Tumbling Dice - Hip Hop Fan Reacts To The Rolling Stones

[@chrismorrow3723]

the final passage when the back up singers come in with "you've got to roll" is one of my favorite moments from any band

[@somersetcace1]

There's something about it, isn't there!? I feel the same way. Makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

[@averagejoe2853]

Thought I was the only one feeling that way...lol...it is also one of my favorite moments. The singers out front, the guitars fading in, the drums slowly building. R&B perfected . That is producer Jimmy Miller on the drums for the fade out. Great producer and a damn good drummer .

[@Nutty_commenter]

That's what is so great about music!

[@miltonmasmut8227]

Escuchar eso respaldado con lla guitarra de keith es algo increíble

[@hornyconvict]

Yup

[@mattw1340]

one of the best utilizations of background singers in a song in my opinion as well

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

My uncle took me to a Stones concert in 1978 when I was in fifth grade. His date stood him up so I got to go! Peter Tosh opened and Linda Ronstadt came out to sing Tumbling Dice with Mick! BTW, she has a great cover version of this!🖖🏼

[@SergeitheMet]

Too cool!😆👍

[@zenhaelcero8481]

Exile on Main St is such a vibe. Rip This Joint, Sweet Virginia, Ventilator Blues, Shine A Light... the album deserves it's legendary status.

[@darrenbealeofficial]

100%! Sweet Virginia makes the Stones the best country band ever

[@alexgrgreen3572]

Shine a light might be the most under rated stones song

[@zenhaelcero8481]

@@alexgrgreen3572 Agree, been one of my top picks for a long while!

[@jnagarya519]

'Way overrated LP. But "The Beatles" made a double LP so "The Rolling Stones" had to make a double LP.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Shine a light and Sweet Virgiinia are my favorites

[@julieanderson6463]

Most insightful Tumbling Dice comments I've ever heard!! Thank you & keep up the awesome work!

[@vicprovost2561]

The entire Mick Taylor era is dope, my favorite of that entire era is Can't You Hear Me Knocking for both the super dirty riff at start and then the song morphs into the jam of a lifetime. They just have an incredibly rich catalog and can never be about just one album or song but they sure had it going there in the 60s and 70s. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎷🎸🎶

[@michaelmelling9333]

Some of us would say that the Brian Jones' era was way doper.😊

[@alexgrgreen3572]

@@michaelmelling9333 i respect that view point but also believe it’s probably the minority of stones fans. Jones did contribute but for me their prime is beggars through exile

[@vicprovost2561]

@ben loesel You sir are correct, for over 60 years now, he has been the heart and soul of their sound, no matter who is in the band.

[@jeffsimpson-u6v]

I agree ....and check out the alternative version of Can't You Hear Me Knocking

[@goodbyedemocracy5678]

This is a perfect album, from beginning to end.

[@jnagarya519]

You don't get out much.

[@goodbyedemocracy5678]

@@jnagarya519 Huh?

[@jnagarya519]

@@goodbyedemocracy5678 It is an over-rated LP. The mix is especially bad. But we live in a world with morons who confuse that they like as proof that that they like is "genius" because they like it.

[@goodbyedemocracy5678]

@@jnagarya519 “confuse that they like” and “that that they like” is some of the most moronic grammar I’ve seen.

[@jnagarya519]

@@goodbyedemocracy5678 Yes: the flaying of the "Because I like it it is genius" is beyond your abilities to grasp. And you don't address the issue.

[@tomretallick1719]

The sweet thing about the Stones their sloppy and tight at the same time. So cool tongue in cheek lyrics you got to roll me!! Good call again!!

[@gernblanston5697]

This double album is a tour de force through all the swamplands of American popular music - country, blues, soul, rock, gospel - it's all in there! Pick a song, pick a flavor.

[@dmCurator]

Perfect description 👍

[@metallewd3472]

The best song on best album of all time. Utter masterpiece.

[@andrewbrennan7291]

The Stones never disappoint.

[@barrybreen8745]

my favourite stones track

[@frankjurgensen9550]

Like the fact that you're using headphones, so close listening! Every Generation should dive in that classic stuff. Soul blues rocknroll etc. cause of that Pure essence. Good comments!

