It appears I am in the minority when it comes to the Little Red Rooster performance. I really like it a lot. It sounds like a good slow blues. All across the internet people are saying basically the same thing-that Keith is a shell and the end of the band is near.

I disagree. 

Reading these boards filled with negativity is nothing new. No matter what board I join, no matter the topic (cars, home theater, movies, radio, etc.) , thing usually end up negative. The car I enjoy, the movie I like, the radio station I listen to-most people disagree with me.  My lesson learned is I will spend more time listening to music than reading about it on a computer screen.

Oh Steel  wheels , you do sound like Charlie brown tonight.   And u are right.  Too much negativity is never a good thang.

BILL PERKS wrote on Feb 25^th, 2012 at 10:38pm:

The contrast in performances this week from Mick @ the WH & Keith @ The Apollo are just stunning.

Rolling Stone magazine's reviewer is ecstatically positive. Go figure. Maybe it sounds better live than on YouTube

Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and More Celebrate Hubert Sumlin in New York
'It's good to be back,' Richards told crowd. 'It doesn't get any better than this.'

Matt Kent/Kevin Mazur/WireImage

By PATRICK DOYLE
February 25, 2012 8:05 PM ET

Close to midnight last night at New York's Apollo Theater, Eric Clapton had just finished a thunderous take on classic blues number "Forty Four" when Keith Richards ambled onstage with no introduction. Wearing a dark blazer, long green scarf, fedora and a huge grin, he embraced Clapton and stood center stage to massive applause, delivering a smoky take on Wolf’s "Going Down Slow," a chronicle of a frail man who has savored life’s greatest pleasures. "Man, I've had things that kings and queens will never have," Richards growled. "In fact, they don't even know about them, let alone get ’em. And good times? Mmmm...." He hovered around Clapton and then stood sidestage by the piano while Clapton delivered a throaty verse and then weaved clean-toned solos with young Austin guitarist Gary Clark Jr.

There were many highlights at Howlin for Hubert – a tribute to guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who played in Howlin’ Wolf’s band for decades and passed away on December 4th due to heart failure – but that was the peak. It was Richards’ first major musical appearance since the Rolling Stones last toured five years ago, and he showed little rust. After "Going Down Slow,"  he sat down and played metallic 12-string slide while singing "Little Red Rooster," and then strapped on a Gibson electric guitar to sing and trade licks with Clapton on "Spoonful." "It’s good to be back," Richards said, peering up to the balcony before breaking into a cackle. "Goddamn, it’s good to be back."

The entire show, which featured all-stars including Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Jimmie Vaughan, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II and Elvis Costello –  plus overlooked legends like Wolf’s former bandmates, harmonica player James Cotton, guitarist Jody Williams and saxophonist Eddie Shaw – was one for the history books. The event originated while Sumlin was still alive as a celebration to mark his 80th birthday. It stayed that way; Guest after guest recounted Sumlin’s unfaltering positivity and passion for his instrument. At one point, Toni Ann Mamary, Sumlin’s longtime manager and companion, tearfully recalled Sumlin tellling her, "I’m gonna be there. I don’t care if I play – I’m going to be there." She added, "Can you feel him?"

The night began with a film featuring classic Sumlin performance footage and a recent interview with him, where Sumlin humorously described how he found his own piercing signature sound after Wolf strongly urged him to lose the guitar pick. The stage lights then revealed two massive portraits of Sumlin behind the stage. His sunburst Stratocaster sat on a stand at center stage, with his trademark feathered cap hanging off of it. Clapton emerged – with short, slicked-back hair and wearing a blazer – with Cotton, Sumlin’s old musical partner.  Clapton kicked the night off howling an acoustic, stomping "Key to the Highway," complemented by Cotton’s razor-sharp harp fills.

Each set came and went in a flash. Performers were backed by an incredible house band including Steve Jordan and Jim Keltner, two of the best drummers alive, bassist Willie Weeks and pianist Ivan Neville. An early highlight was Jimmie Vaughan performing an electric solo version of "Six Strings Down," a tribute to fallen gunslingers. When he sang "Albert Collins up there / Muddy and Lightnin’ too / Albert and Freddy / playing the blues," it was easy to feel more than one spirit in the room. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and 77-year-old Jody Williams jammed on Williams' ferocious 1957 instrumental "Lucky Lou," Shepherd unleashing flurries of loud, screeching notes.  The New York Dolls’ David Johanson – who sang lead at many of Sumlin’s shows in recent years – emerged for "Evil," replicating Howlin' Wolf’s vocals with a weathered cat-scratch howl.

Another video of "Spoonful" in better quality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpEnAs8vuI&feature=player_embedded#!

Nellcote wrote on Feb 26^th, 2012 at 10:39am:

Nellie,your not going to make real wild child sleep with the fishes are you?

Doxa wrote on Feb 26^th, 2012 at 12:21pm:


You should hang around more.  

I just watched the YouTube videos of the event. Read all the comments.  Thought about it. Here's my comments.

Everyone "peaks" ~ it's true KEEF, MICK, even Clapton and Beck are all past their prime. But that doesnt mean they should hang it up! Music is their LIFE, and even if they arent the same as they used to be (and NONE of us are) I dont see that to be a reason to discontinue doing the thing in life that brings them happiness! The Stones really started with playing THE BLUES, so getting old is one sure reason to sing the blues! Nobody likes getting old, but I dont picture them in rocking chairs crying over the fact that they cant do what they used to do. I still love seeing KEEF play, and the head injury made it difficult for KEEF to sing and play at the same time. I dont hold it against him and I will continue to support my band, The ROlling Stones, all the way to the end baby. I am not expecting to see them play like they are young again. But I am expecting to see them do what they love to do most, play music. So it aint over until yet! Rock on!

, Gazza wrote on Feb 26^th, 2012 at 1:57pm:


Gazza, you are the voice of reason. I am the voice of longevity. If the Stones were a car, the mileage would be way up, it needs a trip to the body shop, a paint job, and a freshly charged battery, and the machine should keep rolling until the wheels fall off! With the proper attention, some well built cars can go for 50+ years even if they have been parked in the garage for a while! Tune them up and give them some gas!

Gazza wrote on Feb 26^th, 2012 at 2:32pm:

So what you're saying is,we need a Brand New Car? BTW,weren't you at this show Gazza?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pS6HGIu-7g

All this talk of cars....

Gazza- as always- has made a good point.

Musicians who love their music  don't quite making music.  They may stop touring for awhile, but they continue to create and play their instruments.  As much as I'd love to see a Stones show on a much smaller scale and without the hoops, whistles, and sequined jackets, I can be happy with the memories of them from them in the past.  Remember, it broke our hearts to see Keith struggling on stage 5 years ago.  Maybe Jagger could get himself in shape for THE Rolling Stones as he has taken better care of himself over the years,  but Keith on the other hand.....

To be hashed and rehashed, and rehashed again.  Time will tell...

Rolling Stone review:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/keith-richards-eric-clapton-buddy-guy-and...