The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street

So much has been written about the Rolling Stones and their music and so much has been rubbish. Most writers have not had access to the band members and fall back on well-worn second or third-hand stories. John Perry doesn't recycle anything, he writes about what he knows, beginning with the historical background of Exile and following with a song-by-song examination of the album itself. Although he clearly has a deep love for this music, he is no star-struck fan, he sees the Stones' human flaws, but he isn't distracted by them, this is no parade of scandals as are so many books about this band. And in contrast to most rock writers, Perry actually knows and plays music, and his detailed breakdown of this great album literally note-by-note is superb. The combination of rich historical background and detailed musical analysis makes this a rare gem in the Rolling Stones library. I recommend this book highly, especially for musicians or those interested in the flesh-and-blood of what many consider one of rock's most important albums. My only complaint is that it isn't a hundred pages longer.

Like Perry's previous biog on the making of The Who's masterpiece 'Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy', he returns here with an interesting, witty and inciteful look at the both the state of the Stones circa the making of Exile and the wonderfully dirty rhythm and blues double album that emerged at the end of the debauched sessions in France.Clearly previous reviewers have missed the rather large fifty page chapter entitled 'The Songs', that goes into extremely well argued and meticulously researched detail from a professional guitarists point of view of just what the album is made of.Highly recommended.

Whether Exile is your favorite Stones album or not, John Perry's book will be one of your favorite Stones books. Perry has written one of the most concise summaries of the influences of power struggles, financial disaster and creative conflict on the Stones. Perry explores the history behind each track, often giving references to the bootlegged outtakes Stones fans crave.He also tells the inside story of each track, focusing upon the contributions of individual musicians to the final product.

I just picked up "Exile on Main St." from the Classic Rock series by John Perry. The book is 138 pages long- far from a pamphlet- and full of good stuff. I have briefly perused the book, and I like what I've seen. It covers the background, making and legacy of the album in a comprehensive fashion. I have to say, if you live and die by this album, then you have to get this book. It can be read like a normal book, or be used as great bathroom reading. It also contains a load of original articles and reviews of the album in 1972. I'm not crazy about the cover art, but you can't judge a book... Anyway, my final say is to spend the 12 bucks on this one. It is a labor of love by this John Perry guy, and the most complete book on this album that you will ever see. I mean a guy wrote a book about "Exile on Main St." How cool is that? Buy it for yourself for the Holidays. I already like it more then "Bridges to Babylon"...

Having enjoyed Perry's previous outing (Meaty Beaty & c), I was very much looking forward to his latest offering. Needless to say it exceeded my expectations. A relative Stones novice, (not even owning the CD. A definite must buy for those without!), I found his prose extremely acute - as well as humourous. The overall result being, unlike so many Rock biogs, a highly enjoyable perspective on a fine band perhaps at their most brilliant. Perry's fine tuned observation, particularly given his own musical experience only adds to the book. If he was to continue to produce books of such high calibre, perhaps he may become the Waugh of Rock World?'