Showing posts with label 2025. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2025. Show all posts

Thursday, September 25, 2025

The Rolling Stones announce reissue of classic 1976 album, "Black and Blue"

The Rolling Stones have announced the reissue of the classic 1976 album "Black and Blue" including a new 2025 mix. Below is the official media release and artwork of the forthcoming title coming Nov. 14, 2025...Robert Kinsler


"BLACK AND BLUE"

 

SUPER DELUXE BOX SET OUT NOVEMBER 14, 2025

 

FEATURING NEW 2025 MIX, UNRELEASED STUDIO SESSIONS, LIVE CONCERTS + RARE FOOTAGE


September 24, 2025 - Nearly five decades after its original release, The Rolling Stones are set to celebrate their groundbreaking 1976 album Black and Blue with a definitive Super Deluxe Box Set, arriving globally on November 14, 2025 from Interscope/UMe. Originally released in April, 1976 Black and Blue marked a bold new chapter for the band and now returns in a stunning, remixed and expanded package across multiple formats.


Available as a 5LP vinyl box set and a 4CD box set, both editions include a Blu-ray disc, a hundred-page hardback book, and a replica tour poster. A limited edition 5LP version on exclusive black and blue marbled vinyl will also be available via select online retailers, alongside streamlined 2-disc and 1-disc formats on both vinyl and CD. Additionally, a limited edition 1LP zoetrope vinyl will also be released. Now available to pre order here.


Black and Blue is the Stones’ 13th studio album, the first following the departure of former guitarist Mick Taylor who was eventually replaced by Ronnie Wood. The recording sessions famously served as auditions with guitar greats Harvey MandelWayne PerkinsJeff Beck, and Robert A. Johnson all contributing. Ultimately, free from commitments to The Faces, it was Ronnie Wood who joined Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts & Bill Wyman as a bona fide Rolling Stone appearing on three tracks. Soon after Ronnie officially signed up for the band’s U.S. tour, starting his continuing tenure with the group across five decades with multiple live and studio albums and dozens of Stones groundbreaking world tours. In a brand-new interview included in the new box set, Ronnie reflects on joining the band in 1976 with these words - "Right then, this is where I’m meant to be."


Musically, Black and Blue showcased The Rolling Stones’ adventurous spirit by infusing reggae, funk, and soul into their signature rock sound. The swaggering “Hot Stuff,” the driving “Hand of Fate,” the poignant ballad hit single “Fool to Cry,” fan favorite “Memory Motel” plus “Melody” featuring the talents of Billy Preston a heavy contributor to the whole album. Black and Blue was the second to be self-produced, credited to "The Glimmer Twins" a pseudonym used by Jagger and Richards for their roles as producers. On release it went to No. 1 on the USA album chart and stayed there for four consecutive weeks gaining immediate platinum status while in the UK Black and Blue went to No. 2 in May 1976.


The Black and Blue 2025 reissue includes a six-track disc of previously unreleased recordings, including the Jagger/Richards composition “I Love Ladies,” plus a high-energy take on Shirley & Company’s “Shame, Shame, Shame” which is available to listen to now hereAlso included are four amazing Stones instrumental jams from the 1975 sessions featuring the guest guitarists.


To accompany the reissue, a new music video for “Shame, Shame, Shame” will premiere on September 25th, available to watch hereDirected by acclaimed Dutch filmmaker Camille Boumans, the video is a collage of Stones history and attitude, blending rare archival photography with hand-drawn animation and modern flair. Known for her award-winning work with global brands and her distinctive blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics, Boumans brings a fresh energy to the Stones’ legacy.


In addition and a must for Stones fans is a full live concert recording from the bands celebrated six night residency at London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre, where they were joined onstage by Ian StewartBilly Preston, and Ollie Brown - all of whom had contributed to the studio album.


The accompanying Blu-ray disc offers a previously unreleased TV broadcast of the Stones’ 1976 show at Les Abattoirs in Paris, plus Dolby Atmos surround sound mixes of both the studio album and the live Earls Court concert. All audio content is also available in high-resolution stereo. Rounding out the Super Deluxe Box Set is a 100-page hardback book featuring a brand new essay by recognized Stones expert Paul Sexton, exclusive photographs from the album sessions and tour, and a replica poster from the 1976 Paris concert.

