This phenomenal Rolling Stones album was released 50 years ago on 5 December.

Let It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American studio album by English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in December 1969 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. Released shortly after the band’s 1969 American Tour, it is the follow-up to 1968’s Beggars Banquet.

The album was recorded during a period of turmoil in the band; Brian Jones, the band’s founder and original leader, had become increasingly unreliable in the studio due to heavy drug use, and during most recording sessions was either absent, or so incapacitated that he was unable to contribute meaningfully. He was fired in the midst of recording sessions for this album, and replaced by Mick Taylor. Jones appeared on this album on only two songs, playing backing instruments, and went on to die within a month of being fired. Taylor had been hired after principal recording was complete on many of the tracks, and likewise appears on only two songs, having recorded some guitar overdubs. As such, Keith Richards was the band’s sole guitarist during most of the recording sessions; being responsible for nearly all of the rhythm and lead parts. The other Stones members (Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts) appear on nearly every track, and significant additional contributions were made by percussionist Jimmy Miller (who also produced the album), keyboardists Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart, and numerous other guest musicians.

The album charted as a top-ten album in several markets, including reaching number one in the UK and number three in the US. While no highly-charting singles were released from the album, many of the album’s songs became staples of Rolling Stones live shows and on rock radio stations for decades to come, including two gospel-infused songs, “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, both of which ranked highly on retrospective “best ever” songs lists.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Bleed

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/weekendmornings/weekend-mornings/11732754 (starts half way through)

Mark Bannerman with Simon Marnie on last Saturday’s “Sonic Journey” covers other Stones ’69 dramas very nicely.

In that year the Rolling Stones where in a deal of bother with car crashes, drug busts and money worries.

Brian Jones was an addict of just about everything and was just about incapable of functioning. Alan Klein, yank charlatan, had set up a company which was holding up all their money from record sales. They needed to put out a new album and they were effectively broke.

Jagger did have the beginnings of little number floating around that would become the anthemic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.
His getting far too much into the part in the sex scenes with Anita Pallenberg on the film set of the infamous “Performance” had Keith crazy jealous and upping his heroin intake and just disappearing.

So they got in Ry Cooder, the brilliant session guitarist/multi-instrumentalist, who could play any style of music.

There was huge tension in the studio and Keith was more interested in exploring the music of Robert Johnson than anything else, so Mick and Kieth put together a cover of RJ’s “Love In Vain”… Ry on mandolin.

But they needed a hit single and Keith, in cowboy mode, paid homage to Hank Williams with “Country Honk” (which later mutated into “Honky Tonk Women”).

The Stones were not making any money from record releases and needed to get back on the road. However, Brian was not allowed into America because of a drug bust so they sacked him. To replace him they recruited the brilliant young Mick Taylor who was working with John Mayal’s Blues Breakers.

Brian Jones was fired from the band during the recording of Let It Bleed, having performed on only two tracks: playing autoharp on “You Got the Silver”, and percussion on “Midnight Rambler”. Brian was found dead in his swimming pool not long after and the Stones put together a tribute concert in Hyde Park.

Jagger, sitting in a paddock with a guitar in Oz, on the set of Ned Kelly strums a few chords and begins to write “Brown Sugar”.

“Gimme Shelter” is the opening number on the album (a pregnant Merry Clayton is dragged in late in the night to scream “Rape, murder! It’s just a shot away! It’s just a shot away!”. Clayton later suffered a miscarriage, attributed by some sources to her exertions during the recording). This number reflects the tension between Jagger and Richards, the disastrous Altamont free concert, the Vietnam War and the general vibe.

“She Got the Silver” and “Monkey Man”…Nicky Hopkins added his ‘silver tiaras’ as well as playing on 3 other tracks

“Wild Horses”… beautiful countrified number… everyone working together

The menacing “Midnight Rambler” became a feature of the band’s subsequent live shows

The title track “Let it Bleed” …may be “the best illustration” of the way the Rolling Stones make “a slightly sloppy approach work for them rather than against them.”…the song represents “one of Jagger’s best vocals, with a supremely lazy approach that seems to be both affectionate and mocking at the same time.”

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The Sonic Journey file expires at 0900 on Saturday.

