Black And Blue [Import]

Every song on 'Black & Blue' has its moments of brilliance. 'Hot Stuff' offers a fresh rhythm, 'Memory Motel' outlines a compelling story and 'Melody' is a prime example of the Stones' use of humor. The drawback of this album is that many of the songs are extended far too long - and often risk losing listener interest.

The glimmering exception to this observation is 'Hey Negrita' - a guitar-driven jam that does not overstay its welcome. Mixing elements of reggae, surf rock and funk, this track demonstrates the Stones' ability to embrace new musical styles without losing their distinct sound.

Overall, I would encourage every Rolling Stones fan to listen to this album. It would not be long before Mick & the boys would refine the elements presented here into a wildly successful follow-up album.

I was skeptical about buying this album. I had been into the Stones for years, but I read mixed reviews about it, and how it was a minor disappointment when it was released in 1976. But I finally purchased a copy of the album on a whim, and it turned out to be surprisingly brilliant and crafted with the talent that most Stones records are noted for.

BLACK AND BLUE is up there with the best of the Stone's body of work. It's not as daring or encompassing as Exile on Main St., not as bluesy as Sticky Fingers, but it's also just as inspired as Beggar's Banquet or Let It Bleed, and after listening to those four impeccable masterpiece albums, I'd encourage you to add BLACK AND BLUE to the collection. It is a much better than IT'S ONLY ROCK N' ROLL, and is a good introduction to the brilliance that would continue to surface with SOME GIRLS

The craft of songwriting and recording is as palpable as the rest of their amazing work from the late 60s and early 70s. The biggest highlight of the album, by far, is MEMORY MOTEL. It's definitely one of the most beautiful rock songs ever written. It's epic, but not in the grand stratosphere of arena rock as say- STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. It's subtle, charming and brilliant. In the same vain is FOOL TO CRY, which turned out to be the album's most popular song. It sounds very similar to MEMORY MOTEL in some aspects, but each song can stand on its own. There are other gems such as HAND OF FATE and CRAZY MAMA which can stand as the epitome of all hard rock Stones songs. It served as a precedent for many of the songs that would be heard on SOME GIRLS and TATTOO YOU, with less blues and more of what would be known as 70s Classic Rock. In addition, cuts like HOT STUFF, HEY NEGRITA and CHERRY OH BABY are all pseudo-reggae jams that are decent jams, but slightly redundant. However, they're above the rank of throw-away songs. Lastly, MELODY is my least favorite but it's not terrible, it's an ideal song that would be right at home in smokey bars everywhere.

So do yourself a FAVOR and buy a rock n' roll classic from the Rolling Stones - get BLACK AND BLUE.

The Rolling Stones' album Black and Blue was released in April of 1976. This particular Rolling Stones album was the first album for the band since the departure of guitarist Mick Taylor. Some have called this album the guitar audition album because Wayne Perkins, Harvey Mandel and Ron Wood all took turns auditioning for the guitarist spot. Lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards wrote all but one track(Cherry Oh Baby) on this album and the album is a classic. Black and Blue was recorded between December of 1974 and December of 1975 in Germany with Mick and Keith producing and Keith Harwood recording and Glyn Johns mixing. Bass player Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts played well on this album as well. Some of the highlights are the funky opener Hot Stuff which featured lead guitarist Harvey Mandel, Hand of Fate with Wayne Perkins doing some great fretwork, the ballad Memory Motel, Ron Wood's slide induced Hey Negrita, the hit ballad Fool to Cry and of course the closing Crazy Mama with a great riff from Mick Jagger whom played rhythm guitars on the track. The album did very well hitting #1 making it the fifth Stones studio effort in a row to top Billboard and was the first Platinum album for the band. Some fans hate this album, but others like me, love it. This album is highly recommended.