The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3) [Paperback]

Bill Janovitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2005 | Series: 33 1/3 (Book 18)

Thirty-Three and a Third is a series of short books about critically acclaimed and much-loved albums of the past 40 years. Over 50,000 copies have been sold! “Passionate, obsessive, and smart.” —Nylon “…an inspired new series of short books about beloved works of vinyl.” —Details Description Tracing the creation of Exile on Main St. from the original songwriting done while touring America through the final editing in Los Angeles, Bill Janovitz explains how an album recorded by a British band in a villa on the French Riviera is pure American rock & roll. Looking at each song individually, Janovitz unveils the innovative recording techniques, personal struggles, and rock & roll mythmaking that culminated in this pivotal album. Excerpt Exile is exactly what rock & roll should sound like: a bunch of musicians playing a bunch of great songs in a room together, playing off of each other, musical communion, sounds bleeding into each other, snare drum rattling away even while not being hit, amps humming, bottles falling, feet shuffling, ghostly voices mumbling on and off-mike, whoops of excitement, shouts of encouragement, performances without a net, masks off, urgency. It is the kind of record that goes beyond the songs themselves to create a monolithic sense of atmosphere. It conveys a sense of time and place and spirit, yet it is timeless. Its influence is still heard today. Keith Richards has said, tongue in cheek, the record “was the first grunge record.”>

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bill Janovitz's riveting look at Exile on Main Street is a must-read, not just for diehard Stones fans, but for anyone in interested in rock 'n roll, American roots music, the Sixties, and pop culture in the broadest sense. Janovitz combines the perspectives of historian, memoirist, critic, and fan in a concise appreciation of this monumental record; you'll never think about the Rolling Stones in quite the same way again after reading it." -Tom Perrota

“Janovitz, by widening and narrowing his lens at will much as the Stones themselves did with the music that inspired them, ultimately delivers a uniquely free-wheeling text that offers readers the equivalent of a fresh set of ears.” –Harp Magazine

-Mention. Ugly Things/ Issue 25

About the Author

Bill Janovitz is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter in the band Buffalo Tom. He has also released three solo albums. He has written extensively for the All Music Guide online site, www.allmusic.com. He lives in Massachusetts.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (February 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082641673X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826416735
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Exile yet, January 20, 2007

By 

Kenneth Cheek "kjcheek" (Southern US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3) (Paperback)

Just finished Janovitz's Exile book and I was really impressed with his style. He provides a detailed account of the characters, setting and circumstances surrounding the recording of "Exile on Main Street". I collect books on the Stones and this easily goes into my top three due to the details of why Exile was such a breakthrough for the Stones as artists. I loved the fact that Janovitz breaks down the tracking on Exile song by song. He provides a lot of insight of the sounds and meanings behind every song. I know this record by heart but he knocked it out of the park pointing out things I hadn't considered before such as the importance of Jimmy Miller's percussion influence or Nicky Hopkin's contribution vs. Ian Stewart's on Exile.

I LOVED it. I give it 5 stars!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stones Fans Will Love It, October 6, 2005

By 

Danny (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3) (Paperback)

Bill Janovitz, frontman for Buffalo Tom and Crown Victoria, presents a well-written account of rock's greatest record. Any Clash fan who questions why "London Calling" always comes after "Exile on Main St." as the best rock record ever made will understand why after reading Janovitz's prose. The descriptions Janovitz gives of his experiences with the record are easily related to anyone who grew up in a suburban/urban area during that time-frame. I recommend the book, along with a six-pack of beer and a set of headphones.... It's just good story telling.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, November 18, 2005

By 

Guy Incognito (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. (33 1/3) (Paperback)

Very detailed and well-written account of the greatest rock and roll album ever made. To be honest, I would've preferred a few hundred more pages about Exile, but Janovitz crams a lot into this little book. Worth multiple readings if you're a big fan of the album.