The Contrarians Panel: Dark Horse Album #39 - The Rolling Stones Black and Blue 

Before i even listen to the panel. I love this album. Micks voice sounds the best to me on this album. My 3rd fav stones album after Exile and let it bleed. A plus

I love this album, and I've also never heard a song from this on the radio, and every other Stones album from 1964-94 has songs played. For some reason this album is ignored but it's a great listen. Crazy Mama and Hand Of Fate are two great rockers, Memory Motel is one of their best ballads and I love the dirty funk of Hey Negrita and Hot Stuff. Billy Preston brings a lot to Melody and I've always enjoyed that slow blues shuffle. I'd give this album 9/10.

Martin, you are correct it was Musicland Studios where Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page) was hurrying to record Presence and Mick gave them a few more days to finish before the Stones were to record Black And Blue. Great show gentleman !

They asked which lp is better. Emotional rescue or black and Blue? For me, black and blue by far !! I like how micks voice has the raspy gruff sound on black and blue. If someone never heard of the Stones and wanted to hear a song that kinda defines their sound, i would say listen to Crazy Mama and Hand of fate. That says it all

Fun chat! Love this high-quality sleeper Stones album and especially the wide chorusy rhythm guitar track on "Hot Stuff".

Two great ballads , two classical "Stones " ( Hand of Fate and Crazy Mama , ) , one jazzy peace "Melody " , 2 experimental -Hey Negrita and Hot Stuff - love this album . Love cover . Eight stars for me .Transitional period . BTW - Bravo Martin !

Great show- thanks! I'll give this 7.3. I LOVE first 2 songs. And Crazy Mama cool and dig Hey Negrita's funky groove. Other songs remind me of the lesser and languid songs on Goats and It's Only. Cool question of Martin's re comparing to Emo Rescue.

Nice takes. Black and Blue is a FUN album. I've said for years the Black Crowes have this album in their DNA. Also, the best sounding Stones album, IMO, is Goats Head Soup. But this one is up there in regards to just pure sound.

I love this album love the songs and love the reggae style but I am just a regular music lover

8/10 😉 My Dad had two Stones albums. Goat's Head Soup and Black and Blue. As a kid I loved Black and Blue but always kinda neglected Goat's Head Soup. For me Goat's Head Soup always seemed too artsy. Black and Blue was more of a straight rocker which, as a kid, I dug more 🤗

Great show guys! Finally I see Black and Blue here. It's in my top five Stones records, a great underrated record and one reason I like it so much is: NO hits on it. I would rate it at least 8.5/10. I really listen to this album quite often. A suggestion for Dark Horse Album - Gary Moore's After the War, a record pretty forgotten just before his blues period.

I've got a lot of time for "Black and Blue." Although it wasn't an influence on me like "Through the past darkly," {which I borrowed and never returned !} it was the first Stones album I actually bought. In a way, it was a bit of a mistake. When my musical tastes were changing, back in '79/80, I was utterly smitten with the Stones and "Thru the past..." and by the time I got around to buying "B&B" I was on a heavy rock trajectory. The funny thing is, having just bought "Physical Graffiti" 2 days previously, I went back to this hotel that sold records {this guy literally had them spread out on the floor} with the aim of picking up another LP. There was stuff by all these artists that I'd just discovered {BOC, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Kiss, Styx, Cheap Trick, Status Quo, all of which I'd eventually buy, spending my bus money if need be !} and a few others that I'd go on to check out like Jethro Tull and Genesis, but because I had no conception of dates and line-ups at the time, I bought "Black and Blue." Heck, I reasoned, it's the Stones. It wasn't anything like "Through the past, darkly", it wasn't as good, it didn't thrill me anywhere near as much....but nevertheless, I liked it, after a fashion. I actually remembered the song "Fool to cry" from when I was 13, back in '76. There used to be this current affairs programme called "Today" {one of its presenters was Bill Grundy, who presided over the infamous Sex Pistols '4 letter outrage' live on TV later that year} and they did a feature on Mick Jagger. I remember it because they showed footage of him in a gig throwing a bucket of water over the audience front rows. Anyway, "Fool to cry" was playing during the feature. I like all the songs on the album, "Memory Motel," "Hand of fate," Crazy Mama" and "Hey Negrita" being the stand-outs. I always thought "Cherry Oh baby" was a fair, but rather embarrassing song. It's one of the worst attempts at reggae I've heard. I'm generally one of those Black guys that actually prefers most attempts by White artists to infuse reggae and ska into their music because they tend to be more inventive and fusion-minded, whereas the "authentic" Black bands I've generally found to be slaves to the dub groove. But the Stones on this sound pretty ropey and amateurish. I always liked "Melody." It's so smooth and "supper club" jazzy and I give the Stones props for even attempting such a song. Actually, I'd say the same for "Cherry", even if it is a wounded horse of an execution. It's a varied rather than experimental album ¬> because the Rolling Stones were pretty much always an experimental band until into the 80s. If I had to rate it, I'd give it 7/10. I re-bought it back in the early 90s and it's an album that still holds up for me. When I saw the Stones at Wembley in '82, I was a bit miffed that they didn't sing anything from the album. It was only 6 years old at the time. Funny postscript ¬> my original copy, I lent to a guy I thought was my friend. He refused to give it back to me, so I kept his copy of Deep Purple's "Come Taste the Band" ~ one of my favourites of theirs ! That was 43 years ago. I'm still listening to it ! 🤫

