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For The Rolling Stones, it was lucky thirteen. The band's thirteenth studio album, 1976's Black and Blue, reached No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 in the band's native United Kingdom, and yielded a top ten hit single on both sides of the Atlantic with the ballad "Fool to Cry." Now, it's set for the super deluxe treatment on November 14, just shy of its 50th anniversary. Built around a brand-new remix by the ubiquitous Steven Wilson, the set will be released by Interscope and UMe in a variety of formats:
- 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); and
- 1LP Zoetrope Vinyl.
Black and Blue marked the Stones' rebirth in the wake of Mick Taylor's departure from the band. As a result, Keith Richards took on the lion's share of the guitar work while the group saw fit to "audition" others. Guitar heroes Jeff Beck, Harvey Mandel, Robert A. Johnson, and Wayne Perkins all contributed to the sessions, as did Ronnie Wood. Having previously inspired and played on the title track of 1974's It's Only Rock 'n Roll and toured with the band in 1975, Wood was uniquely positioned. He played on three songs on Black and Blue ("Cherry Oh Baby," "Hey Negrita," and "Crazy Mama") and was introduced on the album's release date (and its cover photograph) as an official member - a position he holds to this day. He seamlessly joined Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman in the lineup.
The band's second album to be co-produced by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as The Glimmer Twins, Black and Blue featured the Stones' trademark blend of blues and rock alongside reggae, jazz, soul, and funk influences. Among the other guest musicians was Billy Preston, whose piano and/or organ could be heard on six of the LP's eight original tracks, and another longtime Stones keyboardist pal, Nicky Hopkins. Jagger and Richards contributed all of the songs save for the cover of Jamaican singer Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Baby."
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The upcoming editions all feature the original album as remixed by Steven Wilson plus a disc of previously unreleased recordings. These include four instrumental jams featuring Harvey Mandel, Robert A. Johnson, and Jeff Beck as well as a cover of Shirley and Company's 1974 Disco chart-topper "Shame, Shame, Shame," and Jagger and Richards' funky "I Love Ladies." (Reported studio visits from guitarists Steve Marriott, Rory Gallagher, and Peter Frampton were also rumored.) The Super Deluxe CD and LP sets then continue with Live at Earls Court 1976, taken from the band's six-night May '76 residency at the (now-demolished) Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. Billy Preston, Ian Stewart, and Ollie Brown - all of whom played on Black and Blue - joined them for the concerts. In addition to old favorites, the setlist includes "Fool to Cry," "Hey Negrita," "Hot Stuff," and "Hand of Fate."
The 5LP and 4CD SDEs also include a Blu-ray Disc with Wilson's new mixes in stereo and Dolby Atmos; stereo and Atmos audio of the Earls Court show; and a television broadcast of their Paris concert from just weeks later in June 1976. These editions boast a 100-page hardcover book with liner notes by Paul Sexton, and a replica tour poster. 2CD or 2LP and 1CD or 1LP versions with Wilson's new album mix only will also be available, along with a limited-edition zoetrope vinyl pressing. A 5LP pressing on marbled "black and blue" vinyl will be available from select retailers, including the Stones' official storefront, only.
A new music video for "Shame, Shame, Shame" directed by Dutch filmmaker Camille Boumans will premiere on YouTube and other steaming services tomorrow, incorporating rare photos with new, hand-drawn animation.
