a very good, very underrated Stones album
581373
I snapped up 1986's "Dirty Work" because I'd taken a real liking to 1989's "Steel Wheels", so I thought I'd kinda work my way backwards.  And after seeing so many harsh reviews from fans, I was admittedly curious as to how bad it could possibly be.

Listening to this, I thought back on the numerous negative reviews I'd seen for it, and was asking myself, "What the hell's so bad about it?" Apart from a couple songs--"Winning Ugly" and "Back To Zero" in particular--it doesn't sound partcularly 'mid-'80s-ish at all--it just sounds like a well-produced rock & roll album. And the tunes are CATCHY--"One Hit (To The Body)", the mind-blowing raging rant "Hold Back" (with Jagger totally singing his head off), and the highly amusing title track are all infectious and kickass, and their cover of "Harlem Shuffle" really grooves. "Fight" and the horn-spiked "Winning Ugly" are solidly enjoyable as well. The Keith Richards reggae spotlight "Too Rude" is catchy too--it's rather sloppily executed, but amusingly so.

Surprisingly, the boogying "Had It With You", which I've often seen cited as a highlight, is actually quite weak, sounding frustratingly dull and brittle, despite the venomous lyrics.

I had a feeling "Dirty Work" would turn out to be better than its dubious reputation. I guess some fans prefer the Stones for their boring country songs and don't like it when they really ROCK?
2505317
This album, the first newly written material following the bands tribute tours in 87 and 88, is much better than some reviews have said when looked at in an objective fashion. If one compares it to Street Survivors, it  might not stack up, but it's actually a fine rock and roll album. Keepin the  Faith is an excellent cut, and Smokestack Lightning and Backstreet Crawler  are classic Skynyrd guitar attacks. Pure and Simple is probably the standout  track. There are some tracks that might be overproduced, but for a first  new album from a band recovering from a tragic plane crash, it is worth  having.
969053
There was a time when a new Rolling Stones live album didn't feel like an example of pure greed by forcing longtime fans to fork out cash for yet another version of `Satisfaction' or `Jumping Jack Flash" (although both chesnuts are given their obligatory run throughs here). They were fairly spread out coming one every five to six years or so. Then came the nineties and every tour needed its own tour document and this trend can all tie back to the `Flashpoint' record because the Stones have followed each studio record with a live one ever since. Recorded during the `Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle' tour; `Flashpoint' is a decent live record, no better or worse than `Still Life' or `Love You Live'.  It contains many Stones standards plus little heard gems such as "Ruby Tuesday" and "Factory Girl" which makes `Flashpoint' maybe not an essential purchase but definitely a worthwhile one, and not for the two studio tracks (they are lame!). The Rolling Stones were now a corporate machine with band CEO Mick Jagger leading his charges through their paces.
1011365
Don't write this one off, folks. Give it a few listens & you just might find it to be the most solid album of the recent recordings of The Stones. It does not have the Chuck Berry/country flavor of Voodoo Lounge or the percussion crunch of A Bigger Bang; but it is a consistent & surprising rock album that leaves no one alive in its wake.

Charlie's cracking the drums with electricity & perfect timing. Keef chinks & chunks the notes at you like sneering smoke in your face. Ron's back there doing something - you don't know what it is, but it sure as hellfire works. Then there's the featherweight prize fighter Mick. He's not backing down or bluffing. Get out of his way. There's some other plays too - some jazz sax, some backing vocals, etc. It all comes together well with more hits than misses.