Appreciate the love for Black and Blue - I have it as my tenth best Stones album, so probably more of a 7. Don't get the love for Emotional Rescue - outside of "She's So Cold" it is in my bottom three along with Undercover and Dirty Work. "Hand of Fate" and "Crazy Mama" are awesome and "Memory Motel' is very special. "Fool to Cry" is along with "Emotional Rescue" my least favorite Stones hit - not counting "Harlem Shuffle" or course which was a cover

I adore this album. It has my favorite Stones song, "Memory Motel," and two other top-tenners in "Hand of Fate" and "Crazy Mama." Mick Jagger sounds the best he ever did on this record, in my opinion. "Memory Motel" is a song which never fails to move, transport, and astonish me. It is one of those albums where I know I'm firmly in the contrarian camp in considering them all-time gems. A few others are Get Behind Me Satan by the White Stripes, Born Again by Black Sabbath, and Standing on the Shoulder of Giants by Oasis.

Crazy Mamma riff and how they scream ...essence of Stones !

This is funny. I've been a stones fan since I was a kid in the 80s. I listened to their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s etc and liked most all of it. For some reason I skipped this and was vinyl browsing, saw this, and got it. It's now one of my favorite stones albums.

For me, my 3rd favourite Stones' album after "Exile on Main St." and "It's only Rock 'n Roll." Bought "Black and Blue" when it came out and have loved it ever since. They recorded the song 'Slave' at the same sessions and pity they didn't add it. Anyway, for me everything is top-notch even with guest guitarists onboard. A five star album for me.

Black and Blue was a grower for me.When you come out with Sticky Fingers,Exile,Goats Head Soup and It's Only Rock n Roll that's a hard act to follow.Over the years thou I've grown to love it when I don't compare it to other Stones albums

great record. Underrated. Sounds great. Great songs.

Great show guys. A highly underrated Stones album. One of my favourites by them. Memory Motel is beautiful. 8.5/10.

I played Black and Blue a lot as a kid (probably because I didn't own too many other albums). I associate it with a beautiful time (7th-8th grade years), when I was just discovering music. A friend of mine had an older sister with a great collection. One day, not sure if it was finding Jesus or just leaving home, but she gifted me three Stones lps. I got this one, It's Only Rock and Roll, and Exile on Mainstreet, basically a Stones starter pack. I think I turned down Goats Head Soup, not liking the cover. I probably like Black and Blue more for sentimental reasons, more than substance or quality. It's like a first girlfriend/first kiss. Thank you, for a great review of a personal fave.

Keith played all of the Chuck Berryeesque leads on the early albums, Brian did more nuanced things like slide and then started to experiment with anything but guitar

No argument from me here, as "Hand Of Fate" is one their most underrated tracks...EVER!! Plus, it was good enough to be featured on an episode of that 3-season TV show "Zoo" back in 2017. Also, the title track and "Fool To Cry" are two other immortal/standout cuts, in my obviously unsolicited opinion! With the album's secret guest v.i.p. being percussionist Ollie E. Brown!😇

Not a cohesive album but some really good stuff. Wayne Perkins guitar solo on Hand of Fate is one of the Stones best! Memory Motel is special for anyone who has vacationed on Montauk Long Island, played pool in that place a few times lol

I like the drum sound and drumming on Black & Blue

“Hand of Fate” and “Memory Motel” are excellent tracks.

For me, it is a bit like The Soft Parade by The Doors or The Stones own Their Satanic Majesties Request. I can listen to it when I am in the mood for something different from those bands, like the jamming. I have both albums on vinyl which means that, because I don't like to lift the needle, I have to sit through a few painful tracks. At least there is no snoring recorded for inclusion on this album as there is on Their Satanic Majesties Request. 6.5/10.

If there is a reason why Emotional Rescue doesn't feel consistent , it's because Mick and Keith were at odds about the song choices, the mixing, and production. So some of the left overs ended up on the next one, some came out on deluxe editions, and others unfinished.

I am a huge Stones fan. In my top 5 bands of all time. Probably number 2 or 3 depending. This album is an underrated gem. Sure it is not as strong as albums like Sticky Fingers, Exile, Beggars, Some Girls, but for any big fan of the band it is a welcome respite from some very well worn records. I would give it a solid 7. I like all the tracks, particularly the groovy bits. I also, unlike Martin, dig Melody. Hand of Fate is the almost as harrowing sequel to Heartbreaker.

Hot Stuff is still one of my favourite tracks. As Keef said, a "marking time" album.

This is my most favorite Stones album contains great songs .

