When the Rolling Stones were the world's greatest band

Inside the box you'll find four discs.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

The Rolling Stones really were the world's greatest rock and roll band in 1969. That was 40 years ago, but if you need proof to verify the ancient claim, check out the "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert--40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set."

The Stones' live shows of the '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s were spectacles of frenzied energy, extravagant sets, video projections, and lots of flash, but "Ya Ya" was the real deal. The five Rolling Stones were the show, and that was more than enough. If you're going to only buy one live Stones CD, get "Ya Ya."

The original album was recorded over two nights at Madison Square Garden; I was there at one of those shows. I had a great time and bought the LP as soon as it came out. Still have it.

Keith Richards and Mick Taylor's yin vs. yang guitar styles meshed perfectly on "Midnight Rambler" and "Sympathy For The Devil." Mick Jagger and Richards paid tribute to the man who invented rock and roll, Chuck Berry, with a romping "Little Queenie." The new box set includes the original version on CD, plus a five-song EP from the same shows, with unplugged performances of "Prodigal Son" and "You Gotta Move." Sound quality is really good for a 1960s-era live recording, but I prefer the sound of the single disc "Ya Ya" SACD that came out in 2002, at least when it's played on a SACD player.

Disc Three features the shows opening acts, blues master B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner. Me, I loved King's set; Turner's seems rushed, and the sound mix is spotty. Disc Four is a 29-minute DVD of the five tunes on (CD) Disc Two. I loved the shots of Richards and later Taylor backstage with Jimi Hendrix, and then there's Janis Joplin dancing off-stage, having a grand old time. Some of the DVD's material appears on "Gimme Shelter," a documentary film of the Rolling Stones' 1969 American tour (which is not part of this box set). The Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes sound surprisingly good.

You also get a hard-cover 56-page book with a few essays and a postcard replica of the original Rolling Stones 1969 tour poster. A limited number of box sets will also have an insert with a code to download "I'm Free (Live)" for "Guitar Hero."

Vinyl fans haven't been forgotten, The "Super Deluxe" edition of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert" includes all of the content of the "Deluxe Edition" with vinyl LPs, one of which has etched images featuring the cover art and the Rolling Stones' signatures. Groovy!

If that's more Ya Ya than you need, stick with the 2002 hybrid CD/SACD.

[eltoro2827]

The rolling stones were never and never will be the greatest of anytime. The beatles blew them away in every way possible.

[ranpha]

And Led Zeppelin kick the arses of both!

[pubmat]

A matter of opinion to be sure.

[EricShook]

I always felt The Beatles had a larger following of girls than boys, while The Stones seemed to be an even mix of both. However Led Zeppelin was definitely a boys thing.

[epross]

The Rolling Stones are them old guys right? lol

[rwa1696]

Yep, the Beatles really led the rock n' roll pack. Unless you wanted your rock n' roll to have some edge (Beatles were a bit soft around the edges), or something rebellious (foreign to the "happy to be here" or "oops, now we're silly" Beatles), or perhaps with some sexual tension (again, Beatles come up empty), or even just plain musically adventurous (uh oh, only nursery rhymes to be found here). There's more of all of those ingredients in the first 20 seconds of "Satisfaction" than in the entire Beatles catalogue - I'm not even a Stones fan, and I know this. The Beatles were a pop group, not a rock band, and belong in conversations with Babyface, Dianne Warren, the Dave Clark Five, and the Beach Boys. The Beatles had nothing in common with those that actually rocked - a list that includes the Stones, the Who, Zep - or those that were inventing something new - a list which could also include Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush. Of course, these bands were much harder to imitate, which means they had less "influence" (influence being the ease with which someone can imitate what you do, in the Beatles' case). Sadly, many who should know better lump them together all the time. I'm tired of hearing that squashing a dozen or so mismatched musical disasters (White Album) together and pretending it it great is a substitute for actually getting the work done, or that a great cover (Sgt Pepper) makes a concept album or something. Sorry for the rant, but I've heard the whole "Beatles defined everything" crock one too many times.

[veganpagan]

Hello! I saw The Stones several times over the years but I agree that the Ya-Yas tour was the best. The thing that always sticks out in my mind was how absolutely electrifying Ike And Tina were. They got the crowd so hot that the Stones waited a long, long time before they took the stage. It seemed like it was over an hour. Ike and Tina were at their peak (as well as the Stones) and were a hard act to follow. One of my favorlite concerts of all time. Number one will always be Jimi Hendrix at The Fillmore, just days after The Monterey Pop Festival. J-J-J-Jaw-dropping! A few days later I saw The Who for the first time, also at The Fillmore. Incredible! My best week of music ever. Also up at the top was Jimi Hendrix (not the next time he came (to Winterland) when he wasn't at his best) but the show at The Berkeley Community Theatre (Jimi Plays Berkeley on VHS and maybe DVD). As to your equipment survey, I still have and love my several pairs of KEF 105 speakers.

[pubmat]

Great recommendation for the sacd Ya Ya Steve. I'll be picking one up for sure.

[canadianduffer999]

Definitely the best of the commercially released shows.

There is a phenominal Brussels 1973 show out there which was recorded from the soundboard but due to a record company dispute was never released but is available as a bootleg. The sound is great and Mick Taylor shows why he was the greatest lead giutarist the Stones ever had. If you can get your hands on a copy, enjoy!

[soundman45]

Ya Ya's was definately a landmark. The benchmark of live records at that time. The Stones at their touring-est best. I can't wait for the re-release of the extended "Exile on Main Street" reissue in 2010.
It hope it's worth the hype ?

[pubmat]

They should re-release the SACD version of Ya Ya with more tracks, like the standard CD version. Its pitifully truncated.

[canadianduffer999]

For what it's worth, a remastered "Love You Live" is being released next week which includes the great El Mocambo songs (Mannish Boy, Crackin' Up, Little Red Rooster and Around and Around).

[one_flat_monkey]

i saw Hendrix, Cream, the Dead, but never the Stones. too bad they didn't retire 7 or 8 years ago.

[wpavlik2]

I would rather hear this vintage of the Rolling Stones captured live than the newer concerts. It seems they try to race thru their songs, and the music suffers for it. Looks like this one goes on my Christmas wish list.
The Stones were a great Rock and Roll band for a number of years. You can respect them along with respecting other greats like the Beatles and Led Zepplin.