The Rolling Stones - "Commit A Crime"

Anyone aware of the Rolling Stones blues roots, whether it's from a general observation from the band's history or from reading Keith Richards' autobiography 'Life'. Those in the latter camp will also be aware that their early recordings actually revived the careers of a lot of the old blues artists. They basically introduced a lot of blues artists to a whole new audience. As we know - Jagger and Richards became one of the greatest songwriting partnerships - with Lennon and McCartney as their obvious rivals. But it was the blues that was their absolute passion. So it seems so logical that a blues covers album was to be recorded at this part of their career and 'Blue and Lonesome' doesn't disappoint. They were so amazing when they recently played in Auckland but I can only dream about seeing them play this album in a club or small venue.... something some lucky punters will experience somewhere in the world at some stage. If I had to pick one song from the album - at this stage it is Howlin' Wolf's "Commit a Crime". Finally we have another classic Stones album and while the songwriting partnership of Jagger and Richards didn't contribute with the songs - they certainly contributed in many other ways. Classic Stones!!




Howlin' Wolf's original "Commit a Crime"

Gimme Shelter. The story of the backing singer.

In 1969 while the Rolling Stones were in a Los Angeles studio mixing "Gimme Shelter" from their 'Let it Bleed' album, they thought it would be great to have the (now well known) "Rape, Murder, it's just a shot away" part of the song sung by a female singer (I presume they had the gospel style in mind). Anyway, it was the middle of the night but that didn't stop Jack Nitzsche from phoning his friend Merry Clayton and explaining that if she wasn't busy - some guys from England needed her to sing on one of their tracks. She said she was in bed, and heavily pregnant as well. Basically, the answer was no and even though she didn't know who they were, she was eventually persuaded by her husband who said it could be good for her.

In an interview on NPR's All Things Considered, Mick Jagger recalls her arriving in curlers and she just knocked it off in two or three takes. The band were obviously impressed. In fact, their excited reaction can be heard in the background on one of the takes.

Merry Clayton was the daughter of a pastor. So she was brought up singing in her father's church in New Orleans before recording with such artists as Bobby Darin, the Supremes and even Elvis... as well as being a member of Ray Charles' backing singers group. Her CV was quite impressive even before this late night phone call.

Back at the studio, Merry was curious about the "Rape/Murder" lyrics but when they explained the lyrics were part of the theme of the song. She accepted that and proceeded. The rest is history.....

While the performance became one of the most memorable vocal performances in rock music, there was a tragedy to follow the visit to the studio. She lost her baby in a miscarriage - possibly due to the stress of the late night session, although I haven't found anything to prove that. She has spoken publicly about not being able to listen to "Gimme Shelter" for a while after - because of the miscarriage.

"Gimme Shelter" encapsulates a changing world at the end of the 60's. The Vietnam war protests, political and racial assassinations... generally, a bleak outlook on the future. The death of Brian Jones and the violence at their Altamont Raceway concert, a day after the release of 'Let it Bleed', just added to those ominous times.

It should be noted that her name has been misspelt as Mary on some of the releases but the true spelling is Merry. She was born on Christmas day, 1948 - so that may explain it.





Merry Clayton recorded her own version of "Gimme Shelter" in 1970.



A little more below.....

The Rolling Stones - "Monkey Man"

For us that didn't get to experience the Stones at their peak, we didn't miss too much because the records were always there anyway - but because my mates and I discovered their back catalogue retrospectively and at different levels, we all had favourite songs that seemed to differ from each other. However, there was one song that was universally loved and that was "Monkey Man" from 'Let It Bleed.'

The Rolling Stones - "Hot Stuff"

The perfect song for a hot summer, even if the song isn't actually about summer or hot weather... it's all in the title and that will do for me.

The Rolling Stones - "Memory Motel"

The Rolling Stones released their album 'Black and Blue' in 1976 and it was the follow up album to 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll'. This album marked a few changes in personnel and style... they were recruiting a new guitarist to replace Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood was one of the recruits that played on it and eventually joined the band. Musically, the Stones added some funk and reggae to their arsenal with this album. For some reason it wasn't received that well critically... Okay, it isn't 'Beggars Banquet' or 'Exile on Main Street' but for me personally, it is one of my favourite Rolling Stones albums. Although it charted well and even had a hit single "Fool to Cry" it now seems like a lost or long forgotten classic. "Memory Motel" at more than seven minutes long was never going to be anything but an album track... but it is one of their finest moments. A beautiful ballad with both Mick and Keith sharing the vocals. I suppose you could call it a road song about touring America (Boston, Baton Rouge and Texas to name a few places) but the theme is more of an obsession with a particular girl after a one night stand in a motel. She sang to him "you're just a memory" but she was a memory he could not get out of his head. The tour carried on but the partying stopped and the extrovert turned into an introvert... was she real? If Mick didn't really go through that pain... then give the guy a fucking Oscar.




Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl
Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved
We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel
It's on the ocean I guess you know it well
It took a starry night to steal my breath away
Down on the waterfront her hair all drenched
in spray

Hannah baby was a honey of a girl
Her eyes were hazel her teeth were slightly curved
She took my guitar and she began to play
She sang a song to me, stuck right in my brain
You're just a memory of a love that used to be
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me

She got a mind of her own and she use it well, yeah
Well she's one of a kind
got a mind
She got a mind of her own, yeah, and she use it mighty fine

She drove a pick-up truck painted green and blue
The tires were wearing thin she done a mile or two
And when I asked her where she headed for
(Back up to Boston I'm singing in a bar)
I got to fly today on down to Baton Rouge
My nerves are shot already the road ain't all that smooth

Across in Texas is the rose of San Antone
I keep on a feeling that gnawing in my bones

You're just a memory (just a memory) of a love that used to mean so
much to me
(just a memory)
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me
You're just a memory girl, you're just a sweet
old memory
And it used to mean so much to me

Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la
Sha la laa la

You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so much to me

She got a mind of her own and she use it well
Mighty fine she's one of a kind
She got a mind of her own
She's one of a kind and she use it well

On the seventh day my eyes were all aglaze
We been ten thousand miles and been in fifteen states
Every woman seemed to fade out of my mind
I hit the bottle and I hit the sack and cried
What's all this laughter on the twenty-second floor?
It's just some friends of mine and they're busting
down the doors

It's been a lonely night at the Memory Motel

You're just a memory girl just a memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory girl you're just a memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory girl you're just a sweet old memory
And it used to mean so much to me
You're just a memory of a love that used to mean so
much to me

She's got a mind of her own and she use it well yeah
Well she's one of a kind