RollingStone.com has news today about all the upcoming reissues
discussed here already. There's an interesting quote about Exile
"Universal says they have “wide plans” for the Stones’ double-LP,
but it will be released later this year."

Any thoughts on this?

A proper Deluxe Edition or just another no frills re-do?

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Details added by Linda:

Product Description
Upon its release more than three decades ago, Exile on Main Street innovatively wove varying musical genres, instruments and even artists into a compelling rhythmic masterpiece. This new compilation features 10 tracks originally recorded during the Exile era and only recently discovered while working on the reissue project. The unearthed tracks which include such titles as "Plundered My Soul," "Dancing in the Light," "Following the River" and "Pass The Wine" have undergone a unique evolution, while staying true to the essence of the 1972 album. Alternate versions of "Soul Survivor" and "Loving Cup" also are a part of the Exile bonus materials.

As a complement to the release of Exile on Main Street, a documentary, "Stones in Exile," has just been completed for fans to view on US Network television and through BBC Worldwide internationally. The documentary features rare, never-before-seen archival film, photos and interviews as well as new conversations with the band and the artists they influence. Produced by Oscar -winning filmmaker John Battsek and directed by Stephen Kijak, who is known for award-winning work on Cinemania, and Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, "Stones in Exile" offers an uncommon glimpse into the lives of the band as they created one of the greatest albums of all time.

The original 18-track double-album was recorded in various stages at multiple locations, including Olympic Studios in London, Keith Richard's mansion Nellcote in France, and in Los Angeles where the literal "Main Street" influenced the album title. These atypical circumstances surrounding the recording process greatly affected the album's outcome which was highly reflective and influenced by the sociopolitical turbulence that marked the late `60s and early `70s. The Stones nixed the influences of a flower-child era and directed their creative process with the edgier, excessive, "more is more" approach of the `70s. Exile reveals a sprawling mix of genres with undertones of blues, country, R&B and gospel mixed with lyrics that fervently demand for release and liberation.

The album pulled together an electric array of talent including Dr. John, the late Billy Preston and pianist Nicky Hopkins. Guitarist Mick Taylor, who replaced Brian Jones in the band shortly before Jones died in 1969, is a magnificent blues player who brought an intensity and elegance to these epic tracks. At times, these musicians and others lived on the recording studio premises with the band creating an extremely open and creative collaboration for the album.

"The album's riveting portrait of artists pushed - by the times, by themselves - to the very limits of their creativity has provided inspiration to every musical generation that has come along since Exile was released in 1972," said author Anthony DeCurtis. "Every song on Exile on Main Street is elevated by its relationship to the music that comes before and after it. The album's irresistible power is unlikely to diminish any time soon."

Exile on Main Street will be available in two CD formats: the original 18 track release; a deluxe CD edition with the 10 special bonus tracks; and a super deluxe package that also includes vinyl, a 30-minute documentary DVD with footage from Cocksucker Blues, Ladies and Gentlemen... the Rolling Stones and Stones in Exile, and a 50-page collector's book with photos from the Exile era. The 10 unreleased tracks were produced by Jimmy Miller, The Glimmer Twins and Don Was.

From the left — Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, Super Deluxe Edition, Vinyl Edition:

    

I wonder what they're up to since the original double album fits onto a single CD. Perhaps they are planning on tapping into the outtakes from that era, or maybe it will just be a DVD on the making of the album or a concert from that era. Whatever it ends up being, I sure hope it's not another missed opportunity.

It wouldn't surprise me to see the 2nd disc be a DVD of the discarded Stones movie "Ladies And Gentleman The Rolling Stones."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKsiRqDcHt0

At the very least, I'd love to see them append the contents of the Exile on Main St. Blues flexi, which was given away with copies of New Music Express just before the release of the album. It includes exclusive music that has never had another legit release. (I don't have an original copy.)



Two weeks before the release of Exile On Main Street, here were excerpts of four tracks (All Down The Line, Tumbling Dice, Shine A Light and Happy), linked by a track called Exile On Main Street Blues. This song is a slow piano boogie with Jagger singing a lyric that strings together a load of the titles of the album tracks.

