Stones in Helsinki 8/1/07

Looks like my prediction (of the Stones' breaking out a spanking set list, come Scandinavia, as a prep for Germany and UK) wasn't exactly on.

A solid show -- especially if the show was one's first time seeing the band, or if one is a casual fan -- but really nothing new. Plus, they are still playing the same old 8 songs off of Hot Rocks Volume I.

All great songs, but we've known that for decades, and ones that have defined rock as well as a generation, but we've known that for decades, too. And thus it's time for them to play some of the other great songs off of the collection (other than the alternate Midnight Rambler etc.) not to mention, their overall catalogue.

Dear reader, do bear in mind that, this is a band who rehearsed at least 80 songs www.iorr.org/tour05/brussels.htm before launching this current Euro-leg of the A Bigger Bang tour. In turn, why on earth they must recreate the Tattoo You tour, by opening with the same pair of songs, is beyond comprehension. Especially with their catalogue!?

Although, songs 3 thru 8 -- even thru 9 -- ain't exactly shabby, either.

And thus, the frustration with the Stones continues -- after all, we're talking one of the Top 5 catalogues in Rock's history.

Of the new (or more recent) songs, Oh No Not You Again SHOULD be on the setlist -- at least in place of Miss You -- and it's a kick ass rocker, at that; sounding much more impactful live than on the compressed production by Don Was (why he was chosen to begin with, much less has been twirling the knobs for the past 15 years, is beyond comprehension.)

Nonetheless, static set lists or not, I would still want for them to play another US leg on this tour: say, this coming Autumn; preferably at Madison Square Garden http://thegarden.com/index.jsp

This could be the last time, but let's hope not, because very few do it as good, not too many do it better, and there's only one greatest Rock 'n Roll band in the world. - Manhattan Carnivore


The Rolling Stones
Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
Wednesday August 1, 2007

The set list

Start Me Up
Let's Spend The Night Together
Rough Justice
All Down The Line
She's So Cold
Love Is Strong
Sweet Virginia
Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Tumbling Dice
--- Introductions
You Got The Silver (Keith)
I Wanna Hold You (Keith)
Miss You (to B-stage)
It's Only Rock'n Roll (B-stage)
Satisfaction (B-stage)
Honky Tonk Women (to main stage)
Sympathy For The Devil
Paint It Black
Jumping Jack Flash
Brown Sugar (encore)