Just listen & enjoy.
2517304
As any serious music historian knows, this album was the Stones' "Sgt. Pepper." It sounds like no other release in their impressive catalog. And it IS a departure. But, that's the point! Why have so few people NOT  gotten it. Are they simply NOT LISTENING? "Satanic Magesties" is an awesome piece of work. And psychedelia never sounded so good as it does on the brilliant "2000 Light Years From Home." And it sounds great  on "Sing This All Together," "Citadel," and "In Another Land" (Bill Wyman's 'underwater' vocals are both freaky and effective for the style of the song...NOT thin or weak like a reviewer stated!). And "2000 Man" and "She's A Rainbow" are two of the bands best efforts to date. Overall, a very much underappreciated and underated Stones album. Just give it a chance and listen to it with an open mind (and ears) and I think you'll discovery a true masterpiece. It's different all right...But, in keeping with the "Spirit Of '67" and the band itself...it's a GAS! GAS! GAS!
4258908
If this album had not been released and these tracks were later added as "bonus tracks" to a reissue of a classic Stones album I believe people would be singing the praises of these jams.  I happened to get this on vinyl for 3 bucks so there was not much risk involved, but I had heard about this album and jumped at the chance to get it for a steal.  It is indeed just a series of jams. I think they are fun and as a drummer I think it's fun to listen to Charlie Watts play in a slightly different, more relaxed atmosphere.  Mick doesn't sing a whole lot but he wails on the harmonica a few times and it's quite impressive.  The playing of Nicky Hopkins is amazing and Ry Cooder is no slouch.  I think it's an entertaining album and worth it if you want to hear some really good musicians having a good time playing with nothing at stake.
1952695
Mick Taylor's departure from seven very successful years with the Stones was a fine point for all concerns. From "If You Can't Rock Me" through the title rack onto "Dance Little Sister" the band were still very much riding the crest of their classic,bottom heavy rock n roll sound. Nothing had really changed too much across high key Motown rave ups of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" or countryish ballads such as "Till The Next Goodbye" or the yearning "If You Really Want To Be My Friend". But a change was coming. Perhaps all too aware of various changes that were occuring in the pop world the Stones were also looking past the blues and soul as their main influences and beginning to integrate elements of reggae and other things into their style. That Jamaican influence,which was than actually pretty new came to the surface most strong on "Luxary" as well as now and again in the rhythms of "Time Waits For No One and "Short And Curlies". In terms of the conclusion "Fingerprint File" ends the album with the bands first all out,bona fide funk number complete with chugging wah wah's and Mick's learing vocals at fine effect. This particular variation on the bands style would bubble more to the surface on the follow up album&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Black-and-Blue/dp/B001WCN23M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Black and Blue</a>&nbsp;when Ron Wood joined the band. The fact that the band could integrate so many new musical experiments into their already locked down tight sound has the effect of adding to their status as being able to do what they do very well when they choose to do it.
565312
It's better than I remembered. A must have for any stones lover.
1433340
I am going through a period where I am very obsessed with everything The World's Greatest RockNRoll Band did, I checked out their albums like "Exile on the Main street" Which is thier best. But "Let it bleed" is not far behind. The album has Two of the greatest rock songs ever recorded, "Gimmie Shelter" and "You Can't always Get what want" are Unreal; two of rock's all-time greatest tunes. But those are only Two songs; "let it Bleed" has Seven more Equally great songs. The title track is one of my favorite Rolling stones songs and "You Got The Silver" is one of their best Love songs. Overall "Let it Bleed" is one the Stones Top Three Albums and one of Rock's all Time great albums.
502004
I love Sabbath.  Somehow I managed to miss this album, but that say's something about this band.  It is a great album and is at the top of my list for classic rock, not just because it rocks, but because it is diverse and the radio hasn't played the heck out of all the songs already, so it keeps me guessing.  You have to get this and not just because it has "Changes" on it, because that isn't even my track on this album.  Enjoy.
3579492
... this would be it.
Recently, a friend of mine asked me to tape the best Stones albums for him and, of course, the absolute essentials of the Stones albums are their Big Five: "Between the Buttons," "Beggars," "Let it Bleed," "Sticky Fingers" and the piece de resistance: "Exile on Main Street."
But in going through them all, I found myself paying more attention to "Beggars," which I usually throw over in favor of its big city cousin, "Let it Bleed," and which is arguably the one of the five I listen to the least.
What an incredibly strange album for the Stones to have releaed in 1968. Yes there's lots of typical Stonesian stuff here ("Sympathy," "Stay Cat Blues," "Jig-Saw Puzzle") but clearly, "Satanic Majesties" purged them of their urge to be trendily psychedelic because this is an album full of acoustic and steel guitars, stocked with jugs of Jagger's acre-broad drawl. And, yes, it wasn't unusual to see an electric band head into acoustic territory in the late 60s but still... the year after the summer of love, what did people make of fashion plates like the Stones recording material along the lines of "Dear Doctor" and "Prodigal Son" ?
Founding member Brian Jones may have been in a holding pattern over Heathrow at the time, but fortunately other ingredients coagulated: Jimmy Miller's chunky production, the session playing of Nicky Hopkins and Ry Cooder, and influences on Keith Richards, who was clearly listening to lots of diverse blues and R&B records at the time.
Strange, beautiful record.  I've started listening to it in my shower-stall CD player in the mornings and it sounds just like a cold beer with breakfast after a late night.
1886891
If you've read Keith's "Life" (or know much at all about the Stones) you can easily imagine what a blast this little jam was for them. Sound is excellent as is picture quality, especially given the nature of the venue. It's especially nice to see Ian Stewart up close and having a great time with Muddy's band. As for the rest,  Mick's in fine form, but seems a bit over-awed by Muddy and his pals, Keith is laid back and careful not to overstep, and Ronnie Wood is, as always, just about perfect.
2787032
If you've ever heard Keith's side band "The X-Pensive Winos" then you already know how different Keith's music is from that of "The Rolling Stones". Not better, mind you, but different. I've always been a big fan of Keith Richards, and was delighted to find out that he was releasing a new solo album. Keith's music is for all the Stones' fans who really enjoy their country-bluesy side. This is definitely not the rock and roll that the Stones do so well. Over the years, with each succeeding release (either on his own, or with "The X-Pensive Winos"), Keith's song-writing skills and vocals have steadily improved. And his guitar work is just as masterful. If you've only heard him with the Stones, give this album a try. It's by far his best effort to date, and each track is very enjoyable. If you do decide to get this, I guarantee you'll be hunting down his two previous solo efforts ("Talk is Cheap" and "Main Offender") along with his albums with "The X-Pensive Winos". "Crosseyed Heart" will win you over, in no time at all!
1999379
Even if not a Stones fan, but a guitar fan, should cause you to watch/listen to this dvd. This was just the beginning of Keith Richards' and Mick Taylors' heavy style of riffing which carried them through the 1970's. A little ragged around the edges, but thats how we like the Stones. Too bad the whole show is not presented here, but what is here, should be savored and enjoyed like nothing else. Very good presentation of a very metallic sounding Stones in front of 200,000 plus people, on their home turf in England. Make sure to watch/listen on good quality home theater system at loud volume(just a suggestion).
3492540
I had been content with the three cd offering of "GRRR" since it was released at the end of 2012, but this past year I was finally able to pony up the dough for the five cd deluxe edition this Christmas. As a massive Rolling Stones fan, I felt it was a must-have, even if such a compilation would seem tedious to someone who owns almost all of these songs several times over. That said, I'm also a collector, and I couldn't pass up the remastered sound, either.

