Not poorly remembered by my generation (I was a teenager then). "Bridges to Babylon" was a big hit, probably the last that Stones had with the general audience. Plus, the tour went to my town. (Unfortunately, I wasn't there, but almost everybody was.)
I think most people remember 'Anybody Seen My Baby', which was their last Top 10 hit before 'Living In A Ghost Town' more than 20 years later. The album as a whole didn't go down nearly as well, although (or maybe because) it was the last time the Stones tried to do something "different".
I'm really glad I checked this video out based on your recommendation! I always thought Out of Control was a solid song, but only after watching this performance that the personal element to the song became really clear. I don't think the performance seemed theatrical to me because I'm sure the aging Mick would have meant lines about past regrets and how he was losing control of his life. I think that's the key element that makes this song cathartic: as time passes, you are forced to look back at an unfixable past, and even as you grow older, less and less things are controllable, a drowning feeling of helplessness. That's why, at least for me, the performance didn't seem all that theatrical: the nagging riff, the ferocious peak (which I also wished lasted longer!), Mick's frantic pacing around the stage, and the dizzying chaos even in the video, the desperation was powerful in the song. Absolutely loved it, thank you George for highlighting the video!
One of the many reasons I love this site -- I’ve not listened to their later material. New discoveries by old favorites are always fun. (For instance I’d not given their TSMR album a fair chance before reading your review.) Fitting perhaps that this performance was in their hero and progenitor’s hometown. Maybe some extra unconscious motivation.
I absolutely love this song (Babylon and Steel Wheels are the only two latter period albums of theirs that I really enjoy). It reminds me - not musically but conceptually - of Gabriel's No Self Control that I saw live in Buenos Aires too, another great stage performance. I hadn't really paid attention to the lyrics, they're great. In a few months I'll hit 55, I'll be sure to play this one again!
Not poorly remembered by my generation (I was a teenager then). "Bridges to Babylon" was a big hit, probably the last that Stones had with the general audience. Plus, the tour went to my town. (Unfortunately, I wasn't there, but almost everybody was.)
I think most people remember 'Anybody Seen My Baby', which was their last Top 10 hit before 'Living In A Ghost Town' more than 20 years later. The album as a whole didn't go down nearly as well, although (or maybe because) it was the last time the Stones tried to do something "different".
I'm really glad I checked this video out based on your recommendation! I always thought Out of Control was a solid song, but only after watching this performance that the personal element to the song became really clear. I don't think the performance seemed theatrical to me because I'm sure the aging Mick would have meant lines about past regrets and how he was losing control of his life. I think that's the key element that makes this song cathartic: as time passes, you are forced to look back at an unfixable past, and even as you grow older, less and less things are controllable, a drowning feeling of helplessness. That's why, at least for me, the performance didn't seem all that theatrical: the nagging riff, the ferocious peak (which I also wished lasted longer!), Mick's frantic pacing around the stage, and the dizzying chaos even in the video, the desperation was powerful in the song. Absolutely loved it, thank you George for highlighting the video!
One of the many reasons I love this site -- I’ve not listened to their later material. New discoveries by old favorites are always fun. (For instance I’d not given their TSMR album a fair chance before reading your review.) Fitting perhaps that this performance was in their hero and progenitor’s hometown. Maybe some extra unconscious motivation.
I absolutely love this song (Babylon and Steel Wheels are the only two latter period albums of theirs that I really enjoy). It reminds me - not musically but conceptually - of Gabriel's No Self Control that I saw live in Buenos Aires too, another great stage performance. I hadn't really paid attention to the lyrics, they're great. In a few months I'll hit 55, I'll be sure to play this one again!