"In this sticky web that we're all in, behaving decently is no small task." -- Novelist Stacey D'Erasmo

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Turning Over a Rolling Stone

     I don't know why, but I consider this clip completely mesmerizing -- so I thought I'd share. It's the lead guitar part of "Gimme Shelter" as played by Keith Richards, from the 1969 album Let It Bleed.



     If you like this, you may want to know that there are a number of other "isolated tracks" on youtube, and many of them offer a whole new perspective on a song. Another one I thought was pretty cool:  the isolated keyboard and bass track for "Get Back" by the Beatles.

     By the way, as I'm sure Rolling Stones fans are aware, Keith Richards recently published his autobiography, Life. The book came out in paperback just this past week. I must admit I haven't read it, but according to all reports, it covers the lead guitarist of the world's greatest band (or depending on your taste, age or point of view, the world's second or third greatest band) and his marathon journey into music, Mick, marijuana and money -- and also a few things that don't alliterate, such as sex and heroin.

     Enjoy!

6 comments:

Robert the Skeptic said...

Yeah The Stones... not like all the crap people are producing today (though I guess our parents said the same thing).

Rosaria Williams said...

Yeah, they do represent a certain generation, don't they!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Thanks for sharing the clip! I've ordered "Life" at the library. Should be an interesting read - and certainly is evocative of an era. So interesting that the Beatles, who have had such a musical influence over time, were together such a relatively short time and the Stones have rolled on for decades! Who would have ever thought in our youth that we'd see a 60-something Mick prancing around the stage?

Kay Dennison said...

Love it!!!!!!!! Gotta have it -- and the book!

I tripped across a copy (new! albeit paperback) of "Stone Me: The Wit and Wisdom of Keith Richard" on a sale table a while back for a buck. The funny part is that the ex saw it and wanted to borrow it and I said, "OK". I happened by the same store a week later and looked to see if they had another and they did so I bought it and told the ex that he could keep his copy for helping me with my computer.

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Deb said...

You ROCK, dude! :o)

50 years old here. In the 7th grade, I became obsessed with the Stones. My mom got me Hot Rocks for Christmas, and I wore that album out. Gimme Shelter floored me, and to this day, I consider it the best Rolling Stones song ever.

My hubby and I really enjoyed this clip, thank you! That book is on hold at the library and I can't wait to read it.

Did anyone here read Nick Mason's autobiography on Pink Floyd? That was also a fantastic read!

Anonymous said...

I read it from stem to stern on an e-reader and while I enjoyed it, I thought it was never going to finish. Then I saw the size of it in a book store and understood why it took so long to read-It's huge. Who knew that someone who seemed to be stoned 1/2 his life could remember so much.
I have a whole new respect for this incredibly talented musician who really just wanted to be a blues guitarist.
Read it but be prepared to cycle through a few pages, otherwise a must read for any Stones fan.