When people who contributed remarkly to history pass away, the only wise thing to do is to take a step back and pay respect to them. Music is contemporary history, and John Peel has been one of its most notable storytellers. His death not only saddens, but will show everyone the gap he filled so properly each night from mon to wed on BBC Radio 1. Yours truly, as thousands of others people, will have now a good reason to uninstall the Media Player from the pc. Below, the obituary published on BBC website. Sincere words from someone who knew him well. Rest In Peace John, red light out your& nbsp;studio will never fade off. Ciao, Chris

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Obituary: John Peel

Broadcaster John Peel was the champion of British music for nearly 40 years on his late-night Radio 1 show. He led the way in promoting new acts, from David Bowie, through Joy Division to the White Stripes.

This time I'll not start with a comment, but from something I found in the press in the very last days. It's from The Times, which I considered one of the few respectable British newspapers:

Bill put them on the big screen it back in 1983, but Stones' Digital Dreams are now really close to turn real. Obviously, yours truly keeps his fingers crossed, but having a card as Four Flicks to put on the table is like enjoying five aces in your hand. Waiting to see what will happen, enjoy these Billboard just-in news. Ciao, Chris

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Rolling Stones are finalists for two of Billboard magazine's inaugural Digital Entertainment Awards. The veteran U.K. rock band's "Four Flicks" (TGA Entertainment) is up in the music DVD of the year and best use of technology by an artist categories.

Also on the DVD slate is "Dave Matthews Band in Central Park" (Coming Home Studios), "Coldplay, Live2003" (Parlophone) and "The Filth and the Fury: The Sex Pistols" (New Line Home Entertainment). Other entities nominated for the best use of technology award are the Live Phish download site, Prince's NPG Music Club and Digital Static's Music & Multimedia DVD 2004.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges from the music, gaming and film/TV industries. Awards will be distributed Nov. 5 at a reception in Los Angeles that will serve as the finale of the Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference.

Would you think of a lovely woman to pay tribute to a band wordly acclaimed as sexist, sounding raw and which members are universally seen as heartless playboys (altough they maintain it's "merely coincidental")? You might not believe it, but such a brave character is for real on this earth, and we couldn't be more happy about that. We're talking about Wendy Ellison Mullen, ladies and gentlemen, who will be remembered by old readers of this blog for the reviews on Ronnie Wood related events which took place in California last august. And it's indeed in front of the Woodpecker that Wem, respected guitarist and singer (normally commited to her outfit Late Summer Purple), takes a bow. It happens in form of a cd, released these days, under the title Ode To Ronnie Wood. Postmaster delivered it today, and a first listen revealed that this is a serious thing. Eleven tracks: ten from Stones and Ronnie solo discographies (my heart increased at sudden its rate on a shaky version of Dance Pt. 1), and a bonus written by Wem, (Ronnie) Play For Me. Believe me, I've heard many tributes lately, but the better one just provided a proper rhythm to shave at in the morning. This is not the case of Ode To Ronnie Wood, which will have you standing on your chair and shaking your hips on numbers like It's Only Rock'n'Roll, or dreaming eyes shut on soft whispers as Breathe On Me. The clue is all in Wem voice. If she had to be auditioned for a rock record, probably, judging by today standards, she would be left unemployed, but her strenght point is really in that opera voice, and I don't care about what modern talent-scout could think. Anyways, a full review will follow in the very next days (hey people, I want to be serious when I talk about records, so I can't do it with not mcuh more than an intro-scan listen). However, to understand what I'm talking about, please set your sails to this website (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wem4" title="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wem4" target="_blank"http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wem4...) where you'll have the opportunity not only to buy the cd, but also to sample tracks from Wendy's tribute. Also, don't forget to visit Wem site on Ronnie, because her life run on six strings, but she's not a blind childish fan. With more persons like her, devoted to an artist, but serious enough to study and trying to decrypt meaning and structure of his music, the world would turn into a better place. If you won't agree on this, for sure you'll have to acknowledge that her work is a faithful evidence of the fact that bashing Ronnie is easy, but forgetting how good are some pages of his discography is even easier. Sample the songs, enjoy and comment. Waiting to read you. Ciao, Chris