[@davidhenricks9715]

You nailed it. My favorite Stones song. 😊

[@timjenkins4065]

The stones have made me feel well in times of sadness.. more them than any of the many kinds of music I love. But, not just in sadness, when you’re having a blast, they’re rockin you the fuck out, groovin, so diverse, it’s proven that I’m not the only one who feels this way.. !

[@31wst83]

I love Charlie's drum fills!!

[@muriel2267]

Speaking of honky, need to check out Honky Tonk Women. One word-cowbell. Also can’t forget Charlie Watts drumming on this track 👌🏽

[@KaraMiss1974]

It's so great that you did this song! It's pretty cool that you nailed the honky tonk sound on this track. Exile has a lot of American country and blues influence. You absolutely should listen to the whole album. Some casual Stones fans don't get it, but you've listened to enough of their catalog to really hear why it's such a masterpiece.

[@RhettAnderson]

You need to hit this album harder. Let it Loose, Sweet Virginia, Ventilator Blues, Torn and Frayed. The whole damned album actually.

[@marketingTUNEUP]

Agree!!!

[@johnniekight1879]

Rip This Joint kicks ass!!!

[@gl15col]

This always makes me think of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, just has that funky, jazz jive with the wall of sound all around. One of my favorites.

[@hollywoodpotato5289]

Pure unadulterated unfiltered swagger.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This album is very American sounding. One of their best. Linda Ronstadt did a fine cover of this song. Great reaction.

[@LeeKennison]

Love the Linda Ronstadt version.

[@michaelkeefe8494]

The live cover from FM with Waddy Wachtel... Awesomeness

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@michaelkeefe8494 that’s the one ☝️

[@michaelkeefe8494]

@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Gram must've been a heck of a guy to hang out with...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee yes Gram Parsons all over this album without playing or singing a note on it.

[@darrenbealeofficial]

I am so glad you finally reviewed this song. My all time favorite Stones' track. Exile is a masterpiece.

[@KaraMiss1974]

I came here to say pretty much the exact same thing. Especially that Exile is a masterpiece.

[@davescurry69]

The greatest rock 'n' roll album ever made, in my humble opinion. The glorious "Tumbling Dice" is just a glimpse of what lies within the album's 4 sides. And EXILE is best enjoyed in one sitting as it really is greater than the sum of its parts. So If you want an album to do a full reaction to...

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Yeah, many hidden gems that are even better. Tumbling dice was a single, it's an earworm

[@davescurry69]

@anfrankogezamartincic1161 Yeah songs like "Loving Cup", "Let It Loose", "Shine A Light"...too many to list.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

@@davescurry69 when i started to listen to Rolling Stones, i liked only the Brian Jones era. The years went on, my music taste slowely changed, so, Mick Taylor era is more my thing. But i like Ron Wood too. The fact is, they never surpassed EXILE, it's their masterpiece (LET IT BLEED comes close)

[@davescurry69]

@anfrankogezamartincic1161 Yeah, STICKY FINGERS and BEGGARS BANQUET are both up there as well. I put the Taylor era just ahead of the Jones era, although the Jones era has the most interesting music as it was the band at their most adventurous and experimental. Due in no small part to Brian Jones' influence, which cannot - and should not - be underestimated.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

@@davescurry69 Brian Jones was multi instrumentalist and sound innovator but was not an author. That don't means he wasn't important. I think that Bill Wyman is author of 1 or 2 songs through his career with The Stones but when he went off, they became a different band, not in the best way

[@leongiovanni9902]

what a fckn band! jeez how good they were

[@ramontieso1208]

I have loved this song for 50 years. I never knew what the words were till I watched your video.

[@dalexfilms]

Yep... All anyone can understand are bits and pieces. I should have looked the lyrics up years ago; they're great.

[@jesusrueda4853]

Please react to All down the line also from exile on main street but live from Texas 1972 it will show you their power live and why they were called the greatest rock and roll band!!!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Good one.

[@jacklee5807]

Amazing record

[@jbellinger99]

You are geting there - "Loving Cup" is the song. This album is a claustrophobic masterpiece, and the band is on fire throughout. This album signals the real end of the Rolling Stones as a creative Studio force.

[@jimmcdonald4087]

Loving Cup is my favorite Stones song. And Exile is their best album.

[@samlewis7878]

LOL- The Stones kept it all going for decades even after this one. You can't shut these guys down --- It goes on and on and and on. LOL

[@GatorScribe726]

Yeah, they carried on, but they never produced an album this solid all the way through again. Great songs here and there, but the albums were considerably weaker.