The (almost) 50th anniversary edition of Black and Blue arrives from Interscope and UMe on November 14. You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
The Rolling Stones, Black and Blue (Rolling Stones Records COC 79104, 1976 - reissued Interscope/UMe, 2025)
1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
- Hot Stuff
- Hand Of Fate
- Cherry Oh Baby
- Memory Motel
- Hey Negrita
- Melody
- Fool To Cry
- Crazy Mama
2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/LP1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025
- Hot Stuff
- Hand Of Fate
- Cherry Oh Baby
- Memory Motel
- Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
- Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
- Fool To Cry
- Crazy Mama
CD/LP2: Outtakes and Jams
- I Love Ladies
- Shame, Shame, Shame
- Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)
- Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
- Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
- Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)
Super Deluxe Edition: 4CD/Blu-ray or 5LP/Blu-ray
4CD/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
5LP/BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD1/LP1: Steven Wilson Remix 2025
- Hot Stuff
- Hand Of Fate
- Cherry Oh Baby
- Memory Motel
- Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
- Melody (Inspiration by Billy Preston)
- Fool To Cry
- Crazy Mama
CD2/LP2: Outtakes and Jams
- I Love Ladies
- Shame, Shame, Shame
- Chuck Berry Style Jam (With Harvey Mandel)
- Blues Jam (With Jeff Beck)
- Rotterdam Jam (With Jeff Beck & Robert A. Johnson)
- Freeway Jam (With Jeff Beck)
CD3-4/LP3-5: Live at Earls Court 1976
- Honky Tonk Women
- If You Can't Rock Me/Get Off My Cloud
- Hand Of Fate
- Hey Negrita (Inspiration by Ron Wood)
- 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
- Band Intro
- 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
Blu-ray Disc
Black and Blue (Steven Wilson Remix 2025) (Hi-Res Stereo and Dolby Atmos)
- Hot Stuff
- Hand Of Fate
- Cherry Oh Baby
- Memory Motel
- Hey Negrita
- Melody
- Fool To Cry
- Crazy Mama
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
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
Original Album 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 Arrangement (6)
Produced by The Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)
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I feel like the era of great SuperDeluxe sets is over. At least the selection for this season (for all artists) seems to be really reaching much more for wallets than for artistic appeal or ground-breaking vaultological discoveries. I'm sure there are exceptions I'm overlooking but my bank account and bookshelf are going to be relieved this year, at least.
An unnecessary remix, an outtakes & jams disc that, if shorter than the album, could fit on Disc 1, and a live set that's basically the 1975 From The Vaults show, but in 1976, with a few additions and omissions. The Blu-ray could be something interesting on its own, but as usual it won't be sold that way. But that's why it's called Optional Entertainment!
Lets hope the lead singer doesn't feel the need to re-record his vocals on the out-takes tracks
Awesome release HOWEVER why has 'It's Only Rock'n'Roll' been skipped as a special anniversary release? Nevertheless, the ability to listen to that stupendous Wayne Perkins guitar solo on 'Hand of Fate' studio recording in Atmos is a dream come true for diehard Stones fan...such as myself.
“Black & Blue is arguably the weakest of Stones albums.
Far from it. Only weak track is Fool To Cry. My weakest Stones album list after Mick Taylor years includes Emotional Rescue, Undercover, Dirty Work, Steel Wheels, Bridges To Babylon and Hackney Diamonds.
Well they have put 'Shame, Shame, Shame' on YouTube but they needn't have bothered as it is atrocious, one that should have been left in the vault. That does not body well for the "jams", a word that always makes me nervous thinking of disc #3 of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. The price is off the scale for the superdeluxe edition so the 2CD version will likely be the preferred version for most who are interested in one of the weakest Stones LPs from the 1970s.
Am I misremembering or is there a substantial price increase for this set compared to the Super Deluxe Tattoo You reissue from just a few years ago?
For me, Black & Blue was an enjoyable treasure. Got it the day it came out and liked the diversity - rock, funk, blue-eyed soul, dance - very much. Some great songs here. And given the band was in transition, I thought it always held together well. Sonically, it was fantastic. Still measures up as their best-sounding album.
As for this release, I agree the deluxe set is overpriced. And while the jams may be fun, I'd prefer more outtakes instead. I'm also curious to hear whether Wilson can make it sound any better. I'm always glad to have another live show, although I'll reserve judgement on whether this one is essential until I listen to it.
Finally, I don't mind new vocals on an old track. In this case, I'm not sure 'Shame, Shame, Shame' ever had finished vocals or anything close to it. As far as I'm concerned, a good Stones song is a good Stones song no matter when its finished, even if its a cover.
As a life-long Stones fan who can never have enough, I'm happy this is coming out, mixed bag it may be.
Who wants to hear new vocals on the tracks that were recorded about 50 years ago? Not me. If the recordings were about 5 years old it's OK. But 80+ years old singer doing vocals on the tracks that were recorded when he was 30, it's a s a shame, shame, shame. That's the reason i listened Exile On Main Street, Goats Head Soup and Tatttoo You boxsets bonus tracks only once.
As I indicated, its not clear that he ever did vocals, or full vocals, for that track back then. There may be aficionados who know for sure, but I haven't come across any boots or seen youtube videos otherwise. It is what it is.
In any event, to each his or her own. I wrote what I did simply to express one way to think about these overdubbed efforts, not convince others to view this the same way. As Dylan once said, 'most likely you go your way and i'll go mine.'
Anyone know who did the Atmos mix for the live show? It doesn't seem to have been Steven Wilson, so who?