Sweet Summer Sun - Hyde Park Live / The Rolling Stones * 2013 Universal
The presence of kings, echoing through Hyde Park
Thirteen summers ago, the Stones performed a live concert at London's Hyde Park. It was a raw, straight-from-the-recording feat, with an official audio source mixed by Bob Clearmountain released immediately via digital distribution. In the old days, live albums were carefully promoted and released about a year after the tour, but the business has completely changed these days. At the time, I got an email from the site and clicked 'buy' five seconds later. I bought it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but when I think about it, it's an incredible era we live in.
Forty-four years after the '69 Brian Jones memorial concert, which had a rather shaky impression, I never dreamed I would be able to enjoy a 2013 live album for their 50th anniversary.
This momentous concert was a 19-song best-of live set with a classic tracklist that didn't betray fan expectations, leaving me grinning. The opening was a high-energy 'Start Me Up.' With that magical intro, excitement is inevitable within two seconds of the start. After all, this song or 'Under My Thumb' feels just right for the first track.
And what's worth special mention is 'Emotional Rescue'!! It's the title track of their 1980 album, which is often called understated, but as far as I know, this was the first time it could be heard live. It has a hip, black-music flavor that symbolizes Mick frequenting the NY disco 'Studio 54,' and as it's a personal favorite of mine, I was dancing in a frenzy. Just like the original, Mick's falsetto was in full effect. Mick is truly something for convincing Keith, who probably thought, 'I can't be bothered to play this!' (← just my own speculation).
And they also delivered the powerful new song 'Doom & Gloom,' with the excitement of 2012 still fresh. Of course, Charlie Watts is there too. Ah, wonderful.
In the second half, you can fully enjoy the 2013 versions of Stones classics. 'Jumping Jack Flash' with its Telecaster intro that makes your blood rush, 'Tumbling Dice' which is delicious no matter how many times you have it, 'It's Only Rock and Roll' which teaches us old folks the wonder of pure R&R, and 'Brown Sugar,' which convinced me that no band with the guts to cover this will appear for another 10 years. They vividly displayed the dignity of kings.
The unique, sexy mystery they emit in 'Miss You' is also still alive and well. With the unexpected participation of Mick Taylor on 'Midnight Rambler' and the beautiful melody of 'Ruby Tuesday,' said to be composed by Brian, it was a stage that satisfied even fans of over 50 years.
This time, Keith's super-cool corner featured 'You Got the Silver' and 'Before They Make Me Run.' The performances, which were originally shaky, have become truly wobbly with age, adding to their flavor in a virtuous cycle. It's a wonderful business model. And of course, the finale was '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'!