February 8 – Saturday – The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street – Pt 1
We will have plenty of time to talk about the Stones, who, by the way, were not a big influence on my life. I gotta respect the boys for remaining upright, and for putting out a lot of good music. They are tenacious. The first disc of this two-record set gave me a good aerobic workout, even though it was short and Bette Midler had to again, add her two cents. She is coming in very handy, I must say. Whether this album makes it to the Ram alternative list is too soon to tell. I can’t decide now. Perhaps when we get to the second disc I’ll have a clearer head.
I just want to add that in times of sorrow, it is so comforting to have good friends and a pet. Everyone, including Max, has really been so supportive these past couple of days. I will not be working out tomorrow, and possibly the day after. Please bear with me.
The Walrus Was Paul 
I love this album and some say this was the stones at their best.
In the making of Exile on Main St in 1971, when Keith Richards defines the essential difference in temperament between Mick Jagger and himself.
“Mick needs to know what he’s going to do tomorrow,” says Richards, his voice slurring into a laugh. “Me, I’m just happy to wake up and see who’s hanging around. Mick’s rock, I’m roll.”
On Exile on Main St, though, Jagger, for once, rolled with Richards. So, too, did everyone else involved, from Jimmy Miller, the producer, to Marshall Chess, the young Atlantic Records executive, to the rest of the group and their extended retinue of session players, studio technicians and hangers-on.
Once the decision had been made to record the album in the basement of Villa Nellcôte, Richards’s rented house in the south of France, the working schedule was dictated by the irregular hours kept by the group’s wayward guitarist, who also had a singularly dogged approach to composing songs.
Great article!
Jamie Goddard
The 1960s show
Thanks Jamie for your response. It’s always nice to get another perspective, particularly from a musician, and one of a different generation. Another friend, someone of my age group, had said that he thought Exile was the Stones’ best as well. I guess I like their earlier stuff better.
They just got the vibe right on Exile, I think Mick always wanted to go to a fancy studio and Keith relished his chance to record his way!
Okay Jamie. You and another friend who has said that this is also his favorite Stones album, have convinced me to give it another listen with a more open mind. I make no promises, but you make a compelling argument. Hope The Zoots are doing well.