 

Release Formats Include:

  • 5LP Super Deluxe Box Set
  • 4CD Super Deluxe Box Set
  • Limited Edition 5LP Marbled Vinyl Super Deluxe Box Set
  • 2LP / 2CD (Album + Outtakes & Jams)
  • 1LP / 1CD (2025 Steven Wilson Mix)
  • 1LP Zoetrope Vinyl 

 

FULL TRACK LISTING + CREDITS BELOW:

 

TRACKLISTING

 

1CD – STEVEN WILSON REMIX 2025

 

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel
  5. Hey Negrita
  6. Melody
  7. Fool To Cry
  8. Crazy Mama

 

1LP – STEVEN WILSON REMIX 2025

 

Side A

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel

Side B

  1. Hey Negrita
  2. Melody
  3. Fool To Cry
  4. Crazy Mama 

 

2CD

 

Disc 1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel
  5. Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
  6. Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
  7. Fool To Cry
  8. Crazy Mama

 

Disc 2: Outtakes and Jams

  1. I Love Ladies
  2. Shame, Shame, Shame
  3. Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)
  4. Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
  5. Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
  6. Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)

 

2LP

 

Disc 1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025

Side A

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel

Side B

  1. Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
  2. Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
  3. Fool To Cry
  4. Crazy Mama

 

Disc 2: Outtakes and Jams

Side A

  1. I Love Ladies
  2. Shame, Shame, Shame
  3. Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)

Side B

  1. Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
  2. Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
  3. Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)

 

SUPER DELUXE 4CD + BLU RAY

 

Disc 1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel
  5. Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
  6. Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
  7. Fool To Cry
  8. Crazy Mama

 

Disc 2: Outtakes and Jams

  1. I Love Ladies
  2. Shame, Shame, Shame
  3. Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)
  4. Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
  5. Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
  6. Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)

 

Disc 3: Live at Earls Court 1976

1.    Honky Tonk Women

2.    If You Can’t Rock Me/Get Off My Cloud

3.    Hand Of Fate

4.    Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)

5.    Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

6.    Fool To Cry

7.    Hot Stuff

8.    Star Star (Starfucker) 

9.    You Gotta Move

10. You Can’t Always Get What You Want

11. Band Intro

12. Happy

13. Tumbling Dice

14. Nothing From Nothing 

15. Outa-Space

 

Disc 4: Live at Earls Court 1976

  1. Midnight Rambler
  2. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
  3. Brown Sugar
  4. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
  5. Street Fighting Man
  6. Sympathy For The Devil

 

Blu-Ray Disc


1. Black and Blue (Steven Wilson Remix 2025)


2. Les Rolling Stones Aux Abattoirs, Paris-Juin 1976 

·      Band Intro

·      Honky Tonk Women

·      Hand of Fate

·      Fool To Cry

·      Hot Stuff

·      Star Star

·      You Gotta Move

·      You Can’t Always Get What You Want

·      Band Introductions

·      Happy

·      Outa Space

·      Jumpin’ Jack Flash

·      Street Fighting Man


3. Live at Earls Court Live 1976 

·      Band Intro

·      Honky Tonk Women

·      If You Can’t Rock Me/Get Off My Cloud

·      Hand Of Fate

·      Hey Negrita

·      Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

·      Fool To Cry

·      Hot Stuff

·      Star Star (Starfucker)

·      You Gotta Move

·      You Can’t Always Get What You Want

·      Happy

·      Tumbling Dice

·      Nothing From Nothing

·      Outa-Space

·      Midnight Rambler

·      It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)

·      Brown Sugar

·      Jumpin’ Jack Flash

·      Street Fighting Man

·      Sympathy For The Devil

 

SUPER DELUXE 5LP + BLU RAY

 

Disc 1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025

Side A

  1. Hot Stuff
  2. Hand Of Fate
  3. Cherry Oh Baby
  4. Memory Motel

Side B

  1. Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
  2. Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
  3. Fool To Cry
  4. Crazy Mama

