STICKY FINGERS
RELEASED, APRIL 1971
Back in April 1971 The Rolling Stones released their ninth studio album Sticky Fingers on the new label Rolling Stones Records. With Sticky Fingers hitting number 1 in the UK and across the pond in America, it is undoubtedly a classic. This album was the first to feature a full length appearance of guitarist Mick Taylor and also the first not to contain any of the work of Brian Jones.
Covered in narcotics references, Sticky Fingers’, main subject, but it also covers, a wide range of emotions, including intolerable sexual frustrations, loss and love, make Sticky Fingers an incredibly heart warming and poignant piece of gold. Stuck right in between the changing sounds of the 60’s and 70’s, Sticky Fingers makes a statement. The sound of the album has everything we know and love about the Stones, from the classic rock and roll hit ‘Brown Sugar’ to the moving and sombre ‘Wild Horses’ to ‘You Gotta Move’, a real raw gospel American blues roots tune with lots of slide guitar and moaning backing vocals, giving a very haunting and beautiful sound at the same time.
Sticky Fingers is arguably the greatest song-writing by Mick and Keith even surpassing ‘Exile On Main St’. A band at the pinnacle, which is easily proven as they released, ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’, ‘Beggars Banquet’, ‘Let It Bleed’, ‘Sticky Fingers’, ‘Exile On Main St’ and ‘Goats Head Soup’ all in the space of six short years. The fact that this album can even stand out between all of these classics is an achievement in itself, but the words and musicianship of Mick and Keith, is something very special indeed, gentle guitars and softly whispered lyrics, create an atmosphere that pulls you in the world of The Stones and you’ll never want to leave.
Album ender ‘Moonlight Mile’ is a delicate and soothing six minute track about the delusions of the rock and roll lifestyle and the desperate loss it brings. Sticky Fingers is a must have for any music fan, a great album, beautiful wrote and put together. A wonderful glimpse into The Rolling Stones psyche.
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