Fool To cry and memory motel are worth the price of admission alone True though like undercover of the night it's not something you really go to grab what do you like hey I want to hear some stones but sometimes it is good to pull it out and give it a listen 8.25

This is one of my favorite stones albums. I think it’s full of grooves, attitude, and a cool jammy quality. The production is terrific, and I think most of the songs are great. I love “Hot Stuff”, “Fool To Cry”, “Memory Motel”, “Hand Of Fate”, “Hey Negrita”, etc.

Other Stones contenders besides Emotional Rescue would be Between The Buttons, Goats Head Soup and Undercover.

I bought this album in NYC on a trip. My friend bought Red Octopus Jefferson Starship. We spent all our money on records..and the occassional orange julius...lol

It’s a pretty good album. Overshadowed somewhat by the brilliant some girls after. The Rolling Stones good period up to 1981.

There is that little outro solo on Crazy Mama that is very odd and quick... that's Ronnie doing his overdub after they had been building up the bedtrack. It's very cool. Also, a neat little thought I've had is right after Ronnie switches to playing straight guitar to slide near the end of Hey Negrita, Jagger says "good idea" lower and off the mic....could that mean Jagger's vocal was live during the take? Amazing if so. It's neat that Mick plays paino and keith as electric piano on Memory Motel. These guys were so veritable in the roles and approaches to songwriting. Though Meoldy is an odd one, Keith really plays some very cool guitar on that. The sessions also produced the main tracks for Slave and Worried About You. In my platlist of this era, I always play Worried About You and Slave after Crazy Mama, and I open the set of songs with the deluxe version of Scarlet form Goats Head as it came from sessions after It's Only Rockn Roll.

Black and blue is one of the only stones albums I listen to occasionally

Always loved this album! Hot Stuff is amazing!

Hand of fate. Always sounded like a older stone song. Like a differant era.

Wish I could join this discussion when it comes to the Stones! 🙂

Great job, gang! Always interesting to check out the lesser talked about tracks from the legends. Special props to Brendan for beating me to the suggestions for this album by around an hour! I wanted to be there, but couldn’t. My bias here is that all six 1970’s Stones albums are my top six when ranking the discography. Melody is probably the weakest song the Stones released in the 1970s, but this album is at least an 8.5/10. Also, Grant is correct that we discussed Emotional Rescue AND Undercover on Peter’s channel. I enjoy those as well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hnF4u5ewq9U.html

Billy Preston was unofficial member of Rolling Stones . They gave him " Melody " .

RS really had no 2nd guitarist since Taylor quit in 1974. Mandell and Perkins pulled RS over the finish lane.

I grew up with the Stones and Beatles in the 60s but was always a half-hearted Stones fan. This is my fav Stones album, which probably means I'm not a REAL Stones fan.

Love the record but "Cherry Oh Baby" is their worst song till the Dirty Work album. Undercover was the last real Stones album.

This 47 year old turd certainly fits the bill for The Contrarians. It´s a bonkers choice, but why not. Perhaps Lou Reed´s Metal Machine Music will get an episode on The Contrarians at some point. Sarcasm aside, great show as usual, fellas!

Nice panel discussion. Enjoyed it. B&B is as much underrated as Exile is overrated imo. Greetings

I really love that album, for me it's a classic one. The sound is super, songs are great and the time was fantastic. It was much more exciting, not that much fucking rules in Holland as these days

I enjoy this album a lot though I don't it's perfect. But what I do strongly think is that it was completely necessary for them. Songwise, I love Goat's Head Soup and It's Only Rock & Roll but somehow they were beginning to sound tired. Keith wasn't in good shape and Mick Jagger was carrying all the load. And kudos for him because he did an amazing job. People tend to forget that. But a change was needed. Mick Taylor was a wonderful guitar player but not the right one for the second half of 70's in my opinion. For me the absolute gem in It's Only Rock and Roll was Fingerprint File. The out layer on that album. But that one was hidden at the end of the album. Opening the new album with Hot Stuff they sounded fresh again and suited perfectly with the new Mick Jagger stage persona. I disagree with you guys with Hand Of Fate and Crazy Mama. They are two to strong tracks, specially Hand Of Fate, but they remind me the tired Stones. That could be a perfect switch, Hand Of Fate on It's Only Rock and Roll and Fingerprint File on Black on Blue. What about that?

I love that album

Auditioning 4 guitarist

My 1st Stones album . Got it for discount for 50 cents . always liked it ,but never loved it.

??? Wow…! If Emotional Rescue is an “8” then Let it Bleed is a “35” !!

GOOD ALBUM

How does one follow Exile?

Stones never made a bad album.

Christgau hates everything? Not the Stones. He’s been a fan for years.

I'm a big Stones fan. I'm not a big fan of this album. It's average at best in my opinion. 🤷

Emotional Rescue is a great fucking record. Except for Indian Girl it's a 10. I like Dance better than Miss You.

I don't like the Stones and consider them as one of the most overrated bands ever (CCR anyone??), but if I was forced to listen to a Stones album this would be the one I would go for. I'd give it a 6/10.

Its their best record ever... just saying, but Im a Beatles fan anyway 😂

Too much to disagree with from the panel. Peace.

Cherry oh baby ,🤢🤢🤮

Hand of Fate is really good ,the rest of the songs are pretty mediocre.