Tuscaloosa ‘72 Stones Exile tour is my forever reference point for concerts.
Martha Reeves & Vandellas got things revved and then “Little” Stevie Wonder stepped up/ took over…about 4 months prior to release of Talking Book.
His greatness was apparent & unexpected, hard to describe (as always) when time stops and you’re taken out of your head by a musical tour-de-force…distinctly remember thinking that if the Stones had suddenly canceled, no worries, I got my $7.50 worth.
if there has ever been a greater front man than Mr. Jagger I’d like to see ‘em, as he and the original recording musicians tapped into the electricity of the audience and put on a galvanizing concert. Bianca we standing off-stage in front of me, a dude 20 seats down was head-to-toe in full clown suit makeup/regalia, And Exile on Main Street came alive.
Chip Monck had the rear mounted, light reflecting mirror array behind the stage so everyone could see unobstructed. Keith and Mick Taylor burned, Bobby Keys honked, Charlie pounded and Nicky Hopkins added his understated greatness to everything.
Walking to the car I felt like I was floating above the grass, on a natural high…like a great show should be.