- Label
- Rolling Stones/Atlantic
- Year of release
- 1972
- Genre
- Rock
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Recorded amidst drug addiction, tax evasion and all-round disarry, this double album of swampy blues rock nevertheless triumphs in its superb songwriting and soulful euphoria
Top facts:
- The Stones were literally in exile on the south of France when they recorded this album. Having to abandon England to avoid excessive taxation, the band holed up at Nellcôte, a mansion Keith Richards had rented.
- At the height of the recording sessions, Keith Richards was on a daily diet of heroin to ease the pain caused by an earlier go-karting accident. Despite this affecting his ability to play at times, Richards did manage to write Happy with producer Jimmy Miller and saxophonist Bobby Keys, on which he both sings and plays bass.
- Despite the fact that the album is seen as their very best work, Mick Jagger is none too keen on Exile. "Although I think the record does have a particular feeling, I'm not too sure how great the songs are" he said in 2003. "I'd love to remix the record, not just because of the vocals, but because generally I think it sounds lousy."
Best tracks:
Tumbling Dice
Shine A Light
Rocks Off
If you like this, try:
Gram Parsons: Grievous Angel
The Yardbirds: Little Games
Chuck Berry: Chuck Berry Is On Top
The Who: Who's Next
