Customer Reviews

Brussels Affair: Definitive Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many people consider the 1969 Rolling Stones release Get Your Ya-Ya's Out to be the greatest live album of all time. This is better. Miles better.

This snapshot of the 1973 Rolling Stones tour of Europe in support of the Goats Head Soup album finds the band at the pinnacle of their live prowess. Brussels Affair is such a revelation because not only is the band firing on all cylinders as a cohesive force but because Mick Taylor strides the stage like a rock colossus in a way he had never before or since. Taylor begins soloing early in Brown Sugar and never stops for the rest of the concert.

Gimme Shelter is perhaps the most original and enduring song in the Stones cannon, capable of knocking a listener out in any of the many interpretations the band has put forth over the years. However, listening to the guitar interplay between the savage slashing of Keith Richards on the rhythm riffs and Mick Taylor's monster soloing will take your breath away.

This album is that good. Do not let it's boot-status scare you off, the sound quality is crystal-clear professional quality. Why it was never officially released is one of the great rock and roll mysteries.

The Definitive Edition adds songs cherry picked from various '73 European shows to the classic Brussels concert.

Though this outstanding live set from the 1973 European Tour was scheduled for official release, The Rolling Stones were prevented from doing so due to a contractual agreement with their former record company.

And in one of those mysteries in the music industry, the album was issued as a bootleg, with only slight variations in the numbers. The sound quality is very good, since it was taken from the sound board and not altered through studio overdubs, which is a staple of the band's concert releases.

The band left Decca/ABKO in 1970 and was prevented for seven years from releasing material recorded with the label. The concert was recorded in Brussels on October 17 and 13 of the 14 songs are from the gig (Street Fighting Man may be from an earlier tour date).

Clocking in at nearly 73 minutes, the band sizzles through the set, which features Brown Sugar, Happy, Gimme Shelter, Dancing With Mr. D and Jumping Jack Flash. Depending on the edition, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) may be dropped for Star Star.

Arguably the best live release from the band's illustrious career, this is one affair that will remain fresh after repeated visits.

There I said it......

This is in fact the best Stones album bar none. Yes, really! Sound quality is amazing. The Stones are at their peak musically and as a performing band. Why this was never released officially is a tragedy! Mick Taylor's leads are on fire, Wyman's bass sounds like a mini-concerto on each song. Charlie and Keith are in top form. And Mick's voice is firing on all cylinders. Never heard them musically this good on ANY Stones album to date.

But, now in 2011 it is out on the Android site for an unbelievable $4.95! Once you buy it you can download it to your computer as a 320k MP3 and then into iTunes or whatever. This is a no-brainer. Just do it!

Yes, a true Red Book standard CD-DA silver pressed factory disc of the Stones "Brussels Affair" title is a 5-star affair. It's unfortunate that the disc associated with this Amazon listing is under the label (As much as that term's worth here!) named "Cellar Dweller", out of the U.K. People, this is some punk slob burning CD-R's in his Mother's basement, and printing out the inserts on his printer! This stuff is junk, garbage not worth the U.S.$1.00 it costs him to make it. This is one reason why he is now out of business. So, anyone paying more than U.S.$0.99 for a copy of this 'Cellar Dweller' junk, well, you got beat!
However, anyone wanting a copy of this great RoIO (Release of Illegal/Indeterminate Origin) title, go find yourself a silver pressed version. Yes, these ARE costly today, however, this album is certainly one that's well worth the investment, primarily for the superb performance, but financially too it'll appreciate in value.
This was the Stones at their best, the height of the Mick Taylor years, so own a proper copy.
Ride on...

Track 2 Gimme Shelter is awesome. This CD has been in my car for 4 years and nothing can replace it...not even Beefheart's Bongo Fury or Trout Mask!! The guitar interraction is beyond belief on T2.