Still Life (American Concert 1981) was originally released June 1, 1982, it went to #1 in both the UK & US. The album includes the single hits Going To A Go Go (backed by Beast Of Burden) and Time Is On My Side (live version)(backed by Twenty Flight Rock). Both Going To A God Go and Twenty Flight Rock had not been recorded previously and were not issued on any other albums. Most people know the music, so in my reviews I try to give you data on the sessions and interesting facts connected with the songs and the album. Here we go:

The album was recorded at during the 81 American tour in NJ (11-5), Chicago (11-25), Largo, MD (12-7/8), Tempe (12-13), and Hampton Roads (12-18/19).

Interesting notes include:

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson, from Stephen Davis' "Old Gods Almost Dead," and from my own collection.

The critics always pan this, don't listen to them. There is nothing profound here just a really good rock concert. Let Me Go is a great, faster improvement over the Emotional Rescue version, Just My Imagination is fabulous and even the golden oldie Time Is On My Side is put forth with ragged passion.

This was the last tour that the Stones were confident enough to just go out and play with a few choice sidemen, not a huge posse of background singers and other players to cover up their slips. The magical key to a great Stones song is backup vocals from Keith and we get that here in spades.

My only criticism of this record is that it's too short. There were lots of great songs from this tour that should have been included. She's So Cold, Beast of Burden and Let It Bleed come to mind.

A lot of these songs are from the concert they gave that was broadcast live on (now defunct) ON TV. I didn't have ON TV in 1981, but I listened to the simulcast on the radio. But I didn't know it was going to be on when I turned on the radio in my kitchen as I made dinner. I turned on the radio to here "Let's Spend the Night Together" playing. And I thought, THIS BAND IS DOING A TERRIBLE RENDITION OF A STONES' SONG. I didn't think the band was the Stones!! They sounded too terrible. But then half way through the song, I realized it WAS the Stones. Being a Stones freak, I taped the show, anyway. Then when STILL LIFE came out, I saw it was from the same show. And it had that flacid live feel I'd heard on the radio. Mick's voice sounds NOTHING like his voice on the studio albums. IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIFFERENT, AND NOT VERY GOOD, BAND. The Stones get really sloppy when they play live, and it drives me nuts. I really only like their studio albums. STILL LIFE shows why.

Back on the 1981 tour, "Tattoo You" had just been released, and this album chronicles a strong outing by the Stones. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, Mick wore football pants and the Union Jack at the same time...who else has the swagger to pull that off?

Anyway, like some folks have said, critics usually say this album isn't worth its salt. I disagree. Listen to the different take on "Under My Thumb"...it changes from a marimba-laced groove tune to a hard rock classic. What's more, the disc offers a fast-paced, energetic version of "Shattered," as well as "Goin' to a Go-Go," a Smokey Robinson classic that became a staple of that tour. Too bad we missed out on "She's So Cold" and got "Let Me Go" instead.

In addition, "Start Me Up" was truly a new song on this tour, and it shows with the energy and excitement that comes through on this version. At one point, Mick asks the crowd, "Are you ready to rock and roll some more?"

I know I am. Get this one ~LBS

A lifeless live CD. The highlight is 20 Flight Rock. Outside of that, this is a very wealthy band going through the motions. This is possibly their worst live album ever, even more so than Got Live If You Want It.