, acoustic guitar and quill appear to be just out of shot...

Article here (in German) - http://www.kleinezeitung.at/nachrichten/kultur/musik/2457328/ein-phantom-weinstr...

Nothing of note in the piece other than apparently he's promised backstage passes to the people he stayed with for the next tour.

gimmekeef wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 7:08am:


Austria, lad - not Australia.....

I thought the Austria pic looked a bit formal!

Spain, Austria, Italy. Looks like Europe's getting a 2010 tour after all. In which case, there's bound to be a couple of postponements soon.

Sounds also like Keith's going to be doing a reasonable amount of promotion for his book, which comes out in October.

Can't imagine there'll be much Stones activity until that's all finished.

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 9:27pm:

Thanks, so nothing new...classic Ian...

Some Guy wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 2:12pm:



emotional rescue part II?

I was enjoying Reading this rather mad thread but the esteemed poster Ian doesn't seem to have any further argument. That's disappointing cause this was a hoot! You all really killed this one off with your rationality. Damn you Gazza! Damn you and your pesky facts!

Btw, the whole thing about Mick promising backstage passes to peoplewas probably him just being cute so to speak. Not as if he's gonna run home and call up Keith and Charlie so he doesn't break his promise.

I just realized Mick has been with L'wren Scott for close to nine years! And not one tabloid story!
That's longer than Marianne and Bianca and halfway into the Jerry Hall years. He seems genuinely content. I'm ready for him to start writing songs about this woman because I want to know what's keeping him in check.
And I wondered, does that make L'wren a Stones chick? Or has that time passed?

SoulPlunderer wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 7:26pm:




Ian's speculations enjoyable?  Afraid we're going to have to bring you to the station for further questioning.  

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 10:45pm:


 Excellent...now we be trippin' Dragnet style.

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 27^th, 2010 at 12:07am:



Are we talking about Europe? Cause I'm there too and I haven't seen either of them!

And I found the speculation enjoyable because it was funny and he kept coming back even when his arguments had been shot down. He's insane but you gotta admire the enthusiasim!

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 27^th, 2010 at 12:07am:


http://www.youtube.com/embed/KX5jNnDMfxA

SoulPlunderer wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 7:26pm:




Ian would have got away with it if it wasnt for those pesky, meddling kids



SoulPlunderer wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 7:26pm:



Yeah. Thats true enough. Like, whats he gonna say to his hosts - "thanks for the barbecue, but as for Stones tickets - fuck off!" ? Standard tabloid space filler.

mick an keef are in the appartment next door writing exile 2.
how do i knoww?
1st of all i live in france and 2nd i havent seen or heard them. hiding from the press and all that...
from the things ive not heard through the wall its going to be great.
we ll have a tour soon, with tickets at 20 euros.
and now if you excuse me i gotta contine the beerd drinking with alice in wonderland...

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 27^th, 2010 at 11:24pm:


Yes. I did.

In which case, why persist in speculating that he and Mick may be 'together' when you've known for a few days at least that Mick is in Europe.  

SoulPlunderer wrote on Aug 26^th, 2010 at 8:28pm:



I'm ready for the L'wren songs. I'm not so sure all Mick's songs are about Jerry - that relationship was the most public and i think that's why people assume they are, plus Jerry keeps telling everyone they are, but Mick's closet is filled with women from his past who he dissapointed and, like Gazza said, don't underestimate Keith's place in Jagger's box of inspirations.

Worth mentioning also that a few of the more world-weary reflective songs Jagger wrote which ended up on ABB were written originally for 'Alfie' but werent used - presumably they werent done in time or else he had greater plans for them.

'Laugh I Nearly Died' was certainly one, and I think 'Streets of Love' may have been another. When you think of the latter part of the plot of the movie, its quite feasible that 'Biggest Mistake' may well be another.

I honestly cant see Jagger pouring his soul out so openly on record about the demise of his marriage and how he fucked it up.

texile wrote on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 3:41pm:


_________________________________

It is my opinion that most of the time Mick is just speaking about a "situation" with no two specific people in mind. I don't think he writes based on his "personal experiences" most of the time. I think Mick writes about general scenarios concerning lost loves, heart ache, ya-da ya-da. Possibly even fictional situations. To me, it doesn't seem as though he writes about his own personal romantic experiences much... maybe here and again but not much.

That's always how I took it. As well Mick writes about other people most of the time....not about himself or any issues with him it seems. I am sure he has at times written of himself ..or about Keith possibly... but in my opinion most of the time his writing is based on situations, general scenarios, or other people (like Dangerous Beauty) not himself.


Ian

Gazza wrote on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 2:53pm:


Biggest Mistake is a fairly fitting title for that whole movie and its accompanying soundtrack.

It's sort of all in the Charlie in Paris thread.