Illinois Entertainer July 2022 | Page 19

only known performance of Chicago blues piano legend Big Maceo Merriweather ’ s “ Worried Life Blues .” Favorite pop and R & B covers include a rollicking take of Bobby Troup ’ s durable “ Route 66 ,” Bo Diddley ’ s “ Crackin ’ Up ,” and Chuck Berry ’ s “ Around and Around .” The Stones ' originals include the debut performance of “ Worried About You ,” which would ultimately appear on 1981 ’ s Tattoo You . Wood shares a hot solo with Stewart during the rowdy “ Dance Little Sister .” Having departed the Faces , Wood was still in his first year as an official member of the Rolling Stones . “ Tumbling Dice ” sounds relaxed , loose , and soulful . Afterward , Wood invites everyone in the audience to a post-show party in his hotel room . Jagger adds , “ It might be a bit tight . Can you bring your own beer ?” The raunchy “ Star Star ” is a chugging rocker with a stinging guitar solo from Richards . Other Stones mainstays include 1967 single “ Let ’ s Spend the Night Together ” ( with a ramshackle ending ), Sticky Fingers chestnut “ Brown Sugar ,” and “ It ’ s Only Rock ‘ n ’ Roll ( But I Like It ).” The show concludes with a surging , full-tilt run through evergreen “ Jumpin ’ Jack Flash .” The performance is spread across three vinyl platters , with the three bonus songs on LP4 side A . Although it ’ s non-essential and the sound of Preston ’ s synthesizer licks hasn ’ t aged well , it ’ s fun to hear the long-retired “ Luxury .” The final LP side is etched with the Stones ’ famous tongue and lips logo .
The recording includes Jagger ’ s witty stage banter . “ He ’ s really a jazz drummer ,” says Jagger of Watts . “ He ’ s only doing it for the money .” Jagger identifies a cheeky woman from the night before who pinched his bottom and warns Richards of the danger . Jagger says he hopes the critics in the room have plenty of nice things to drink so they ’ ll write good reviews . 45 years later , it still sounds like a red-hot , intimate set from a great rock and roll band . Top marks .
– Jeff Elbel
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