[@jbellinger99]

@@samlewis7878 They became a great live band, but went completely downhill in the studio. "Goats Head Soup" was good, but they NEVER again reached the heights of "Exile" - it is an irreplaceable album, which is more than can be said of any record that came after it.

[@samlewis7878]

@@jbellinger99 I would say, not really. It depends how you evaluate the level of creativity and intensivity of the band at the time. At the time of Exile, the band was a super nova of creativity, in your face and complex. Afterwards their energy level and sophistication become more varied and complex. Any of their albums kicked butt, I would say, but unfortuneately, after the time of Voodoo Lounge things got a lttle thin.. At some point, I think their ability to communacate intensely and professionally in the studio went totally down the drain. If they had even one great tune that would be a relief. Bridges to Babylon, I think was a little shaky and Bigger Bang, sadly was a total mess. Thank God they are still blinking incredible live- it kind of gives Stones fans hope for future studio albums. ( At 90 years old?--maybe not.)

[@sligert]

Love your reactions. Would love you to check out the whole album - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that adds up to one of the greatest expressions of human joy on record.

[@hugginduff]

i really like your analyses. You are so bright and articulate. always spot on

[@hugginduff]

I like the way you hear a record as if you were a musician.. you point out the little things that only a musician can hear...excellent

[@paultaylor9019]

Great song, great review.

[@phonebone81]

Hi there, in '69 Led It Bleed and '71 (Sticky Fingers) the Stones changed musically. Some of the Sticky Fingers album was written back in '69 but hasn't found it on vinyl yet. The change in style with new instruments (sax and more keyboards) only began with Sticky Fingers. Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. were their highlights and masterpieces for me along with the very good live performance on "Get Yer-Ya Ya's Out" (where Mick Taylor does a great job). They reinvented themselves with Sticky Fingers and Exile and... they're still around. Thanks for sharing and best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Man, you have a good ear, you hear the right details in music. And certainly a good taste

[@brendahhstiles9992]

I think this is their best era, it’s my favourite....I saw them when they toured for this album with Stevie Wonder as the opening act❤

[@ianaldridge4778]

The stones are cool dudes they can play any genre of music.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Please go deeper into Exile. You must listen to “Let it Loose,” one of Jagger’s most emotive vocals and the Stones’ deepest forays into Gospel-tinged soul. It hits hard. Another one to check out is the swampy gospel stomper “I Just Want to See His Face.”

[@TheCornishCockney]

Great great album. My fave track is still Rocks Off with so many instruments and a killer chorus. While on a Stones trip,check out a deep cut from their Goats Head Soup album called “Starfucker” about a groupie. It’s the mighty Stones at their Rockin best.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Nicky Hopkins on piano. Bobby Keys on sax. They started playing a lot of blues covers, then began writing their own songs.

[@ktrsBklyn]

one of the greatest songs by one of the greatest bands. Just TOP NOTCH.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Yes, the Stones didn’t always work in the same studio, like The Beatles did at Abbey Road. They would record when touring The States in NYC, L.A., Memphis, Chicago. Their tax-exile, they got a chalet or two in the south coast of France, and with their families near, and friends, and guest musicians,…they’d record at any hour of the day, amid alcohol, sex, drugs…why that album is so epic, and raw, and basic in sound. The Taxman, inspired great music.

[@philippedelorme6296]

The Stones always play this song at each date. It’s such a Keith song. Listen to the « Montreux rehearsals » in 1970 which are pure magic.

[@rickeylucero3955]

You got the volumes right!!! Well done. Music is just a bit louder than your mic. So now I can listen with you with headphones and not getting blown out by your voice. Thank you!!

[@LexwellLavers]

Great song. You should do Sticky Fingers and Some Girls albums in their entirety. Exile is great if you want to do a double album. Beggars Banquet is the break through album as far as my fandom with The Stones, this is the album where they really started to come into their signature style and away from the British invasion sound. You can't go wrong with any Stones album from Beggars Banquet to Some Girls. Their 80s albums remain strong but not as strong as their albums in the 60s/70s. The Laurel Canyon and SF bands came on strong in the late 60s to mid 70s and that's when the British invasion sound was taken over by The Doors, The Dead, Joplin, Hendrix, CSNY, Mitchell, etc.

