Black and Blue

by The Rolling Stones

Overview

The Rolling Stones recorded Black and Blue while auditioning Mick Taylor's replacement, so it's unfair to criticize it, really, for being longer on grooves and jams than songs, especially since that's what's good about it. Yes, the two songs that are undeniable highlights are "Memory Motel" and "Fool to Cry," the album's two ballads and, therefore, the two that had to be written and arranged, not knocked out in the studio; they're also the ones that don't quite make as much sense, though they still work in the context of the record. No, this is all about groove and sound, as the Stones work Ron Wood into their fabric. And the remarkable thing is, apart from "Hand of Fate" and "Crazy Mama," there's little straight-ahead rock & roll here. They play with reggae extensively, funk and disco less so, making both sound like integral parts of the Stones' lifeblood. Apart from the ballads, there might not be many memorable tunes, but there are times that you listen to the Stones just to hear them play, and this is one of them. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/26/2020
Label:	Interscope / Polydor
UPC:	0602508773235
Rank:	6303

Tracks

1. Hot Stuff
2. Hand of Fate
3. Cherry Oh Baby
4. Memory Motel
5. Hey Negrita
6. Melody
7. Fool to Cry
8. Crazy Mama

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Rolling Stones   Primary Artist
Bill Wyman   Bass,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass)
Wayne Perkins   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Ron Wood   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Nicky Hopkins   Organ,Keyboards
Ollie E. Brown   Percussion
Billy Preston   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards
Arif Mardin   Horn
Harvey Mandel   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Keith Richards   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Electric)
Charlie Watts   Drums,Drums (Bass)
Mick Jagger   Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Keyboards,Vocal Harmony

Technical Credits

Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Bob Ludwig   Digital Remastering
The Glimmer Twins   Producer
Ron Wood   Inspiration
Billy Preston   Inspiration
Arif Mardin   Arranger
Keith Richards   Composer
Eric Donaldson   Composer
Mick Jagger   Composer
Stewart Whitmore   Mastering