REVIEW: The Rolling Stones Goats Head Soup 2020

Released back in 1973 Goats Head Soup might be considered by some as The Rolling Stones waving goodbye to their golden period and settling down into stadium rock comfort, Fast forward to this 2020 release and the album settles into a blues groove from the get-go. Dancing With Mr B sound like the distant cousin to 1000 Miles From Home, 100 Years Ago features some sumptuous Rhodes keyboards before a delicious Stones groove takes hold of the tune. Coming Down again is another slow ballad in a similar vein to Bring It On Down featuring swathes of waa waa gutar. Angie, the single lifted from the album is Micks abode it his ex Wife, the heart felt lyrics shows Jagger to be a lover man.

Further delights on the album including Winter Revised with shimmering guitar licks, You Can Hear The Music with a massive organ sound and the Honky Tonk of the closing track Star Star, sounding slightly like Saturdays Alright For Fighting, but with a rock and roll burst. Of the bonus tracks Scarlett is an obvious highlight. Maybe something what might’ve been with jimmy Page featuring on guitar, the track is a rip-roaring rock, pop, blues rip up, a real dynamite track deserving of its spotlight as the lead track on disc 2.

Further treats include All The Rage which is a descending guitar riff heaven sent goodie, another first class delve into the treasure troves of the Stone back catalogue. Criss Cross has a Start Me Up type riff kicking things off before Jagger sings ‘baby’ only as he could, feast your ears on these 3 true highlights from the set. The rest of the tracks on disc 2 feature alternate mixes and instrumental versions of the album tracks.

Finally, the last treat on the deluxe set is a live gig The Brussels Affair, recorded live at the Forest National Arena in October 1973. The band were at the height of their powers with the band at the time consisting Jagger, Richards, Watts, Wyman and Mick Taylor plus equipped with a horn section and keyboards, in the ranks were Billy Preston, Bobby Keys in this stellar of line ups. The band treat the audience to a hits n all set kicking off with an upbeat Brown Sugar, before easing back into Gimme Shelter. Highights include You Cant Always Get You Want with Richards and a solo trumpet leading the way before Jagger gets greeted by a roar from the audience when he starts signing.

Midnight Rambler is a hot bed of harmonica and blues riffs, as is Rip This Joint with Taylors guitar a feature, which leads nicely into a fast-paced Jumping Jack Flash and the set closer Street Fighting Man. A somewhat breathless set but nonetheless entertaining as you would expect from these all time great showmen of the stage. The complete 3 CD set is a treat for the ears as well the heart. A lip-smacking delight.

Goats Head Soup 2020 can be purchased via the following link