Borrowing a Roger Waters title is the minimum I could do to introduce news that follows. Don't take me wrong, I'm deeply convinced that too many hours in front of a little screen can kill your brain and delete your conscience worst than the hardest drug around, but sometime tv can provide a breathe of fresh air. One of those rare occasions will happen saturday 23rd october, at 9:10 pm (UK time). BBC1 will broadcast a one hour version of the concert given by Rod Stewart at Royal Albert Hall on 13th october. During the performance, "The Mod" plays many of his enduring classics such as Sailing, Maggie May, Tonight's the Night and Reason to Believe. For the first time, this multi-award winning superstar will also be accompanied by the BBC Concert orchestra for some of his most popular versions of the great swing standards. Dame Edna and many other special guests, like Stone and former Faces mate Ronnie Wood, join Rod for this exclusive evening. Are you able to get, through aerial or satellite dish, BBC1? That's not to be missed. Further detail on the Beeb website, following this http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/listings/progra mme.shtml?day=saturday&" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/listings/progra mme.shtml?day=saturday&" target="_blank"http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/l...;service_id=4223&file name=20041023/20041023_21 10_4223_42058_60. Buona visione, Chris

Everyone started to shout news of a Mick/L'Wren affair when fans begun to notice that unknown girl in the VIP stand of some european Licks dates. Eye guarded by security, almost unreachable by people in the bunch, the long talled goddess stood in the doorway, and the world soon understood she was the one who would have had Sir Mick lower his ceiling.

This is the outing of a love story still lasting nowadays, and it happened in late 2003, but what about the beginning? An UK tabloid surprised the happy couple something like a year before, during a romantic escapade on a sunny island. However, evidence of this is easily on our shelves since quite two years, without too many having noticed it.

Yours truly, last sunday, attended Milan record fair. An entry on this will soon follow, because it allowed many interesting picks. However, let me tell you this. I was checking a cardboard box of brazilian issues. At sudden, a copy of Goddess In The Doorway turns up. I told to myself "examine it very properly, because you've always seen the european pressing and a carioca one would be a true novelty".

So, I ended reading the little lines on the back cover, looking for country info. The record was the common one (always more convinced it hasn't been issued elsewhere in the world on vinyl), but I had the chance to give a better look to the album credits (thing that was almost impossible in 2002, when the album got out, busy as I was to follow the flow of promos and singles from it). So, after a couple lines bringing historical Mick camp names, I got to the Creative Director... L'Wren Scott!

That's when it all started supposedly, during the album sessions (see Being Mick for a rather precise timetable). That's the Goddess. Once artists had their muse, now they have a Creative Director. Smart move! Dear Mick, you'll never end amazing me, and neither surprises me this today's batch of data about Old Habits Die Hard, the new Alfie soundtrack tune, which is about to be released as a single in Europe. Let's see:

While the Airplay to date on US for the new Mick single is very small (500 spins on three weeks) on UK the song is doing very well and this week debuted #36 on the UK Top 100 Airplay, the 2nd best entry of the week. For the record Don't Stop peaked at #33 on the UK Airplay chart (#36 on sales) and Sympathy For The Devil #28 (#14 on sales). The song is being played on Radio 2 and is currently on the A list there as one of the Top 20 songs. The single will be eleased there next Monday (Oct. 25) and based on the Airplay is expected to be a very solid Top 40 single, the first for Mick there since Sweet Thing.

