Ruby Tuesday

"Don't question why she needs to be so free

She'll tell you it's the only way to be

She just can't be chained

To a life where nothing's gained

And nothing's lost

At such a cost"

"There's no time to lose, I heard her say

Catch your dreams before they slip away

Dying all the time

Lose your dreams 

And you will lose your mind

Ain't life unkind?"

from Ruby Tuesday Jagger/Richard(s)

Exile on Vinyl Street

I feel compelled to land some type on this phosphorescent canvas before my eyelids close for the day. The reason is nearly 40 years old. A tale of too many drinks, drugs, deals and divas - across two continents, including chateaus used by the Nazis and tax exiles trying to make a bit of vinyl music.

So popular retelling has it. And today the wonderful people of iToons will re-re-release the Rolling Stones' double album Exile on Main Street, a wonderful, crazy, crankin', ragged double vinyl with cover layout by John Van Hammersveld (you know the Endless Summer poster) and photography by legendary lensman Robert Frank, himself an exalted chronicler of exiles on main streets.

JvH Poster courtesy of Audio Absinte

If you are in Brinetopia glue yourself to the original Tube and watch the documentary on ABC1 9:30pm Thursday 20 May 2010.

40 Years Ago

40 years ago tomorrow, those swaggering Brits, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger released one of my all time favourite tunes - Gimme Shelter. Here's the first few verses. Buy it. Play it loud.

Oh, a storm is threat'ning

My very life today

If I don't get some shelter

Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away

It's just a shot away

War, children, it's just a shot away

It's just a shot away

Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'

Our very street today

Burns like a red coal carpet

Mad bull lost its way

Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter 1969

Spring 2009