 

Disc 2: Outtakes and Jams

Side A

  1. I Love Ladies
  2. Shame, Shame, Shame
  3. Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)

Side B

  1. Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
  2. Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
  3. Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)

 

Disc 3: Live at Earls Court 1976

Side A

  1. Honky Tonk Women
  2. If You Can’t Rock Me/Get Off My Cloud
  3. Hand Of Fate
  4. Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)

Side B

  1. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
  2. Fool To Cry
  3. Hot Stuff
  4. Star Star (Starfucker) 

 

Disc 4: Live at Earls Court 1976

Side A

  1. You Gotta Move
  2. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
  3. Band Intro
  4. Happy

Side B

  1. Tumbling Dice
  2. Nothing from Nothing
  3. Outa-space

 

Disc 5: Live at Earls Court 1976

Side A

  1. Midnight Rambler
  2. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
  3. Brown Sugar

Side B

  1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
  2. Street Fighting Man
  3. Sympathy For The Devil

 

Blu-Ray Disc

 

  1. Black and Blue (Steven Wilson Remix 2025) Hi-res stereo and Atmos Mix

 

2. Les Rolling Stones Aux Abattoirs, Paris-Juin 1976 

·      Band Intro

·      Honky Tonk Women

·      Hand of Fate

·      Fool To Cry

·      Hot Stuff

·      Star Star

·      You Gotta Move

·      You Can’t Always Get What You Want

·      Band Introductions

·      Happy

·      Outa Space

·      Jumpin’ Jack Flash

·      Street Fighting Man

 

3. Live at Earls Court Live 1976 

·      Band Intro

·      Honky Tonk Women

·      If You Can’t Rock Me/Get Off My Cloud

·      Hand Of Fate

·      Hey Negrita

·      Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

·      Fool To Cry

·      Hot Stuff

·      Star Star (Starfucker)

·      You Gotta Move

·      You Can’t Always Get What You Want

·      Happy

·      Tumbling Dice

·      Nothing From Nothing

·      Outa-Space

·      Midnight Rambler

·      It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)

·      Brown Sugar

·      Jumpin’ Jack Flash

·      Street Fighting Man

·      Sympathy For The Devil

 

 

CREDITS

 

Mick Jagger - Lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 3 – 5), percussion (1), piano (4, 7) electric guitar (8)

Keith Richards - Electric guitar (all tracks except 4), backing vocals (except 6,7), piano (4, 8), bass (8), co-lead vocals (4)

Ronnie Wood - Electric guitar (3,5,8), backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 8)

Bill Wyman - Bass guitar (except 8), percussion (1)

Charlie Watts - Drums, percussion (1)

Billy Preston - Piano (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8), organ (5, 6), percussion (6), backing vocals (1, 4, 5, 6, 8)

Nicky Hopkins - Piano (7), organ (3)

Harvey Mandel - Electric guitar (1, 4)

Wayne Perkins - Electric guitar (2,7), acoustic guitar (4)

Ollie Brown - Percussion (1, 2, 5, 8)

Ian Stewart - Percussion (1)

Arif Mardin - Horn (6)

 

Produced By The Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)

 

# # #

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Pure Imagination Festival 2025 Recap: Cheap Trick, Matisyahu, Arrested Development, The English Beat and more

Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander 
at Pure Imagination Festival.

Pure Imagination Festival 2025

Who: Cheap Trick, Matisyahu, Arrested Development, The English Beat, Kelsey Waldon, Ponderosa Grove, Bird and Byron, more

Where: Watson Lake Park in Prescott, AZ

When: Saturday, May 17, 2025

Information: pureimaginationfestival.com



Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Daryl Weisser


Before catching Cheap Trick's headlining performance at the Pure Imagination Festival in Prescott, AZ on Saturday night, I hadn't caught the beloved Rockford, Illinois-spawned outfit since their appearance at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles back on Sept. 12, 2013 (read my review of that event HERE). Over the subsequent dozen year span, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 2016) and marked the band's 50th anniversary (in 2023). I'm old enough to remember running out when I was in high school to purchase their self-titled debut album on cassette tape in 1977, drawn to the group's sound that somehow blended melodic rock and punk with 1970s hard rock stylings in the service of top-tier songwriting. Between the early 1980s and 2013, I caught the band a number of times at both major concert venues and even at relatively intimate club shows. But until Saturday night I had never seen Cheap Trick at a festival.

Cheap Trick lead guitarist Rick Nielsen 

To say how much I was impressed with Cheap Trick's 90-minute appearance on the Dells Stage at Pure Imagination would be a definite understatement. Singer-guitarist Robin Zander, lead guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Daxx Nielsen (Rick Nielsen's son replaced original drummer Bun E. Carlos in 2010) delivered a master class on how to entertain a festival crowd while showcasing the band's timeless brand of power pop.

Cheap Trick, from left, guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, drummer
Daxx Nielsen and singer-guitarist Robin Zander


Opening with the propulsive rocker "Hello There," the band proceeded to play one favorite after another for the enthusiastic crowd. Early standouts for this listener included the powerful rocker "Big Eyes," soaring anthem "If You Want My Love," fiery punk rock-paced "He's a Whore" and seldom-played "Borderline" (the latter a track off the band's Todd Rundgren-produced 1983 album Next Position Please). 

Bassist Tom Petersson


Concertgoers were later treated to high-octane takes on many of Cheap Trick's best-known songs including a cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't That a Shame," an emotional reading of the power ballad "The Flame" showcasing Zander's high-reaching tenor, freewheeling "Dream Police" and an encore highlighted by a rousing run through "Never Had a Lot to Lose," "Surrender" and "Goodnight." 

Cheap Trick drummer Daxx Nielsen


Cheap Trick's mighty turn capped a full day of diverse performances delivered across three stages. 


The FBR's Tim Hunter, on left, with Malarie McConaha


The day started with a stripped down version of the Nashville, Tennessee band The FBR appearing on the Entry Stage. The husband and wife team of Tim Hunter and Malarie McConaha played a mix of originals and covers; a highlight was an affecting performance of their "Deadman's Highway" from the band's debut album Ghost with the two musicians utilizing strong guitar playing and Hunter's blues harmonica shadings on the song.


From left, CheekTones' Nick Canuel, Drew Hall and Don Cheek performing on the
Entry Stage at the Pure Imagination Festival


Following up on the Entry Stage was Prescott's own CheekTones, featuring lead vocalist-guitarist Don Cheek, lead guitarist-vocalist Drew Hall and bassist-vocalist Nick Canuel playing a mix of Cheek's songs and classic rock favorites. Highlights were a take on the Crosby, Stills & Nash classic "Long Time Gone" as well as Cheek's buoyant "Beside That Train" bolstered by Hall's sharp magic on the fretboard and wonderful vocal harmonies from the trio.


Brothers Will Belcher (lead vocals, guitar) and Kenny Belcher (drums) of The
Hawthorne Experience rocking on the Lakeside Stage in Prescott, AZ


Kicking things off on the Lakeside Stage was the Tucson-based trio Hawthorne Experience. The Will Belcher-fronted threesome has a sound blending reggae, rock and blues. Memorable selections included the psychedelic-tinged original "Disbelief" and artful cover of Sublime's "Slow Ride."


Dutch Holly's Jen Juniper, on left, with Tres Ikner at the festival


I was not familiar with the Arizona-based duo Dutch Holly before I caught them on the Dells Stage on Saturday afternoon, but their dreamy sound built around MIDI programming, hypnotic rhythms, plaintive vocals from singer Jen Juniper and live musical layers from keyboardist-guitarist Tres Ikner was perfectly suited to the beautiful setting.



Pijama Piyama
, pictured above, was a six-member collective that brought their original blend of Cumbias, Salsa, Frank Zappa experimental sonics and Spanish language songcraft to the Lakeside Stage. 





Following that 30-minute set, Los Angeles trio Kids In America, pictured above, brought a melodic modern rock sound to the Dells Stage. The band impressed with the infectious single "Feels Like Heaven" and dance-minded "My Escape."