1. The Beatles – Abbey Road
The Beatles – Abbey Road
September 26, 1969

2. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willy and the Poor Boys
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willy and the Poor Boys
November 10, 1969

3. Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis
June 1, 1969

4. The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
December 5, 1969

5. The Band – The Band
The Band – The Band
September 22, 1969

6. Sly & The Family Stone – Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone – Stand!
May 3, 1969

7. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II
October 22, 1969

8. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
August 5, 1969

9. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
January 12, 1969

10. The Who – Tommy
The Who – Tommy
May 23, 1969

11. The Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat
The Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat
April 21, 1969

12. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
September 1, 1969

13. Fleetwood Mac – Then Play On
Fleetwood Mac – Then Play On
September 19, 1969

14. Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs
January 1, 1969

15. Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers
Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers
November 1, 1969

16. The Kinks – Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks – Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
October 10, 1969

17. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
May 14, 1969

18. Kevin Ayers – Joy of a Toy
Kevin Ayers – Joy of a Toy
November 1, 1969

19. Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline
Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline
April 9, 1969

20. James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
March 1, 1969

21. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
March 31, 1969

22. Santana – Santana
Santana – Santana
August 1, 1969

23. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground
March 1, 1969

24. Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul
September 23, 1969

25. The Beach Boys – 20/20
The Beach Boys – 20/20

26. James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
March 1, 1969

27. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
March 31, 1969

28. Aretha Franklin – Soul ’69
Aretha Franklin – Soul ’69
January 17, 1969

29. Leonard Cohen – Songs from a Room
Leonard Cohen – Songs from a Room
April 7, 1969

30. James Gang – Yer’ Album
James Gang – Yer’ Album
March 29, 1969

31. The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
January 17, 1969

32. Phil Ochs – Rehearsals for Retirement
Phil Ochs – Rehearsals for Retirement
May 16, 1969

33. The Bob Seger System – Noah
The Bob Seger System – Noah
September 1, 1969

34. The Bob Seger System – Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
The Bob Seger System – Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
April 1, 1969

35. The Doors – The Soft Parade
The Doors – The Soft Parade
July 21, 1969

36. Bee Gees – Odessa
Bee Gees – Odessa
March 1, 1969

37. James Brown – The Popcorn
James Brown – The Popcorn
August 8, 1969

38. Chicago – The Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago – The Chicago Transit Authority
April 28, 1969

39. James Brown – It’s A Mother
James Brown – It’s A Mother
October 0, 1969

40. Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
August 29, 1969

41. Cream – Goodbye
Cream – Goodbye
February 5, 1969

42. Al Green – Green Is Blues
Al Green – Green Is Blues
April 15, 1969

43. David Bowie – Space Oddity
David Bowie – Space Oddity
November 4, 1969

44. Genesis – From Genesis to Revelation
Genesis – From Genesis to Revelation
March 7, 1969

45. George Harrison – Electronic Sound
George Harrison – Electronic Sound
May 9, 1969

46. Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
October 25, 1969

47. Jeff Beck Group – Beck-Ola
Jeff Beck Group – Beck-Ola

48. Ten Years After – Ssssh
Ten Years After – Ssssh
August 1, 1969

49. Joan Baez – David’s Album
Joan Baez – David’s Album
May 1, 1969

50. Carpenters – Ticket to Ride
Carpenters – Ticket to Ride

51. Elton John – Empty Sky
Elton John – Empty Sky

52. Dr. John – Babylon
Dr. John – Babylon
January 17, 1969

53. Ten Years After – Stonedhenge
Ten Years After – Stonedhenge
February 2, 1969

54. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Wedding Album
John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Wedding Album
October 20, 1969

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/ratings/35-highest-rated/1969/3

Some more…

Original Cast Hair

Iron Butterfly In-a-gadda-da-vida

The Rolling Stones Through The Past Darkly

It’s a Beautiful Day It’s a Beautiful Day

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 Fool On The Hill

Diana Ross & The Supremes Love Child

The Doors The Soft Parade

Joe Cocker With A Little Help From My Friends

Jeff Beck Beck-ola

Three Dog Night Three Dog Night

Joni Mitchell Clouds

sarahs mum said:

1. The Beatles – Abbey Road
The Beatles – Abbey Road
September 26, 1969

2. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willy and the Poor Boys
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willy and the Poor Boys
November 10, 1969

3. Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis
June 1, 1969

4. The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
December 5, 1969

5. The Band – The Band
The Band – The Band
September 22, 1969

6. Sly & The Family Stone – Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone – Stand!
May 3, 1969

7. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II
October 22, 1969

8. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
August 5, 1969

9. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin
January 12, 1969

10. The Who – Tommy
The Who – Tommy
May 23, 1969

11. The Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat
The Mothers of Invention – Uncle Meat
April 21, 1969

12. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
September 1, 1969

13. Fleetwood Mac – Then Play On
Fleetwood Mac – Then Play On
September 19, 1969

14. Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs
January 1, 1969

15. Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers
Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers
November 1, 1969

16. The Kinks – Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks – Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
October 10, 1969

17. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
May 14, 1969

18. Kevin Ayers – Joy of a Toy
Kevin Ayers – Joy of a Toy
November 1, 1969

19. Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline
Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline
April 9, 1969

20. James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
March 1, 1969

21. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
March 31, 1969

22. Santana – Santana
Santana – Santana
August 1, 1969

23. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground
March 1, 1969

24. Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul
September 23, 1969

25. The Beach Boys – 20/20
The Beach Boys – 20/20

26. James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
James Brown – Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud
March 1, 1969

27. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
March 31, 1969

28. Aretha Franklin – Soul ’69
Aretha Franklin – Soul ’69
January 17, 1969

29. Leonard Cohen – Songs from a Room
Leonard Cohen – Songs from a Room
April 7, 1969

30. James Gang – Yer’ Album
James Gang – Yer’ Album
March 29, 1969

31. The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
January 17, 1969

32. Phil Ochs – Rehearsals for Retirement
Phil Ochs – Rehearsals for Retirement
May 16, 1969

33. The Bob Seger System – Noah
The Bob Seger System – Noah
September 1, 1969

34. The Bob Seger System – Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
The Bob Seger System – Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
April 1, 1969

35. The Doors – The Soft Parade
The Doors – The Soft Parade
July 21, 1969

36. Bee Gees – Odessa
Bee Gees – Odessa
March 1, 1969

37. James Brown – The Popcorn
James Brown – The Popcorn
August 8, 1969

38. Chicago – The Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago – The Chicago Transit Authority
April 28, 1969

39. James Brown – It’s A Mother
James Brown – It’s A Mother
October 0, 1969

40. Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
August 29, 1969

41. Cream – Goodbye
Cream – Goodbye
February 5, 1969

42. Al Green – Green Is Blues
Al Green – Green Is Blues
April 15, 1969

43. David Bowie – Space Oddity
David Bowie – Space Oddity
November 4, 1969

44. Genesis – From Genesis to Revelation
Genesis – From Genesis to Revelation
March 7, 1969

45. George Harrison – Electronic Sound
George Harrison – Electronic Sound
May 9, 1969

46. Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
October 25, 1969

47. Jeff Beck Group – Beck-Ola
Jeff Beck Group – Beck-Ola

48. Ten Years After – Ssssh
Ten Years After – Ssssh
August 1, 1969

49. Joan Baez – David’s Album
Joan Baez – David’s Album
May 1, 1969

50. Carpenters – Ticket to Ride
Carpenters – Ticket to Ride

51. Elton John – Empty Sky
Elton John – Empty Sky

52. Dr. John – Babylon
Dr. John – Babylon
January 17, 1969

53. Ten Years After – Stonedhenge
Ten Years After – Stonedhenge
February 2, 1969

54. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Wedding Album
John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Wedding Album
October 20, 1969

https://www.albumoftheyear.org/ratings/35-highest-rated/1969/3

Clearly no clue if they include John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Wedding Album

sarahs mum said:

Some more…

Original Cast Hair

Iron Butterfly In-a-gadda-da-vida

The Rolling Stones Through The Past Darkly

It’s a Beautiful Day It’s a Beautiful Day

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 Fool On The Hill

Diana Ross & The Supremes Love Child

The Doors The Soft Parade

Joe Cocker With A Little Help From My Friends

Jeff Beck Beck-ola

Three Dog Night Three Dog Night

Joni Mitchell Clouds

Nice

There was some grand music. Some of the best music. And some shit.

Also 1969:

Fairport Convention:
What We Did on Our Holidays
Unhalfbricking
Liege & Lief

Pentangle
Basket of Light

(The Incredible String Band had their big year the year before)

Delia Smith baked the cake.

She was told to make it as ocer-the-top as possible.

captain_spalding said:

Delia Smith baked the cake.

She was told to make it as ocer-the-top as possible.

I’ve never given a lot of thought to the cover art, except that it was clever and “out there”.. in keeping with the music.

—

The original artwork from Rolling Stones album Let It Bleed – which included a cake created by Delia Smith – is to be sold for up to £40,000.

The 1969 sleeve was styled like a stacking record player with a clock face, pizza, film-reel can and a tyre piled beneath the glace cherry-decked cake.

It will be sold by auction house Bonhams next month as part of an entertainment memorabilia sale with an estimated price from £30,000-£40,000.

Designer Robert Brownjohn was commissioned to create the image by his friend, guitarist Keith Richards, and was influenced by the working title of the album, Automatic Changer.

He asked Smith to create the over-the-top cake, which was decorated with cherries, silver balls, trails of pink and green icing and wedding cake-style figures of the band.

She has recalled: “They wanted it to be very over-the-top and as gaudy as I could make it.”

The cover regularly features in polls of the greatest sleeves of all time and was chosen for a set of Royal Mail stamps depicting classic album covers last year.

Independent 2011

If you had showed me the cover without any writing on it I wouldn’t have been able to tell you which band it was from let alone which album it was.

sibeen said:

If you had showed me the cover without any writing on it I wouldn’t have been able to tell you which band it was from let alone which album it was.

That would be true of many best-selling albums. I really only know the album art of albums I’ve actually bought.