The Times from San Mateo, California • Page 46

jv4va2Kttrlfft' I' 'mJt mimmmmmmmM I Wi I I mm I I 1''" 1 Brjl ll The Rolling Stones as they Grrived for fhe current American tour which has been playing io packed houses, including a San Diego performance this week that saw 20 fans Injured and 45 arrested in a hassle set off by countar feit tickets. Pop Corner The Stones Best, Could Be Better Peter J. Barsocchini looseness to come. Then we have a couple of late fifties, early sixties based rock and rollers. "Rip This Joint'1 and Shake," The former tune sounds as though it is based on "Shake, Rattle and Roll," and it presents such memorable lyrics as: "Yirig Yang, you're my thing," "Hip Shake" Is not quite as endearing as that, but is all rjght just the same.

Some nice guitar licks come through on "Casino Boogie." And "Tumbling Dice," a Stones formula hit, a good one, closes the side well, with a provocative vocal by and some sassy guitar work' by Richards and Taylor. Side two opens with one of the best songs the Rolling Stones have ever done, "Sweet Virginia," Jagger's vocal for this one seems to have been recorded in a hotel shower, but it works out just right. The sound is heavily acoustic, characteristically loose; and the backing vocalists sound as though they are quite, shall we say, "Torn and Frayed," a classic as far as rock and roll song lilies are concerned, has a low key drive that is good. "Black Angel" 'and "Loving Cup" are both average cuts, lislenable and enjoyable because the Stones play so well. The whole of sides three and four sounds muds like the final cut or side two.

in as much as there is little musically new, but what we do gel is mostly solid rock and roil. Keith Richard, who evidently has surrendered his lead guitar chores, at times, to Mick Taylor, sings lead on "Happy," And although this song, musically, reminds one of "Brown Sugar," it comes off well, On the Run" is a loser, a throwavyay which not even she Stones can save. Blues" picks things up again with some basic Stores rock: sassy, nasty, tough and fun fo listen to. 'Must Wanna See His Face" is a sort of lame gospel imitation thai the Stones should have thought twice about. Side three closes with with' each playing.

Bui Ihe now double album, Exile an Main Street (Rolling Stones Records Coc 2 2900) is definitely a' restatement of the Stones' basic nature. The sound is characterized by loose, raucous, enjoyable, high energy quality drunkenness. Most of the music on these albums comes through more spontaneously than does the music of Sticky Fingers, and it succeeds within this context. By way of comparison, you could say that the majority or the music on the new album leans in the direction set by on the Sticky Fingers LP. No one will call the new material "Progressive Rock," nor will these songs send Hollywood's innumerable trendies scurrying Tor cover sounds.

But anyone that cares anything for rock and roll, especially Boiling style, will be sure to shake their hips at these offerings. The album opens with a strong and satisfying Stones' rocker, "Rocks that gives an indication of the "Let It Loose," a1 perfect son, to listen at three thirty some wide awake Saturday morning. The final side is no bursting powder keg of sounds, but we do get some drive on "Stop Breaking Down," and Billy Preston, premier organist (the man who steals the show in "Concert, for stops by to enhance "Shine a Light." ft is rather ambitious of the Rolling Stones to put out a double album, since most music fans expect highly decent stuff from them, (but will take whatever is offered). The Stones do have a musical conscience of soma kind. And what the' Stones have given us' is a few great songs, a lot of good ones, but also a fair share of average tracks (with two real losers).

Certainly, compared to the current comMtition, Exile on Main Street is a superior double album set, But, the Rolling Stones being the host, they could do even he tor. No doubt, sooner or latei they will. Robert Sveitssou Ilalcambio, P.O. Box 1358, North Miami, Florida 3S16L "The Profit in Your Pocket," a new, fully illustrated 24 page coin manual, is now ready tor readers. This comprehensive guide tells what to collect and how.

Gives profit potentials of gold and silver. For a copy, send $1,00 plus two eight cent stamps to (loin Collector's Corner, San Mateo times, P.O. Box 2690, Hoilvwood, Calif. 90023, i Wi1h the exception of not altogether infrequent Hashes of original brilliance on such songs as r'Gimmie Shelter'' and "Moonlight' Mile," the Rolling Stones, long known as the bad 'buys of have rarely been real! musical ex plorevs; their sound. is highly derivative of American blues, ingenuously so.

But this does not detract from the fact that the Rolling Stones, by popular and critical ac are the best rock and roll band in the world. After ail. rock and roll, it is commonly agreed, is largely the youthful melting; pot of. blues, country, and Some groups, the Stones in particular, simply absorb and Interpret, with creative drive and lots of booze, these root influences, And the Stones just happen to do this better than anyone else. The last album, Sticky Firt ge'rs, was partially a departure from this maxim that ajbum showed the more stylized side of the Rolling Stones, an excellent collection of meticulously crafted rock which sounds better Coin Corner The Indians seem to be winning a few at last.

Certainly the American Indian and his culture are enjoying belated recognition through out the world, Latest nation to pay tribute to the "first Americans" is "the little Republic of Haiti, our Caribbean neighbor. Haiti has struck nine coins, each bearing the head of a famous American Indian Chief. The coins are of 10 Gourde denomination and are minted in 099 1000 pure silver. Haiti Honors the American Indian words, "Liberie, Egalitc, Fraternite." Haiti is Ihe only French speaking republic in Ihe Western Hemisphere. The Indian Chiefs Proof Set is available to U.S, collectors.

The coins were minted in Italy, The price of a complete sol in a display case with a certificate of authenticity is $135. Each coin is approximately the size of the U.S, silver dollar. Information on the series can be obtained by writing to Because Haiti Is an independent sovereign nation, these coins are legal tender, acceptable for exchange anywhere in tbc world. It is highly unlikely any of the Proof Issue coins will ever find their way into anything but a safe deposit box. They are just not for spending.

The little island republic of Haiti' has contributed something more than a pretty coin to the world of numismatics. Each of the nine coins is tru ly a work of art, The coins are Issued in exquisite mirror like proof finish. Detail in the portraits sets new standards" in the art or minting and engraving, The Indian chiefs portrayed on the nine proof coins are Red Cloud, Joseph Nex Perce, Geronimo, War Eagle, Sitting Bull, Stalking Turkey, Osceola, Playong Ked Fox, and Billy Bow Legs. The reverse of all nine coins displays the seal of the Republique D'Haiti, and the Page 16A THE TIMES WEEKEND Sofurday, June 17, 1972.