EXILE ON MAIN STREET

Here’s an album released by The Rolling Stones 42 years ago that still has people talking…

In the spring of 1971 the Rolling Stones left Britain evading taxes. Mick Jagger settled in Paris, and guitarist Keith Richards rented a villa near Nice, France. The other members followed, along with the band’s mobile recording truck (and some unknown substances). They chose Richard’s chateau basement to record this double album that summer, widely regarded as the group’s best release.

The songs covered the gamut. From dark and murky congested sounding mono tracks with repetitive blues backing to sharp and crisp stereo rock and roll. There was even some soul and gospel thrown into the mix. Like The Beatles “White Album” and Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk, Exile showed a newfound range of possibilities from the band while confounding fans with unfamiliar material.

Released in the spring 1972, Exile remains a wonderful listen, but it’s my opinion that you are better off with the original vinyl (Artisan cut) or the unremastered CD. Cleaning up the sound doesn’t do the raw (and sometimes drugy) material justice. One listen to the 2010 remastered vinyl should convince anyone of that. Fortunately the 2011 Japanese SHM-SACD is wonderful.

(Cover Photographs: Unknown and Robert Frank)