I think I couldn't ask for a better lesson to everyone bashing Alfie for its pop nature. Folks, believe me, we should be treated many more records like this one. Pop isn't evil, it's what music industry lacks more today (I mean, a quality interpretation of it), and I well know everyone dreams about Mick releasing a blues album, but until he'll be so good at providing fine tracks like Old Habits Die Hard, Brand New Set Of Rules or - from Wandering Spirit (his best one, so far) - Sweet Thing, why we should want to change his mind? I know I already said that, and hate to repeat myself, but I'll clear it again: the first one who'll complain about this stuff sounding not "Stones-like" will gain the right to a kick in the balls (at least, an ideal one!). It can't sound "Stones-like", because the cover is already telling you it's a Mick Jagger record. To fulfil your deed get Aftermath, if you're an Oldham era fan, or Some Girls, if you love the dance days.

To end this, here's the tracklist for the upcoming Alfie single: 1. Old Habits Die Hard / 2. New York Hustle / 3. Old Habits Die Hard [LA Acoustic Version] / 4. Exclusive Abbey Road Footage Of Mick And Dave Recording 'Old Habits Die Hard'. Hope that collectors will be able to secure a copy soon, if not already too busy in chasing the forthcoming Live Licks sampler (the first one surfaced yesterday on Ebay - item number: 4044893041). Hope also that charts ranking will reward this effort as it deserves (and believe me I'll check the credits as long as a copy will appear on my desk!). In pop we trust! Ciao, Chris

Post-London assignments have been the reason of some silence this week. I archived the records I brought home, I wrote my Bill's gig review for Jam (and for Stones Planet, of course!), and I started to transcribe the Storm Thorgerson interview (folks, the strongest personality I've met so far!) I did on the evening of day 2.

Anyways, don't worry, I stood in the shadows, but not lazy hands. Web scanning remains my morning priority. So, here's a miscellaneous of info about what happened in the last days in Stonesville.

After guesting for Bill, Ronnie did it again with Rod. Royal Albert Hall was packed as never before, last wed, for the duo which makes a sparkle of proudness fly in every Londoneer. I won't take this too long, and who's hungry for pics, can get some satisfaction thanks to this http://www.novogate.com/board/968/203770-1.html" title="http://www.novogate.com/board/968/203770-1.html" target="_blank"http://www.novogate.com/board.... The guys, as it happened in their Hollywood show, performed together a set mainly done of ballads. I wonder if it wouldn't be more interesting, for them, to dare further, and throw some Faces serious stuff to attendees. Five guys doesn't walk anymore into a bar, but this couple sure would be still able to call a pint, so why not!

On another hand, Sir Mick found again London's night, in order to attend the premiere of Alfie. More than a soundtrack, the album providing music for the film, looks like a solo record from him, since some thirteen numbers on the cd are signed Jagger. Partner in crime for his Mickness on this journey has been Eurythmics' worst half, Dave Stewart. Italian fm is already rocking with the single Old Habits Die Hard, and others bit of the soundtrack didn't sound bad at all to my ears. It's pop, but don't dare to complain. If Mick had not taken the pop path in the mid-sixties, today we wouldn't have any Stones to worship. Over and out. Pics of a very sharp Jagger at the premiere are here (http://www.novogate.com/board/968/203768-1.html" title="http://www.novogate.com/board/968/203768-1.html" target="_blank"http://www.novogate.com/board...), and the official site for the movie, starring Judie Law, can be reached following this http://www.alfiemovie.com/" title="http://www.alfiemovie.com/" target="_blank"http://www.alfiemovie.com/.

As for Charlie, after getting satisfaction at Royal Festival Hall, when he proved everyone his good shape, it has to be reported he hit the press (especially UK tabloids) with news about his supposed hard times with Shirley, the woman he married some forty years ago. This concerned very much fans, and generated lines like "I won't believe it until it'll be official" or "You can't live on that crap". Altough Bill Wyman writes on his online diary for 10th october 2004: "At 5:45pm Suzanne Wyman called to say that Charlie Watts's marriage split with Shirley Watts was in the newspapers today" - which means to me he was already aware of the news (and so some truth should be in rumors!) - I said many times artists are human beings like us, and I'll repeat it once again. So, I'm convinced f ans should not put their nose in very personal things like marriage, or so on. Would you enjoy someone discussing your ménage at the corner's pub? No? Ok, so don't do what you wouldn't done to you (italian popular wisedom)!

