The Second Disc
Expanded and Remastered Music News
Tattoo You: Rolling Stones Digital Archive Unveils 1981 Concert
http://theseconddisc.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/stones-hampton-coliseum1.jpgw=3...When the Rolling Stones opened the Stones Archive for business late in 2011 with the first-ever legitimate release of The Brussels Affair, it was greeted as somewhat of a mixed blessing. The Archive promised to be a place where fans of the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band “can listen to unheard music, view unseen photographs and films, and look at rare merchandise. Fans have the opportunity to buy items such as signed lithographs, deluxe box sets, even personalised merchandise and tour gear in the shop.” Of course, some lamented the lack of physical counterparts for the Archive’s releases. Others were distressed by the lack of high-fidelity FLAC files for American customers; while purchasers abroad can choose between FLAC and MP3, the Archive’s American licensee (Google Music, via Android Market) offers only MP3. So it’s “business as usual” for the just-announced second release from the Archives. Whereas The Brussels Affair preserved a 1973 concert, the Archives jumps ahead to the waning days of 1981 for Hampton Coliseum: Live 1981.
Recorded in Hampton, Virginia on December 18, 1981, the digital album presents a lengthy concert from the final leg of the Tattoo You tour, and also one of six tour dates taped for radio’s King Biscuit Flower Hour. That night in Virginia, the Stones tore through some of their latest hits from the critically and commercially successful album: “Start Me Up,” “Hang Fire,” “Little T&A,” “Black Limousine,” “Neighbours” and “Waiting on a Friend.” Though Tattoo You was largely assembled from spruced-up outtakes (some dating back as far as a decade), the material felt fresh, and the Rolling Stones were rewarded with their final No. 1 album to date in America. The album was still on audience members’ minds at the time of the December gig, having just been released in late August.
Hit the jump for more on Hampton Coliseum: Live 1981, including the full track listing!
Like The Brussels Affair, Hampton Coliseum is a much-bootlegged concert appearing for the first time in remastered sound, and early reports have indicated that the new release is a distinct remix from the booted versions. Highlights include Mick Jagger leading an audience sing-along during “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and joking with saxophone great Ernie Watts, who joined the Stones on the expansive tour. (He took over the parts played by the uncredited saxophone colossus, Sonny Rollins, on Tattoo You.) Jagger was deadpan as he informed the audience that Ernie is no relation to drummer Charlie Watts! The Stones paid homage to their Motown contemporaries with roaring takes on Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ “Going to a Go Go” and The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination.” And the hits just keep on coming in the concert’s final songs: “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction.”
Wolfgang’s Vault has been offering this concert for sale, but the Stones Archive edition expands that version of the title with four additional tracks: “20 Flight Rock,” “Going to a Go Go,” the complete “Let Me Go” and the band introductions. Hampton Coliseum Live 1981 is available now at Android Market as 320 kbps MP3s for the price of $4.99 for the entire concert. As the title just went on sale today, the official Stones Archive site hasn’t yet been updated, but we’re confident that it soon will be. The Android Market link can be found below!
The Rolling Stones, Hampton Coliseum: Live 1981 (Rolling Stones, digital-only, 2012)
Under My Thumb
When the Whip Comes Down
Let’s Spend the Night Together
Shattered
Neighbours
Black Limousine
Just My Imagination
20 Flight Rock
Going to a Go Go
Let Me Go
Time Is On My Side
Beast of Burden
Waiting on a Friend
Let It Bleed
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Band Intros
Little T&A
Tumbling Dice
She’s So Cold
Hang Fire
Miss You
Honky Tonk Women
Brown Sugar
Start Me Up
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Satisfaction
All tracks recorded December 18, 1981 at Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia.