The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1969)

Hello, World!  Or at least... Hello, musooklub!  

This is my Virgin Post.  Although I’m on a United flight, so I guess it’s my United Post.  Despite that terrible pun (get used to them), I’m a Los Angeles-based standup comic, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Raman and I have been friends since 2004 when we were both selling soap for a living.

“If you wish to converse with me, define your terms.” - Voltaire

As such, musically, here's where I am:  

• Favorite musicians:  1.  The Beatles.  2.  Led Zeppelin.  3.  R.E.M.  4.  Eminem.  5.  Van Morrison.  6.  Jay Z.  7.  Michael Jackson.  8.  blink-182.  9.  Pink Floyd.  10.  The Beastie Boys.  11.  Simon & Garfunkel.  12.  Metallica. 
• Favorite album:  The Wall by Pink Floyd.

Raman consistently hounds me to edit my writing for length (this one will likely be my longest for this klub).  Let’s see.  He’d invited me a year ago, but the timing never worked.  For 2014, I did something called the Year of The Hustle; I told him I’d be game to join in October when “Listen to an album/podcast everyday” became my 10th resolution.  So, here I am.  

THE ROLLING STONES

I’ve primarily used the last few months to tackle the discography of The Rolling Stones.  I’d always wanted to get into them (especially since I love Martin Scorsese’s films, which heavily feature them) and now I have, in earnest, as I just today started listening to their last album, A Bigger Bang.  

How do you get into a band with a catalogue so vast?  Why, Spotify, of course.  In case you’re interested in my favorite tracks from each decade, here are the links to the posts with the Spotify playlists for the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.  

There are many ways to skin a cat, but one way to divide the Stones into eras is 1962 - 1967, 1968 - 1981, and 1982 - Present.  Arguably, ’68 - ’81 was their golden era, beginning with Beggars Banquet and ending with Tattoo You.  

LET IT BLEED: 
https://app.box.com/s/6e3l5eghmy67c86sksws

I chose Let It Bleed for myriad reasons:  

1. I believe it to be better than Beggars Banquet.
2. It’s from 1969 (arguably the greatest year in music).  
3. It closes out the 1960s.  
4. In this modern-day age, I think that one can appreciate Banquet and before; one can enjoy Bleed and beyond.
5. It’s ranked #32 on 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone (not to be confused with The Rolling Stones).  Granted, Exile on Main St. is #7, but I’m not sure if we’re allowed to choose more than one album from one musician, so I went to the earliest album I considered worthy of my debut selection.  

No doubt the stars are the opening and closing tracks:  “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”  

1. “Gimme Shelter” - There’s a reason Scorsese has used this track in multiple films. 
2. “Love in Vain” - The Stones cover Robert Johnson, one of their strongest blues influences. 
3. “Country Honk” - A rural version of “Honky Tonk Women.” 
4. “Live with Me” - It's the 1st song recorded with guitarist Mick Taylor.
5. “Let It Bleed” - It’s the title track, not to be confused with The Beatles' “Let It Be.” 
6. “Midnight Rambler” - This, whether in-studio or live, is one of their greatest jams.
7. “You Got The Silver” - It's the 1st song to feature guitarist Keith Richards as lead solo singer.
8. “Monkey Man” - This was one of several Stones tracks featured in Goodfellas.
9. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” - You could imagine this as the swan song to the most tumultuous decade in American pop culture.

A quality that sets the Stones apart from most bands is that they are meant to be listened to LOUD.  So, whether you’re near a phonograph or wearing your Beats by Dre headset, get ready, crank up the volume, and enjoy Let It Bleed.