I couldn't end this entry without recalling that Abkco Records and Rollingstones.com (which lately hosted some of my pics and stories, something I'll be always grateful to them!) presented some neat fans with an enjoyable Rock'n'Roll Circus pre-screening reception, held in New York City. Take a peek of this exciting wrap-up  here (http://www.rollingstones.com/news/articlesdtl.php?newsID=221" title="http://www.rollingstones.com/news/articlesdtl.php?newsID=221" target="_blank"http://www.rollingstones.com/...) and stay tuned on Stones official site in the future. Projects are many, and they're fan oriented, believe it. Question some of the guys who were there on monday night, and you'll get a taste of the good time they've had. Being a Stones fan doesn't means only to held that obscure record, but also to embrace life defining moments and to meet new people (which is bread for our brains). Memento, homo, as latins would have said. Gotta go on with Thorgerson transcription, now. Ciao, Chris.

Altough London record shops, when summer comes to an end, looks like they've been burglarized by masses of abroad collectors, there are always places worth a visit!

It obviously depends on how much time you've available, but some shops are really easy to reach. In the whereabouts of the city centre, you've the various Music and Video Exchange at Notting Hill Gate. Interesting picks for a few pounds. An example? One of my hottest founds of the day comes from there: a never seen Greek issue of Emotional Rescue (with red tongue on a-side label, and white on b!). Price? 7 £ Ladies and Gents. Who would have dared to leave it on the shelve?

Then, if you can invest a little more in time terms, Stand Out and Minus Zero, off Portobello Road, are worth the visit also under a cultural point of view. Bill Forsyth engaged yours truly in a lovely conversation about how the Internet (read Ebay) is killing record shops. I got also a nice indian It's Only Rock'n'Roll, a korean official compilation (on Delia records) and an unbelievable 2£ Bill Wyman promo 7" for (Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star. A stunning stereo issue of Aftermath had to remain there. 100£ were a big bargain, but when you've got family and a standard work, you can start to ask yourself if you're doing the right thing by spending such an amount!

Less useful on this travel, but always to be checked are JB's and (sorry I forgot the name, but everyone will understand) in Hanaway Street, off Oxford Street. The latter had a fine demo 7" of Peppi (an Andrew Oldham product). The same goes for SelectAdisc, Sister Ray and MVE in Soho. Haven't found nothing remarkable there, but if only I didn't already have it, a copy of the Aranbee Pop Orchestra reissue was there, and on sale for a mere 1.90£! Furthermore, Reckless records brought the only Let It Bleed including poster I've seen in these two days: sadly enough it was the stereo boxed label one, which is part of my collection since a long time and for which I think that 34£ are too much!

Are you on new releases? Forget about Virgin. Their megastore in front of Tottenham Court Road tube station is the more useless place I've ever seen! Aim to HMV (just in front of Bond Street station): it's the only corner where I found the new "Before They Make Me Run" book on Keith, as the new Rhythm Kings cd single (including an unreleased track).

Should I have had more time, for sure I'd have jumped on a train, and went to East Croydon. Beano's is the place to be, always. You never know what could be waiting for you on their shelves. Never feel relaxed, in London, when you're hunting for Stones records: it's where the band started, it's where everything could exist! Time to pack things and fly back home! Ciao, Chris 

Random, but essential, notes from yesterday night.

Charlie was in the audience. Looked brilliant, in a dark suit making a wonderful brightness with his white hair, and got a warm applause when he walked in. He seated in the front stalls and attended the full first set, at the end of which he walked backstage (signing autographs and being clever, as always, with fans, some of whom questioned him on his health condition and got answered nicely he feels fine) and didn't showed up for the second. He wasn't backstage for the aftershow, so he probably left after the interval. Wonderful to see him so brilliant, though.