[@michele-33]

Beggar's Banquet and Sticky Fingers would be great for reactions. SF first. If I could afford to sponsor an album reaction it would be one of Dylan's first tho 😎

[@alexgrgreen3572]

Yeah any album from beggars banquet through exile would be great to see but I do think he should hit some girls too. I’d put some girls against most stones albums

[@LexwellLavers]

@@alexgrgreen3572 I was 16 when some girls came out. my neighborhood friend and his mom had just come home from shopping and she bought him that album. we sat there from 3pm to 3am listening to that album start to finish over and over, I bought it later that day. still one of my favorites to this day. I miss buying an album and being able to listen to the whole thing over and over and it's always fresh even today.

[@hugginduff]

great catch of "call and response" I was a classical pianist undergrad , but I loved pop music, bought my first single at 4yo in 1958, and my first soul single at 5yo so I grew up with the beatles and the stones. Lyrics were not as important as the music and the arrangement. until I heard Simon and garfunkel's "Kathy's song" and " only living boy in the new york" , Bob dylan's early songs and later songs on "blood on the tracks" . I realized that pop music could be something more. But "Tumbling dice' remains one of my top 25 fav songs. Exile is fantastic. their best.

[@johnrectangle6034]

The problem with the Stones is when you think you got the best you'll find another song so good that you're gonna think "that's it,their best is here". I suggest Shattered,for the lyrics .And She' so hot and She's so cold for the musicality. I like your reactions,the way you talk about those old great songs with an open mind.

[@mikecaetano]

The Stones did the overdubs and final mixes for the album in Los Angeles. They shot some film during that time that shows them standing at an intersection where the street sign reads a "200 E." below what looks like 3rd or maybe 5th Street -- which would put them at the intersection of 5th and Los Angeles, literally two blocks away from Main Street in Los Angeles circa 1973.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

The Rolling Stones "Fool To Cry"...Nuff Said.

[@robertasirgutz8800]

Charlie Watts, RIP. At his best.

[@matzabean]

This one is all about Charlie for me - his time and feel rolls and rocks and swings and slaps. Just so compelling.

[@RaySawhill]

Smart reactions, tiptop Stones. Two names to get to know: Jimmy Miller, who produced four or five of the best Stones albums of this era, and Robert Frank, the Beat legend who did the great photos for “Exile on Main Street,”

[@antonballard2212]

Oh hell yes!!!

[@ktrsBklyn]

Considered by some to be the Stones greatest album. Putting it up there with the greatest albums of ALL. TIME.

[@encoreunefois1X]

There's great stuff everywhere on this track but I think the key is the drumming. It swings, pushes and punches like crazy.

[@hugginduff]

The best part of end of the piece is the keith richard's riff...ties everything together

[@dmCurator]

Hard to beat this live. You knew you were seeing something special. 70s 80s 90s 00s. Didn't matter. 🔥

[@nickcrisp7252]

The rhythm guitar - this is a shuffle rhythm. So many of Keith Richards' riffs are based on shuffles, it's where he came from, listening to the blues of Muddy Waters etc, and Chuck Berry who was perhaps his biggest guitar influence. I always liked the live performance of "Happy", 1970 (another one from this album). It's on KZbin (live video) if you want to check it out. I just love Mick and 'Keef' sharing the vocal duties on it. Richard's vocals, especially backing, are much ignored but give The Stones a key part of their sound imo.

[@nevin7094]

this album was one when the Stones were exiled from the UK due to taxes seriously overtaxing them due to the laws at the time so they exiled to the French Riviera, the whole band moved into Keith Richards house there, lived there for two years an made this album there recording in the basement. Legendary :)

[@genov9374]

when the stones go honky tonk/country, those are some of my favorites. If you haven't reacted, please try: Wild Horses, You Can't Always Get What you Want, Dead Flowers. Let It Bleed, and a couple more I can't think of now.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

I like how the repeat descending guitar riff...to me sounds and feels like a pair of dice rolling across surface..

[@davidgagne3569]

GREAT album. Interesting that Mick actually becomes the dice. GREAT song. And the drums - when the song proper swings back in after the break with repeating "roll me" lines. Frigging awesome.

[@iggtastic]

This is one of those songs that you play loud in the car with the windows down on the open road in summer time.

[@rachelpsmith3129]

Do the whole double album, Exile on Main Street. It's not perfect but I think it's their richest most rewarding work. You would adore it.