Simply put, this five cd set does not disappoint. Every seminal Rolling Stones hit is here, from "Satisfaction" to "Brown Sugar" to "Start Me Up" and everything in between, as well as a healthy sampling of obscure album tracks spanning the entire length of their 50+ year career. The songs do indeed sound better than ever, especially the older stuff, which now blasts out of the speaker with force and clarity that make them sound like they were recorded yesterday. There's been some complaining about the abundance of single edits as opposed to album cuts, but I've come to expect those on most compilations, so it's not as much of a sticking point for me. A couple of the obscure choices don't necessarily strike me as essential ("Flight 505"?), but I appreciate the thought went into choosing them.

The bonus disc and the vinyl recording are both interesting keepsakes, and the accompanying booklet is absolutely thrilling. If you're as fanatical a Stones fans I am, this deluxe edition of "GRRR" is absolutely essential.
2259805
I'll admit first up that I'm not a big Stones fan.  I've always believed that musically they are unbelievably over-rated relative to their peers such as The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Beach Boys hell even the Animals but I won't begrudge their great stage act and longevity and hence their great influence on rock and roll overall albeit not necessarily on the artistic and musical aspects of the genre; I suppose they were never really about that anyway being more about how to abuse drugs, sex and alcohol without dying but I have to say that "Sticky Fingers" is my favourite album of theirs with "Beggars Banquet" coming in a close second.