Ronnie, got introduced on stage by Bill halfaway the first set. Jeans, yellow sweater and white boots, he moved in with his usual "Popeye" gesture, and then stood close to Bill, joking with him about his bass supposedly missing a piece (on the top of the bars) if compared to their guitars. Lots of nankers all the way from him, a true jester. He did a couple numbers dueting fine with Albert Lee (on "You never can tell" Bill sung!... and Ronnie constantly pointed him with his finger), and then Mr. Eddie Floyd got in too and really warmed the audience, thanks to Blues Brothers tunes like "Knock on Wood" (and Ronnie feared and laughed once again!). The same happened on the second set, with all the audience leaving the front stalls and gathering under the stage to dance at the Rhythm Kings sound. The encore, a rambling "Tear It Up" built on Ronnie, Albert and Martin Taylor guitars really lit up the audience. Everyone was eager for more, but Bill remembered everyone a curefew was set!

Bill himself did not look as someone ready (or willing) to quit, even if today's Evening Standard complains that a half an hour stop between two one hour sets is too much (and probably due to Mr. Wyman's age). Yeah, someone of you will complain he's wooden stuck under the spotlight, but be reassured his fingers do their job properly and I don't care about the rest. He probably already was this way when he auditioned for the Stones in 1963. Yours truly is personally sorry if an end will come for this marvellous outfit. As of this tour, they play better than ever. I'm convinced they're better with Chris Stantion than wth Georgie Fame. The ones I would always see onstage: Mike Sanchez, Frank Mead, Nick Payn, Beverly Skeete.

In a word, no Keith (even if I think that the fact Bill and him spoke on the phone has to be taken as an interesting evidence), but a very interesting night, with magnetic vibes (since I was close, I often turned to watch Charlie's glance, which has something magnetic inside) and lots of good music!

That's it for the recollection, more later. Ciao, Chris

Don't ask me why, but drummers from my favourite bands are all nice and polite people. It applies to Mr. Watts, whom I had the chance to meet in the past, and today I learnt that it applies too to Mr. Mason, who I first met minutes ago.

Kind and clever, he sat behind a little table, with fans queing in front of (there wasn't so much people, I'd say no more than 50 when I left). He was supposed to sign only his book (which, by the way, is simply stunning), but did some exceptions (a nice bloke in front of me got auto'd on the front cover of the Shine On box, and on a rare 1974 Floyd gig programme). Then, after signing, he shook my hand, and I just said "Thanks".

I think this simple word expressed better than anything else my feelings to the band which disclosed my eyes on music. Every other sentence would have sounded useless or misplaced. As we say in Italy, you've better keep your mouth shut and be taken as a stupid, than talking and eliminating any doubt about it!

Will be there time for a Floyd reunion? I don't know, but today it has been proven that a band, remembering memories of a London which doesn't exists anymore, is able to light hearts also after ten years of inactivity. It's not something for everyone!

Grazie Nick and thans, Chris

Despite Milan radar, engaging himself deeply to trouble flights over northern Italy, I'm now in London. Bill awarded me many satisfactions in the past, and it would be stupid to not give him a chance tonight, at the Royal Festival Hall, seen his online diary.

So far, I arrived, settled and threw myself in the tube. Destination: Piccadilly Circus, where in a couple hours drummer Nick Mason will sign copies of his new auto-bio on Pink Floyd, "Inside Out".

Then, Bill time. So far, my bag got fat with Record Collector, Mojo special Stones and Q special Floyd. The signing looks promising. No line as of now. More later, gotta rush in now. Roger Waters and David Gilmour have been my first music dream and I can't forget about this now!

Expect updates soon on Bill. Ciao, Chris

To have a blog is great fun, and allows you to get in touch with nice and genuine people, like the ones who kindly commented some entries in these pages. The basic rule, however, is to constantly read others diaries, belonging to your same interest field. First, they are always a good information source (you can't know everything on your own), and then they are able to provide inspiration.

