5th December - The Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed

Artist – Album: The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed

Released: 5^th December 1969

Sounds Like: Whatever the Beatles can do…

Let It Bleed was the last Stones album to feature the doomed Brian Jones, the first member of the infamous “27 club” (soon to be joined by Joplin, Hendrix and Morrisson) and one of the most talented musicians in pop history. The Rolling Stones were his band – he had picked the team and led them out, chosen their identity and played lead guitar – but by the late Sixties drug and mental problems had meant that he was increasingly on the periphery. He appeared on only two tracks here (autoharp on ‘You Got the Silver’, and percussion on ‘Midnight Rambler’) and a little like Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones seemed to be getting on just fine without their estranged icon.

In fact, Let It Bleed was right in the middle of a stunning succession of albums for the group; beginning with the previous year’s Beggar’s Banquet and concluding with Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street. Each of these greats were shining examples of the sum being more than the parts, and when the parts include ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ that really is saying something.

In the olden days people would practice bloodletting, whereby medicians would cut the patient to let out small quantities of blood to cure or prevent illness and disease. It must have been tough, but the band knew they had to cut Jones loose; that for the Rolling Stones to prosper, they had to let it bleed.

Albumaday... rating: 10/10

1.       Gimme Shelter – 4:30

2.       Love in Vain – 4:19

3.       Country Honk – 3:07

4.       Live with Me – 3:33

5.       Let It Bleed – 5:28

6.       Midnight Rambler – 6:52

7.       You Got the Silver – 2:50

8.       Monkey Man – 4:12

9.       You Can’t Always Get What You Want – 7:28

Listen to ‘Monkey Man’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNY8eYmzdH4