Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Janovitz (of the band Buffalo Tom) tells of personal accounts and uses interviews to tell of this classic rock recording. the 33 1/3 books are one of the coolest collections to come around in a long time, and any real music fan should stock up on the lot. Each books give the writer complete artistic freedom, and it truly makes for great reading. Get 'Em All! So stop playing your favorite album and just READ IT!

The problem with writing about "Exile" is that it's such a rich and storied period in the Stones' career that writers often down know where to start, or what tone to take once they get going.

There's more than enough music to focus on, but there's also a boatload of drug-related illicitness that could be dealt with.

Janovitz (who plays in the band Buffalo Tom and writes extensively for AMG) covers the music with a musician's expertise without getting boring, and he brings to the table the genuine enthusiasm of a Stones fan.

He writes about what the album meant to him -- and, if you're a huge fan of the record, you'll probably be able to relate to his brief tales of youth. But then he digs into the work with the enthusiasm of a musician who's breaking down songs he loves: Did Keith play electric piano on that song? Or is it Nicky Hopkins? How has the group's approach to gospel evolved in relation to earlier attempts? Who are the background vocalists on a particular song? Discuss the unusual mixing and the circumstances under which the recording was made.

Another reviewer said there's too much Janovitz here, which I don't really understand because while he has asides and a distinct, conversational voice to his writing, I think it makes this book go down a lot easier than, say, Robert Greenfield's recent hipper-than-thou present-tense misfire, "A Season in Hell with the Rolling Stones."

Plus, it's cheaper and cool and hip-pocket sized without being too small. Although I do think it may be too short.

This book functions as more of a listener's guide than a historical inside look at the sessions. While Janovitz does not unearth a ton of new information on Exile, I found his writing to be quite engaging. He points out nuances buried in this muddy recording that I had not heard before despite having listened to the album dozens of times previously. Janovitz accomplishes what any good piece of rock writing should do, and that is make you want to listen to what they are writing about.

I would contrast this book with Andy Miller's book on the Kinks' Village Green album, which is loaded with historical anecdotes and factoids, but is bit dry from a literary standpoint. I struggled to get through Miller's book, but flew through Janovitz's book.

This is the first of the 33 1/3 series I bought, and after reading a dozen or so, I can say it's easily the best. Most of the series focus on the music from a fairly personal point of view, and Janowitz certainly does this, but he's a knowledgeable musician and he gets what's interesting about each song. It's a very rock kind of approach to what is probably the greatest rock album.

By the way, I'm not much of a Buffalo Tom fan, so Janowitz's own status didn't influence me one way or another.

Yes, there are better books about the band, and even about the making of Exile. But this is the book you want to read while you're listening to the album. It's like having a really cool, knowledgeable rock buddy sitting with you, getting into the music and talking with you about it.

I enjoy the CD even more after reading this book. The only better read you could get is from someone who was actually there during the making of the album.

Makes an excellent case for why "Exile On Main St." is the best rock and roll album ever. The look, the sound, the drama...most importantly the "feel". It's all here. Another great entry in this fantastic series.

This writer drew me in and left me richer for having picked up this book. I have a renewed and expanded appreciation for Exile on Mainstreet, the Stones, and American music. This was just what I needed but I had no idea until I got into it. It's a must for anyone familiar with Exile or the Stones.