Exile on Main Street

What a great title!  Exile on Main Street. The irony of it.

I think Main Street means America and american music.

And I think Exile means living in France to escape the taxes, the fans, and the expectations.

But to me, Exile on Main Street means the greatest rock and roll record ever made.  It is in the Top 50 and has been from day one.

Since 1982, in every home that the Gotham Gal and I have lived in, after setting up the music system this record is the first one played. Exile on Main Street is it when it comes to rock in roll in our house.

What prompted this outburst of love for this record?

I just finished Bill Janowitz' 33 1/3 book on Exile.

Bill loves this record as much as I do.  If you are in the same camp, get the book.

He does a great job of explaining the way the Stones weaved rock and roll, country, blues, gospel, and soul into a Route 66-like tour across the heart of America.

And did it all in the basement of Keith's mansion on the southern coast of France.

But most of all, he explains how this record is about the evolving relationship between the Glimmer Twins.

Best of all, this book caused me to listen to Exile five times in the past couple days.  What could be better than that?

Comments

[bob struble]

amen brother. getting my my ipod for christmas prompted me to listen to exile about 20 times in the last few months. the reigning champ, no questions.

[ellen]

We of the older generation know it. You have made me feel really old today.

[Mike]

You don't have to be old -- I don't THINK I am, and this is number one on my top 50 list.

Now I know why I like reading Fred so much.

[jackson]

All told I think I've purchased about nine copies of that one...it keeps going missing....wonder why?

"The sunshine bores the daylights outta me...."

[george]

It's strange that this record feels as fresh today as it did when I first heard it in 1972. Most of the Stones' work has held up very well over the years, however this one stands the test of time, and will for years to come. It's pure genius, and I hear something new every time I listen to it.

PS - My kids love it.

[cyruja]

your post and the comments are OK, i am listening right now to exile and it gets better and better... everything is OK but... yes, but, WHY DID U PUT A CD COVER???
u can count on me if you need a picture of a real double LP.
all the best!

[Michel]

Just ordered the Janowitz book from Amazon and can't wait to get my hands on it. Exile stands alone. Nothing comes near it. After the tenthousandth listen I can't wait till the tenthousandth and first.