Singer Blake Bird 

Guitarist Nick Byron


Bird and Byron is a Nashville-based group featuring singer Blake Bird and guitar master Nick Byron that thrilled across a 35-minute set at Pure Imagination. Bird is an amazing vocalist and his falsetto-anchored voice soared on mesmerizing originals including the soulful ballad "I'll Always Be There" and more uptempo sortie "By My Side," as well as a heartfelt cover of Dr. Dog's "Where'd All The Time Go?"


Ponderosa Grove singer Candace Devine, on left, with lead guitarist Drew Hall.


Ponderosa Grove performed on the Dells Stage on the same day the popular Prescott-based band released their sophomore studio album (Two Trips Around The Sun). The six-member group used the occasion to perform cuts from that new release, along with older material well known to Ponderosa Grove fans. The 55-minute set allowed plenty of time to perform the far-flung likes of the shimmering "Waterline," beautiful "I'm Sorry" and gospel-tinged "Save My Soul." I continue to be impressed by how the collective taps into the best roots rock of the 1970s while bringing a modern-day warmth and authenticity to their sound.

Kelsey Waldon at the Pure Imagination Festival


Kelsey Waldon is a Kentucky native whose sound is rooted in traditional country and Americana stylings. Armed with a rich voice and real life-mining lyrics, the songstress impressed across her 45-minute set. Among her strong tracks was the uptempo "Traveling the Highway Home," new single "Falling Down" from her forthcoming album Every Ghost (due June 20), and the set-ending Hazel Dickens-penned country ballad "Ramblin' Woman." 


Gone Gone Beyond performing on the Dells Stage


Gone Gone Beyond brought a luxurious soundscape to the Dells Stage, performing original material that blended indie rock, Americana and folk courtesy of the vocal and musical strengths of the group. The soulful ballad "Riptide," rootsy "Little Moon" and gorgeous "Gravity" were among the highlights. 


Dave Wakeling of The English Beat



Antonee Fire Class of The English Beat


The English Beat launched their set with the catchy "Rough Rider" and from there the popular six-member troupe never looked back. Led by founding member, singer-guitarist Dave Wakeling and vocalist Antonee First Class, the English Beat's surefire blend of reggae, ska, New Wave and good vibes turned the grassy field in front of the Lakeside Stage into a fun-filled dance floor. Energetic takes on Wakeling's hits scored with both the English Beat and General Public in the 1980s hit their mark; "I'll Take You There" (a solid reworking of the Staple Singers gem), "Tenderness," "Save It For Later" and the set-ending "Mirror in the Bathroom"  


Speech (rapper Todd Thomas) of Arrested Development


Arrested Development brought its positive and progressive style of hip hop to Prescott, with Speech (rapper Todd Thomas) leading the four-member ensemble through an hour of feel good sounds. Highlights included the opener "Give a Man a Fish," the gospel-tinged "Let Your Voice Be Heard" and the melodic classic "Ease My Mind."

Matisyahu performing on the Lakeside Stage in Prescott, AZ


Matisyahu is an American artist who has crafted a singular sound blending spiritual themes with hip hop, rock, reggae and beatboxing sounds. His well-received set on the Lakeside Stage included material from across his career, including the reflective "Shadows of My Heart," confessional "Surrender" and the anthemic "One Day."

I have been to countless music festivals since attending the US Festival in 1983 and I continue to be impressed by the Pure Imagination Festival, which provides a mix of diverse artists and cultural-minded activities for everyone - including children - to enjoy in the most beautiful of natural settings. 


Below is a gallery of additional photographs taken by Daryl Weisser on May 17.


From left, Peg Millett, Susann Hutchinson and Barbara Palguta
of the Western Heritage Museum

 

Singer-guitarist Kelsey Waldon performing with her band at Pure Imagination


Singer-guitarist Robin Zander of Cheap Trick


Concertgoers at the Pure Imagination Festival in Prescott, AZ

Candace Devine of Ponderosa Grove during the band's
performance on the Dells Stage


Cheap Trick's Robin Zander at the Pure Imagination Festival




Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen during the band's headlining set