[@darrenbealeofficial]

I agree Rachel, with the it's the imperfections that truly gives the Stones their soul.

[@jbstonesfan]

Great reaction.Stones are the best!

[@rosamattisse4652]

The definition of rock & roll in the dictionary needs no more than one definition: The Rolling Stones. What you’re hearing is the ‘roll’ part of rock & roll. NO ONE, anywhere can match the stones in this category.

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

Exile on Main St. is such a beautiful album.. I was moved to tears, recently, listening to Torn and Frayed on a rival channel. :)

[@mary-annmckerchar8588]

Mick Taylor on bass - fab!

[@emeraldcity_]

Their best album as a whole. Worth exploring

[@marvinbohme7575]

The whole album "Exile on Main St." might be the essential piece for why the Stones are often referred to as the "greatest rock and roll band in the world". There are just great, groovy, dirty and sentimental pieces all over the place with "Tumbling Dice" as one of the best known tracks, although every song is part of a bluesy and rocking out community where no song stands out against the other. "Tumbling Dice" has an unique type of rhythm which really feels like tumbling paired with Mick Jagger's powerful lyrics and stumbling singing style, a beautifully sweet but also gritty guitar riff by Keith Richard's, Mick Taylor's chilling licks, a muffling bassline from Wyman, a heartbeat-like drumming from Charlie Watts (R.I.P.) and the backing vocals... geez, they're so well combined with the Stones's style and gospel which you can find often on "Exile". I would encourrage you to listen to the whole album, actually the first double album by the Stones, but you don't feel any lenghts in between this groove. I especially use this album by walking along green fields packed with canola fields in the spring time. My favorite live concert of theirs where I can say they were at their musical peak is either Marquee Club '71 or "Ladies and Gentlemen" in Texas in '72 where you already reacted to "Gimme Shelter".

[@peters7025]

This was my cousins favourite song of all time and it was played at his funeral. Definitely the Stones at their best

[@darrenherbst5572]

93 percent is coming soon to a theatre near you !!

[@Fuphyter]

Exile On Main Street is a phenominal album all around.

[@brianlehman710]

Greatest rock album ever. (Or maybe Blonde on Blonde)

[@VIDSTORAGE]

The Exile album is all based on old American southern style music and they knew how to get it right .

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

Not the usual players - Mick Taylor on bass, Jimmy Miller on drums, Jagger on rhythm guitar. The fabulous Clydie King and Venetta Fields backing vocals 🤘🏻

[@mobean7406]

Jagger is in there somewhere but make no mistake; the intro, the chug-a-lug rhythm, the solo, the fills and the refrain are all Keith

[@LeeKennison]

In a sense the Stones American influence goes back to their start, when you look at how much they pulled from the blues and gospel. In terms of the roots influences on 60s rock, I think the British bands did American much better than the American bands did American, but of course in a very British way.😉

[@mrb532]

Ventilator blues is a must from this album

[@tomfagrell7357]

This album is amazing and should be listened to it’s entireity. None of the songs are mixed for radio. No hits. Just fantastic music. Artistically, this is peak Rolling Stones and really the only thing of theirs that I listen to nowadays.

[@James-dh6ld]

Please don't forget the awesome fills of the understated Mr. Charlie Watts.

[@tonykichenside8443]

Mick Taylor and Keith Richard’s where perfect together.There best creative period of stone’s music

[@michaelkeefe8494]

I enjoy your approach to your reactions. English pop culture history... The Who were mods, the Stones were rockers, ... And the Beatles, famously, were mockers. Stones lasted forever because sleaze ages so much better than angst or cuteness. Oddly though, it was a very conscious early decision by the Stones to position themselves as the anti-Beatles that created the identity they grew into. They may have been outlaws, but they ran a tight business organization.

[@williamkfincher7904]

One of my favorite Stones tracks, great reactions. If you want to discover another sound that makes the Stones the most unique and diverse bands ever, they also do reggae very well. "Cherry oh Baby", Send it to me", "Short and Curlies" or " Luxury".