That's why, I always loved to take a peek into Bill Wyman's online diaries (in his official site, following the link on the left). My interest in his writings knew an even higher rate after he called it quits (see the previous entry). So, you can guess my surprise when, on his 30th september notes, I read what follows:

"At 12 noon I called Ronnie Wood & invited him to join us for the gig at the Festival Hall (07-Oct-2004) which he sounded enthusiastic about."

You thrilled? You tempted to call it an out of the blue surprise? Wait, because Bill days are plenty of. This is how he goes on a few lines later:

"Just before 1:00pm Charlie Watts arrived, & we left & walked to Worlds End in Chelsea, & had a very nice lunch at the Frantoio Italian Restaurant. We chatted about his situation & various other things. We left there & dropped into the second-hand bookshop, where we spent about 30 minutes, & came out with about 4 books each. We walked back to the house, & Charlie stayed talking about many things. He spoke tentatively about joining us for a few numbers at the Festival Hall gig next Thursday, but wasn't definite about it".

Experience taught yours truly to always handle Stones really carefully, and ready was I to act once again like that, but this is what ended Mr. Wyman's day:

"At 7:00pm Ronnie Wood called & chatted again about the Festival Hall gig, & we discussed the vague possibility of Keith Richards also participating on the night, as he is here in England for a week or so".

I'm sure every documented Stones fan will remember clearly the coffin line, back from 1993, when Keith threatened Bill about his deed to leave the band. This would lead every good sensed person to tell "these two together nowadays? Neither if I see it happening...". Well, don't panic, but this is what Wyman himself wrote on 1st October diaries:

"Sherry called back at 5:30pm & gave me Keith Richards's phone number. At 6:00pm I called Keith Richards at Redlands & chatted. He said he'd get in touch with Ronnie Wood about the Festival Hall gig & check back with me later."

End of the broadcast right now. That "later" still hasn't come so far. Anyways, I'd say that, with many eyes on you (especially after you said you're about to retire), if you're a former Stone and know how music industry and media works, you wouldn't put on your site something which is just a promise. So, to use a military jarg on, this looks much more than an exercise. Stay tuned for updates, maybe even from Big Ben's land. Ciao, Chris

The news on the UK Tour is, that it is the last; the Rhythm King's farewell tour. - As many of you know I have a young family. The 3 or 4 months of touring each year, as well as the time it takes to record the albums, makes me feel I am missing out on so much of their growing up. While I love playing live, it is a huge call on my time, which means I cannot devote myself to all the other many projects that I have.

Looking after my family's future, both emotional and financial, is the most important thing to me. I will still consider playing some one off dates, as they come up, for special events. It's been great, and I want to end it on a high. Thanks to everyone who has supported us and continues to do so, you are amongst the best fans any band could have.

The above news, signed by Bill Wyman, left yours truly with mixed emotions. As a father, I can only respect and even salute such a brave step (it's not easy to change pace after thirty years). As a fan (and egoist as all fans in the world are!), I can only hope Mr. Perks fell ill of the Cher virus (I think she's at her 9th farewell tour, or something like that...). As a writer, these are words I always hoped to never have to relay.

As a first reaction, I went to my stereo set, slided "Handsome Girls" (a selection of tracks from 1978 US Stones tour, in which they sounded as raw as the Sex Pistols) in the player and blew the speakers with "Jumpin' Jack Flash". If all bootlegs have a weak point, this one - being a sounboard recording - has its in the extremely clear separation between instruments. This, allows you to get every single second of an outstanding guitars interaction, but also the pumping and vibrating bass, pulling you right in the eye of the crossfire hurricane.