This album starts out well with one of their best ever tracks "Brown Sugar" which sounds a lot like David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" to me but is still an excellent rocker; this is in contrast to the worst track on this album and also one of the worst that I've ever heard "You Gotta Move" which sounds a lot like what you'd hear a funeral band playing in Singapore.  The sound quality is overall pretty good on this mini-lp replica sleeve (mlps) version although it is not uniformly so as "Wild Horses" sounds  a little muddy in spots which is unfortunate given the track is among the better ones on the album.  "Bitch" is also a standout although it does remind me a lot of the Temptations' "Get Ready".  "Sister Morphine" is also a great track which sounds a lot like a typical Neil Young track as well as Oasis' "Wonderwall" which is obviously at least partially influenced by this great Stones track.  "Dead Flowers" is reminicent of a typical CCR track as well.

Overall, trackwise this is in my opinion the best that the Stones have churned out and fans are in for a real treat with this mlps version which is one of the best and most creative that I've ever seen.  I still can't get over the working gold zipper and piece of cloth that so faithfully recreates the original vinyl sleeve that it's unbelievable!  It is also very well assembled so that you don't fear the whole thing coming apart anytime soon.  A square with a black and white photo of the band on one side and the trademark red tongue and track listing on the other side as well as another cardboard square representing the original vinyl center circle is included.  Also included is a 16-page booklet with all the lyrics in both English and Japanese.

My favourite Stones album now comes in an excellent mlps version with mostly good sound quality which makes this version of "Sticky Fingers" highly recommended!
4560729
Very few would have imagined such a thoughtful set list.  Maybe Marty hanging around with a camera crew might have inspired this list.  Maybe they've been such a vital rock n roll force in the past, something kind of clicked.  They put All Down the Line in along with You Got the Silver, Live With Me, Shine a light, Some Girls alongside the revitalized warhorses found on virtually all of their live lists.  It certainly has something for that casual rock fan and the Stones aficianados.

What's enjoyable this time around is Scorcese seems pretty easy to inspire a heartfelt performance and the Stones don't want to disappoint.  Yes, things start off quickly, almost too quickly; four songs in and it's getting close to "vegas Medley"  Mick certainly still has his chops, rhythm signatures and nuances but as with many of their subpar performances he starts running out of breath, pulling a Sinatra by ecomomizing the lyrics just to keep up.  At the same time you marvel at the athleticism needed for a Stones performance and wonder if the still sleek and agile Jagger will collapse.  You also yearn for them to get as slinky and heavy as they did on their best midtempo glory we got from their '69 shows.  In fact they do, when Some Girls comes out as if Jagger waited thirty years to sing it again and Keef wanted to hit the chord dead solid perfect.  It is a rare treat hearing these songs live, as most Stone fans know there is more to them than the 40 licks.  It should hit your gut if you see the performance in theaters, and you'll think they're playing in your garage giving it one more college try.

Like Scorcese's 'Last Waltz' we get guest performances.  Your obligatory "odd" guest Aguilera appropriating her over the top delivery in "Live with Me" which is just the right song for the job.  You have Jack White's Jagger swagger in 'Lovin Cup' and the show stealer, Buddy Guy, their idol, tearing it up the same way Muddy Waters and Van Morrison did with the Band over 30 years ago.

Not many will be disappointed.  There will be the occasional regret.  I, for one, would have loved to see them bring in a guest guitar hero to jam with them on "Time Waits For No One".  I'm sure if it was in Marty's sonar, he would have chomped at the bit to get them to do it.  The other regret being the amount of times you go whoa, slow down, don't race, keep it tight, keep it funky, slinky, heavy.  Make it dirty; make it just right.  Even when drug addled depraved fans were getting clobbered, stabbed, drowned and run over at Altamont, the groove was still deep.  The Stones were still a monster.  Now at times they come close to it and that extra dash of heavyness makes this gig worth the revisit that Get Yer Ya Yas still gets.