Malcolm GauldI came. I saw. And, I… agree. They’re worthy of the title: “The World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band.” Hey, they’ll definitely do until the real thing comes along.
On Friday night (6/14) I bore witness with 1000s of others at Boston’s TD Bank Garden to check out the Rolling Stones. ‘Twas a night to remember. Were the ticket prices obscene? Of course. But, after it was all over and our “happy, go-lucky throng” — wait that’s from some other song — made our way out the doors on to Causeway Street, I didn’t hear anyone complaining.
They may be pushing 70, but they define “old pros” and they pranced, preened, and thoroughly rocked out for 2 hours and 15 minutes. The core of Jagger, Keef, Charlie, and Ronnie are tight, maybe even tighter than when I last saw them in 1996 at Gillette Stadium. And they’re also joined by other old pros like Bobby Keys (their longtime saxophone extraordinarist) and pianist Chuck Leavell. Lisa Fisher’s accompanying vocals on “Gimme Shelter” are truly amazing and the addition of the Boston University Choir on “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was a nice touch indeed. It was also great to see/hear guitarist Mick Taylor, band member during their highly prolific late 60s – early 70s period.
So, if the “50 & Counting” tour comes to your town, check it out. In the meantime, here’s the song list from the show I saw:
Get Off My Cloud
It’s Only Rock & Roll
Paint It Black
Gimme Shelter
Down the Line
Memory Motel
When the Whip Comes Down
Emotional Rescue
Doom & Gloom
One More Shot
Honky Tonk Woman
You Got the Silver
Happy
Midnight Rambler
Miss You
Start Me Up
Tumblin’ Dice
Brown Sugar
1st Encores: Sympathy for the Devil – You Can’t Always Get You Want
2nd Encore: Satisfaction
Onward, Malcolm Gauld
