Q: What's your favorite track on "Let It Bleed", or do you even have a favorite? Why?
A: This is not a simple question, as my favorites always change over time. When I was younger, "Let It Bleed" was my favorite song, though I only knew it from the radio and did not know its name! I asked a friend which album it was on—in retrospect a seemingly dumb question. Although he didn’t know the name either, he was fairly certain it was on "Let It Bleed" or "Flowers", so I went out and bought both. However, I would say my “favorite” song on the album, over the years, has varied between "Country Honk", "You Got the Silver", "Live With Me" and "Monkey Man". Overall, my favorites would have to be "Live With Me"and "Monkey Man". I think "Live With Me" and "Monkey Man" capture the raw, gritty sound of the Stones at their best. They really can’t be typecast as a certain type of band. They started out as a blues cover band, evolved into rock and roll, veered off into country thanks to Gram Parsons' influence and even dabbled in disco and punk, when those genres threatened to label them as old and out of touch, but at the core they are a blues based rock band and these two songs highlight that in their lyrics and strong, at times guttural, guitar sound.
Q: Who was your favorite band member?
A: Again, I am too old and the Stones have been around too long for this to be a simple answer; it varies depending on what’s going on in their world and who is causing the latest problems for the band/fans! But I’ll say Charlie Watts. Everyone knows Mick because he the lead singer and Keith because he gives them their guitar sound, but Charlie just seems to personify “cool.” To this day, I don’t think he likes rock and roll music; he is a jazz fan first, but he is acknowledged by so many as being a great drummer and the core that holds the different personalities of the Stones together. If you find the right video (that focuses on his drumming), you can see the pure joy he feels when playing his favorite music. Plus, you gotta like a guy who married his wife in 1964, when the Stones were in their infancy, and is still married to her 47 years later.
Q: What was it about "Let It Bleed" that you think made it so special? What was it that captivated listeners, and solidified its place as one of the greatest Rolling Stones and, even, one of the greatest rock albums of all time?
A: It is a short album (nine songs), but almost every one is a great song. As I discussed my favorites above, I’ll skip them, but you have Stones classics such as "Midnight Rambler", "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" and "Gimme Shelter", which were all still being played live by them almost 30 years later on their last tour. One of Keith’s better solo efforts in "You Got the Silver"; a classic blues tune showing they were still true to their roots in "Love in Vain"; and a country version of "Honky Tonk Women". An interesting note on this last song: this was what the Stones had intended "Honky Tonk Women" to sound like, but Mick Taylor (Brian Jones's replacement) steered the song in a different direction to what was released as a stand alone single, prior to "Let it Bleed"’s release. But, they decided to keep it in its country form on the album. I’ve also read that the car horn you hear in the song, was accidentally caught on the recording through an open studio window and they felt it fit so well they left it in. I don’t buy that, as it occurs twice in the song and fits the meter of the music a little too neatly, but a cool story nonetheless.
Q: Do you think "Let It Bleed" accurately reflected the general attitudes and events of the sixties?
A: I am not sure the Stones really neatly fit into the idea of the peace and love, hippy, generation of the 60’s. They did their share of drugs, but not the hallucinogenics that led to the funky art and psychedelic music many connect to that era. "Monkey Man" is more about a heroin addict--not the drug of choice for most at that time, though Keith later became a junkie for much of the 70s. "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" seems to offer a very practical way to look at things, not typically the attitude you would label the youth of the 60s with; "Midnight Rambler" is about a criminal/rapist—hopefully not a reflection of the views of any generation! "Love in Vain" is a nod to their bluesy roots, written by Robert Johnson in the 1930s; "Country Honk" is just a fun country song; "Live With Me" is a raw rocker, a very raunchy song where the decadence described extends all the way to the staff and the servants. Although the 60’s were about “free love,” I don’t think that concept was ever intended to be as depicted in this song—I think this may represent the Stones vision of free love, though! Keith Richards for all of his tough guy attitude, like to write/sing slow ballads and "You Got the Silver" is one of his best, but nothing more here than that. The title track might work for this question. Mick sings about being there for a friend—“if you need to, you can lean/dream/bleed on me.” I think this demonstrates the communal atmosphere that was present among the youth of that decade—being there for a friend in need. And, the second verse clearly reflect the more typical free love and drug image of the 60s. Finally, I think "Gimme Shelter" clearly epitomizes the attitude of that generation. “War is just a shot away; love is just a kiss away.” There you can see the concept of make love, not war. And, in each case, just how close it is, Mick seems to be asking the listener, “which choice are you going to make?”
Q: Would it be fair to call it 'a perfect goodbye' to such an explosive decade? How did the sixties, in your opinion, influence the album? What do you think about The Rolling Stones' place in the sixties?
A: Sure, why not. As I said above, it doesn’t fit neatly into the concept of the 60s, so maybe the Stones had already said goodbye to that decade. There are junkie and heroin references throughout, which became the downfall of many in the decade to come. And, its release coincided with their concert at Altamont that many refer to as the death of the 60s.
Q: How does "Let It Bleed" make you feel? Does it inspire any resonating emotions?
A: I can’t say that hearing any of the songs on "Let It Bleed" stirs any emotions, other that I do feel that "Live With Me" does typify the Stones attitude in its lyrics and their sound in its guitars. When I hear that song, I always have those same thoughts. That also goes for "Monkey Man". You might find a different response from one who lived thru the 60s and bought this album in 1969, but as one who was born in 1966 and didn’t buy it until the early 80s, I can't say that I fit the original target audience for Let It Bleed.
Q: Do you think "Let It Bleed" deserves a place in the study of the sixties, or in a literature-based course at all?
A: I am sure your teacher does not want to hear this, but I have always felt that authors would laugh at some of the deep meaning/symbolism English teachers have attached to their words while teaching a certain novel to their class. However, having said that, "Let It Bleed" is a classic album, released in the 60s by the “greatest rock and roll band ever.” If a course is being taught that uses music to examine the 60s, "Let It Bleed" surely must be part of that.
Q: Would you go so far as to consider The Rolling Stones poets in their own right? In your opinion, is "Let It Bleed" (and all other pop music for that matter) the newest mode or outlet of poetic voice?
A: Mick and Keith are prolific songwriters, which is merely poetry set to music, so I would say that they are. Probably, Mick more than Keith because Keith concentrates on writing the music and, often, merely offers a line or phrase to Mick who runs with it and writes the rest of the lyrics. I once read that Mick had become enamored with the word ‘messianic” and wrote "Monkey Man" around that word because he wanted to use it in a song! However, I wouldn’t say the 'newest' mode because poets have been writing music for years.
Q: Ultimately, would you call "Let It Bleed" an iconic album - one whose place and value in history is immeasurable? Or is it just another great rock album?
A: People much smarter than me always seem to put Let It Bleed near the top of any “all time greatest” album list, so I think it must be iconic, in the context of rock and roll history, at least.
We just wanted to thank Mr. Horowitz for his tremendous help. His insightful and informative comments truly enhanced our project, and we couldn't have done it without him - so thank you!
No comments:
Post a Comment