Actually you are wrong - that might be a re-birth:
from the Bill wyman thread:
>>I was at Sunday's show.
For the first three songs I thought, "What shitty and pedestrian bass-playing" - it really spoiled any Stones band-groove for me.
Then came Ain't too proud - and Darryl was fine for that.
She was Hot - I think their best momment all night - and guitars drums and jagger were quite tight and into it - I forgot about the bass.
After that - well they are not really a R&R guitar band anymore - they rely so heavily on Chuck and others, and Ronnie or Keith just turn it on intermittently - I just enjoyed the "event" - enjoyed seeing the stones enjoying themselves - but really took little notice of the bass-playing or bass player thereafter. He does a good "job" on Miss You, granted. But other than that he's functional. Worse rely, his on-beat style actually detracts from the-flow. Just TOO rhythmic.
They are not a R&R BAND without an integral R&R bass-player. Just have to accept that and enjoy them for what they are now - a rather inconsistent touring nostalgia act that require a bass player to complete the sound, as they now require horns, back-ups and Mr Marvel on keyboards - to complete their sound.
It was a fun gig - a spectacle - an occasion - a "show" - but not rock and roll - that's a BAND thing.
Wyman is what they are missing. It's all "Rock" now with no roll.
"You don't know what you got till it's gone".<<
I had a great time - but have no illusions that they are the greatest anything.
They have a marvellous frontman and a splendid drummer. But Keith and Ronnie are playing too much as showmen. I wish they'd ignore the audience and would themselves create the vibe, rather than following Jagger, Watts and Chuck.
When they were the Greatest band - Keith would lead start to finish. He would define and control the pace. This did happen quite often on the Licks tour (when he would frequently be let down by Ronnie). But he just doesn't bother much now. How hard can it be to sustain the Rhythm guitar throughout on Wanna Hold You. Why not sling an acoustic on for Silver. It's his song, dognabit.
And on three different nights in one week how difficult would it have been for Keith to have different sets each night - even if they were mainly all his old chestnuts (Happy, BTMMR, Slipping, All About You, Silver, Wanna Hold You).
And .... this is not a whinge .... but an observation ..... There was a third electric guitar playing on IORR (performed on B-stage). Thanks Blondie.
Edit: (additions from the Wyman thread, in reply to CousinLou):
>>I don't like Rough Justice, and I wouldn't call it (or anything the Stones did on Sunday) "awesome" - but yes, the guitars were very lively. Not a a bad experience. But the bass was a drag.
"it is worth it and should bring a tear right to your eye"
I think it was worth it, certainly was for me. But that doesn't stop me being critical of a Keith who can't sustain simple rhythm through one song, let alone a whole show, and who stops a solo (during sympathy) in order to shake hands with the crowd. It wasn't a bad solo either! There were glimpses of his genius. He was "on" on Tues and Thurs apparently.
Tear to the eye? If I were to cry, it would be because of what Keith has lost and what we are losing.
Nevertheless, a quite moving experience - to see the genuine emotion that Mick and Keith had about the last show of what, for them, is quite a mammoth outing. They have a right to feel proud and emotional, even if they aren't what they once were as a band.
It was obviously THEIR night, THEIR party and THEY had a good time
Now that they've made loads of money and have nothing more to prove, I wish they'd do some low-key gigs concentrating on Blues mainly. Take on Bill again. Play for the joy and get a band groove going, (i.e. no "spare parts"

. A few special guests, why not? But plenty of Jagger on harp and Keith doing still what only he can do. Damn I'd like just to see them jam!
They need to stick their necks out a bit - instead of sticking to the FORMULAIC approach. All they are doing with it is showing that they can still "rock" at ages 60+. But so what.
"Get up, get OUT, step into something NEW"<<
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-08-29 18:39 by Four Stone Walls.