[@ursgeiser6570]

Yes, I make myself unpopular, never really found access to Exile ... : a double album - mostly short songs - to fly away or to dive into depending on what you want and what you take. Later, a song was rarely played live, which says something. Tumbling Dice is catchy, arranged rebelliously in pop, difficult to implement live in such a differentiated way. There was always a big difference between the studio and the live voice. My favs: the 3 creative Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and Sticky Finger; Steel Wheel for nostalgia reasons. Free taste✌

[@LexwellLavers]

Steel Wheels is a really good album imo. I traveled a lot when it came out and it kept me company along with other albums at airports and on airplanes. It's an album that's almost a throwback to their 70s stuff, lots of great guitar riffs, the band is really cooking, and well rounded song writing.

[@hugginduff]

Most UK bands in the 60s were listening to US blues, R/B, soul in their youth, etc. ..so , after Brian jones died, the next day "honky tonk women" was released and became their biggest hit in the US. and the they started to put out more 'soulful, bluesy albums".

[@mobean7406]

This is not a traditional shuffle rhythm - like, say 'Pride and Joy'- rather it's got the fat pocket New Orleans vibe. This and Rocks Off. What a band, what a tune.

[@hungfao]

I always thought Mick's vocals resembled those on the old Kingsmen song 'Louie, Louie'.

[@doiminiclynch5208]

Great song

[@rachelpsmith3129]

I'd love to see you react to the album opener, Rocks Off.

[@oldmannick34]

This is in my top 5 Stones songs. The groove is ridiculous. This album is truly amazing. It starts out truly manic. There was probably a huge amount of cocaine involved! But the album slowly morphs into gospel and calms down. It's considered one of the great rock and roll albums of all time. The Stones didn't "compose" songs like the Beatles did. Nothing was sacred. The groove was king. I imagine they just kept playing a song over and over until it just felt right and then hit the "record" button.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Great track . . Exile On Main Street is a superb album.

[@Mftjan2000]

They started in 62...More than 60 years now. Keith will be 80 December 18...Mick turned 80 in July.

[@jnagarya519]

Mick Jagger was upper class, attended London School of Economics, pretending he's actually street. Brian Jones, upper middle class.

[@imtoxic9895]

Man you gotta listen to Bob Dylans song ''Senor'' from his album Street Legal! The live versions from 1978 are great, especially the one from charlotte 78.

[@topper1958]

Exile is so classic because it was under produced. Something that never happens today.

[@redpine8665]

British radio was soaked in bubble gum pop in the early and mid 60's, young British musicians could sometimes get an American blues station to come in. American blues players found themselves with a rebirth of popularity later in life in Britian and toured there and influenced a lot of English rock bands. Particularly Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

[@boballen3055]

The Stones Have a uncanny way of Blending musical styles With one caveat The Blues Rock and Blues Rhythm and Blues County and Blues Gospel and Blues Punk and Blues Dance and Blues The Sun The Moon The Stones 😂 Sustenance of Life😂

[@georom]

Best outro ever

[@scottlbroco]

Sayed, you've listened to your first song from what I hope will be all of the greatest rock and roll album ever. Exile On Main Street is the Rolling Stones at their peak, and many like me believe the Stones from 1968 to 1973 were the best any band ever got. I was a teenager in the 70s, when the Stones were the biggest band in the world. But the establishment looked on them as outlaw, drugged up, bad examples for America's youth. For all their success and fame, the Rolling Stones felt like freaks. The cover of Exile On Main Street features photographs of circus freaks on the front, with photos of the Stones, (who were the world's most famous freaks), exiles from their home country, on the back cover. This album was recorded in the 3 story basement of Keith's mansion in the south of France. The band became an 8 piece band on this album with the additions of the great Nicky Hopkins on piano, Jim Price on trumpet and trombone and Bobby Keys on sax. The key to what makes the Stones different is that the drummer is NOT the time keeper in this band. The time keeper is Keith Richards, with Charlie Watts playing off the beat in Keith's riffs. This different dynamic adds swing to their music, and during their live shows they could rock like no one else. People don't really sit very much during a Stones show. Mick Taylor idolized Keith Richards, and he told the story of watching Keith sit on the floor for 7 straight hours as he developed and perfected the tumbling riff of the song that became Tumbling Dice. The main lead and harmony vocals for Exile were added later by Mick and Keith at a studio located on Main Street in Los Angeles, where the backing vocalists were also added. There's blues, country, boogie woogie and gospel flavors throughout the album. There's even a gospel song. As much as you marveled over the progressive rock genius of Pink Floyd, this is genius of another kind. This album is perhaps the best example of why the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock and roll band there's ever been.