Folks, from anywhere you look at it, altough Bill writes he'll consider special events, this is a loss. Not only a Rolling Stones founding member decided to nail his bass to the wall, but Rhythm Kings awarded us with a pure and intimate glance to the roots. That's where the Stones started from. That's where it all started from. That's where, I'll add, not too many artists get back lately, because to do that succesfully you need to be very fit (and who attended a RK gig well knows they are). So, Bill's decision has to be respected, but I'm sure that - apart a couple loosers who welcomed this choice on some message boards - we'll all feel (musically) more alone, and the world (at least the entertainment domain) will loose another happyiness source. Ciao, Chris

Lately I announced some information on the upcoming Live Licks, taken from the french fanclub website. The temperature is rising and data are now becoming gradually official. Here's a full press launch on the release that will help the Stones to be crowned Xmas sales champions! Enjoy, Chris

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Press Release Source: Virgin Records


The Rolling Stones: Live Licks Out November 2nd
Friday October 1, 12:11 pm ET
Double CD Includes Guest Appearances By Sheryl Crow, Solomon Burke


NEW YORK, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rolling Stones are documenting their hugely successful 2002-2003 world tour with the Virgin Records release of Live Licks, a two-CD set featuring guest appearances by Sheryl Crow and soul legend Solomon Burke, as well as 11 tracks never before released on a Stones live disc.
The 2002-2003 tour celebrated both the band's 40th anniversary and the release of 40 Licks, the first Stones greatest-hits collection to span the group's entire career. Like the tour, Live Licks finds the band in a celebratory mood, delivering both the many hits in its deep, illustrious catalogue, as well as lesser-known cuts and covers.

Finding Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ron Wood as charismatic, intimate and commanding as ever, Live Licks is divided in halves: Disc one is a collection of such anthemic, universally loved songs as "Honky Tonk Women" (featuring Sheryl Crow), "Paint It Black," "Brown Sugar," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," "Angie," "Start Me Up" and "Gimme Shelter."

Disc two includes a collection of such lesser-known gems as "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," "Rocks Off," "When The Whip Comes Down" and "Worried About You." This disc also includes Keith Richards' rendition of the Hoagy Carmichael classic "The Nearness of You," as well as Stones versions of "Rock Me, Baby" and "That's How Strong My Love Is," songs not written by but associated with B.B. King and Otis Redding, respectively. Disc two ends with Solomon Burke joining the band for a version of his own "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love."

Playing to more than 2 million people worldwide, the Stones' 2002-2003 tour visited everything from theaters to stadiums, sometimes in the same city (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.).

Seeing the band visit Eastern Europe and the Far East for the first time, the 40 Licks tour garnered rave reviews wherever it touched down, and found the band's live chops to be untouched by four decades: "The Stones sang and played like the world champion rockers they became decades ago, but with an in-the-moment passion of a band that still had something to prove," noted Randy Lewis in The Los Angeles Times. "They are still the greatest rock n roll band in the world," raved Nigel Williamson of the U.K.'s Uncut.

Rolling Stones- Live Licks (2 cd set) in-stores 11/2

DISC 1:

1. Brown Sugar
2. Street Fighting Man
3. Paint It, Black
4. You Can't Always Get What You Want
5. Start Me Up
6. It's Only Rock n' Roll
7. Angie
8. Honky Tonk Women (featuring Sheryl Crow)
9. Happy
10. Gimme Shelter
11. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

DISC 2:

1. Neighbours
2. Monkey Man
3. Rocks Off
4. Can't You Hear Me Knocking
5. That's How Strong My Love Is
6. The Nearness Of You
7. Beast Of Burden
8. When The Whip Comes Down
9. Rock Me, Baby
10. You Don't Have To Mean It
11. Worried About You
12. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love


Note:

None of the tracks on Disc 2 have been available on any previous Rolling Stones live CDs

