33 1/3 - #18
The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St.
by Bill Janovitz
The concept behind the 33 1/3 book series is totally sweet. Choose a music critic, a professor at a school with a prestigious music program, or a hip and popular songwriter and have them write a 100 page book about a seminal pop or rock 'n' roll album. 57 have been published since its inception in October of 2003. I have read seven in the series so far, and they vary in quality (though not by much) and appeal. My favs so far have been the books on The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures and Pixies' Doolittle.
Just the other day I finished up the 18th book in the series, The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St., written by Bill Janovitz. I don't know where it ranks in most critics' all time lists, but this guy argues that Exile... is the greatest rock album ever. It most definitely is not atop my list of favorites, I haven't even spent a ton of time with it. However, Janovitz almost had me convinced there for a minute.
Exile on Main St. is without question a great rock record though, and the accompanying book indulges in its history and mythology. In spite of some drama, like Mick lyrically confronting Keith Richards about his lifestyle and Keith's insane sleeping and recording habits, it seems like the recording process went considerably smoothly. A bunch of dudes, hanging out in the basement of a giant mansion in France, drinking, drugging and recording some jammin' tunes.
The most interesting description of the process is how it seems like everyone was in the same room when recording, and nobody cared. You can hear all sorts of background noise: talking, tapping, clanking, hooting, etc. Sloppy business. Sounds like fun. Something else new that I learned is that Keith Richards doesn't solo. Surprised me.
As small of a book as it is (160-some pages), it is vast in its display of knowledge and imagery of the recording of my favorite Stones record. If you like the Stones, read it. If you like reading about rock music, check out the entire series. It really is a great thing.
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