It would be cool if somebody had a link to...er...streaming audio of this song...

Jamie, just a suggestion: You may want to put "Rolling Stones" in your thread title. It will come up if someone is searching the forums for "Rolling Stones." Just a thought.

Whoops! I'm still a "newbie" on this board, so I don't know the proper procedure quite yet.

I have the CBS disc of "Exile". The 2 LP on 1 CD is on the front. Is this worth anything??

There's no "proper procedure" on this board, Jamie. I just thought it would make your thread more identifiable and like I said, if someone does a search for "Rolling Stones," your post will come up.

This is IMWAN -- if you're following "proper procedure," you're on the wrong board!

Gents,

I took care of the thread title!

Jay

Thanks Jay, I still don't know how to do that.

Most Stones fans prefer the Virgin remasters. I don't think the CBS CD has much collector value.

I was listening to the CBS CD of Sticky Fingers (my favorite Stones album) a while back and thought the sound quality left a little to be desired. It wasn't bad, but it lacked oomph, or punch.

I contemplated getting the Virgin remaster, but I think I'll wait until the new remaster comes out and go with that.

As mentioned in the other thread, though, since all of the post-ABKCO CDs are technically OOP (until Universal's reissue campaign begins), some Amazon sellers are asking $100 or more for certain titles. But that's ridiculous.

This thread made me break out the Virgin Exile. What a fantabulous piece of work.
I know this is sacrilegious, as I know the low-fi is part of its junkie greatness, but here is an album that I always wondered how it would sound remixed (not instead of current mix, but in addition - a-la PJ's Ten)...just too pull some of its murkiness out.

If I recall correctly, it was recorded in Keith's basement. Anyway, I remember reading an interview where Keef said that they were a little self-conscious about the lo-fi sound of it. After it came out, someone asked him where they recorded it. Keef asked them why they wanted to know and they replied that they loved the sound they got and wanted to know where it was done. Something like that, anyway.

The majority of Exile was recorded in Keith's basement in France, but a good chunk of it was also recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in L.A. Some of it was also done at Mick's Stargroves mansion.

It's worth noting that several of the Exile tracks were outtakes from Sticky Fingers. In fact, "Loving Cup" was originally done for the Let It Bleed album. "Sweet Virginia," "All Down The Line," "Shine A Light," "Stop Breaking Down," and "Tumbling Dice" (originally titled "Good Time Women") were all done for Sticky Fingers.

One of the confusing things about the various Exile outtakes bootlegs that have emerged over the years is that they quite often contain a lot of material that wasn't recorded for that album. Commonly seen songs like "I'm Going Down," "Travellin' Man," and "Hillside Blues" all come from earlier recording sessions.

Keef said in an interview that when Virgin originally remastered Exile, it didn't sound right. They spent a great deal of time on it to get it to sound better than ever.

The basement...that's perfect. A brief background to my 'fantasy". My first exposure to Exile was the original cd pressing. Previously, my Stone's interest was mostly 60s...thru Sticky Fingers (which, along with Help!, was my first CD in 87). While I loved the songs on Exile, I felt something was "wrong" with the sound. Without the internet, I just did not know the history, so I assumed something wrong with the cd.
The Virgin remasters, were, at least for me, the first time I heard about remasters, and one of the reviews about them, mentioned how the Exile Remaster sounded as almost as good sonically as Sticky Fingers. I figured that meant they "cleaned it up". When I picked it up (my first remaster), I was disappointed. This was failings on my part (not knowing the diff between remaster and remixed).
And again, I am in no way saying there would be an improvement to the greatness of this album, but the part of me who loves production-focus albums, would still like to hear songs like Rip this Joint in a more in-your-face punch (a la Brown Sugar)...and Jagger's "underwater" vocals (can't recall the song).

But beyond that...what a great album. Certainly glad I pulled it out yesterday for the commute.

you are my new best friend, I though I had scoured the web pretty good, but this is a major score for me, thanks, you made my day!

You're welcome.
Someone tipped me off to that a short time ago, and I'm pleased to share.

I should mention that the demon has this in lossless format

I should clarify. The demon has "I gave you Diamonds you gave me Disease" in lossless format.