I wanted to keep this header à la Outlook, because it's exactely an e-mail that brought me (and others friends) the message you'll read below. Basically, it's about Phil Spector, mighty "Wall of Sound" creator, giving his toll of the bell on the murder charge against him. I know I'm steering away from Stones strict actuality, but if you love the lads, you can't do as of nothing concerning Mr. Spector. Andrew Loog Oldham's production style, in fact, was deeply inspired by Phil's way to build music and, through the Oldham Orchestra works, he paid an outstanding tribute to him. Furthermore, living in the area where one of Italy's most debated murders took place two years ago, I convinced myself even more that people potentially concerned have the right to speak their truth, and to seek for a proper defense in every way. Obviously, they're responsible for what they speak, but this is a game called democracy, and I'm a firm supporter of the fact the match should last as long as possible. So, word on to Phil Spector now. Ciao everybody, Chris

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Although  the words I  spoke outside the court steps monday morning, yesterday, 9/27/04, were  basically, spontaneous, and impromptu, they were taped, and transcribed, and someone sent them to me. I offer them to you, (in their entirety,) as parts of them were used in various forms of the media. This appears to be what I said in its entirety.

The actions of the Hitler like District Attorney, Steve Cooley, and his Stormtrooping henchmen, to seek an Indictment against me, and censor all means of getting my evidence and the truth out, are reprehensible, unconscionable, and despicable. They have conspired to deny me my California Constitutional right to a Preliminary Hearing. Even though I pay my City, and State, taxes here, Property taxes here, Vote here, and Reside here; and have done so for the last some fifty odd years. It should also be noted that the state of Colorado granted a Preliminary Hearing to Kobe Bryant, who is not a citizen of that State, does not live there, does not vote there, and does not pay taxes there, yet I am denied one in the state I live and do all those things, and  am Constitutionally entitled to one. It should also be duly noted, that Kobe Bryant's preliminary hearing, that he had in Colorado, was, as you all know, the only way he, and his Attorneys, could get his evidence, and the truth out to the public, and the media, which eventually proved his innocence, and resulted in his freedom.  The district attorney of Los Angeles is denying me that right, to one of their own citizens, which the state of Colorado granted Mr. Bryant, a non citizen. Does this district attorney have something to hide and fear? I think so. That being, the inevitable results that the public and a Judge will, after a preliminary hearing is held, see that no crime was committed at my home on february 3rd 2003, and the public will find that out as well, and that this district attorney is pursing a personal vendetta, without evidence. If not, why will he not let me have a preliminary hearing guaranteed me under the California Constitution? Instead he secretly, as fascists would, went to a  secret grand jury, to seek, and get an indictment. Why? Is any one about to flee the jurisdiction? The only one, involved in this case, I know, who is seeking to flee the jurisdiction, is the district attorney himself, who longs to get on an airplane to sacramento to become the attorney general of california. To get an indictment in lieu of a preliminary hearing was done to deny the public and the judge the right to hear the evidence,  and deny me my california constitutional right, and because they are afraid that the truth will come out in such a hearing. And by not having a Preliminary Hearing, It also prevents from testifying, three of the most respected forensic scientists, pathologists and coroners in the world, Dr. Henry Lee, Dr. Michael Baden, and Dr. Cyril Wecht, who have all thoroughly examined and reviewed the autopsy report of the deceased, and concluded, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the deceased's wounds were consistent with that of a self inflicted wound, and that these three eminent coroners would not have ruled it a homicide. Why does the district attorney not want that evidence brought forth to a Judge and to the public? And why does he not want the judge and the public to know that the deceased was legally intoxicated on the drug, vicodan and alcohol at the time she took her own life. And, that her D&A was found on the gun, not mine; and that my fingerprints were not on the gun; and that Dr. Henry Lee found no "crime scene" in my home on the morning of february 3rd 2003, and that the gun the deceased used to kill herself was not owned by me, nor registered to me. Ask yourself why, and you'll see why I am not getting a preliminary hearing. I urge a fellow artist, Governor Shwarzenegger, to step in, and grant me my California  Constitutional rights, and stop this miscarriage of justice, and obstruction of justice, and give me back my Preliminary Hearing, so I, and my attorney, mr. Bruce Cutler, can put an end to to this travesty of justice, once and for all, and I can get on with my life.