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Live Licks
Live Licks
Live Licks
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Live Licks
Live album by
the Rolling Stones
Released1 November 2004
Recorded4 November 2002
18 January 2003
11 July 2003
24 August 2003
GenreRock
Length109:19
LabelVirgin
ProducerDon Was, the Glimmer Twins
The Rolling Stones chronology
Forty Licks
(2004) 		Live Licks
(2004) 		A Bigger Bang
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[1]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[2]
Tom HullB+[3]

Live Licks is a 2004 double CD by the Rolling Stones, their ninth official live album.[1] Coming six years after No Security, it features performances from the 2002–2003 Licks Tour in support of the career-spanning, fortieth anniversary retrospective Forty Licks. The album includes "an entire side of songs never before recorded live",[4] and features only one song recorded after 1981's Tattoo You ("You Don't Have to Mean It" from Bridges to Babylon).

History

[edit]

The first CD contains "the familiar classics" while the second features "some covers, b-sides and album tracks from the more obscure end of their back catalogue".[5]

Sheryl Crow appears on "Honky Tonk Women", while Solomon Burke sings on his own "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love", which the Rolling Stones originally covered on The Rolling Stones No. 2 in 1965.

The Rolling Stones released two subtly different versions of cover art for Live Licks. While both feature a woman astride the Rolling Stones logo's tongue, in the British version she has no bikini top.[6]

Unlike all their previous live albums, Live Licks features virtually none of the band's recent compositions, and includes only one track which was released in the preceding two decades. In all there are nine songs from the 1960s, eight from the 1970s, three from the 1980s (all from Tattoo You), one from the 1997 release Bridges to Babylon, and two previously unreleased covers.

Reception

[edit]

Live Licks peaked at No. 38 in the UK Albums Chart,[7] and No. 50 in the US,[8] becoming a gold record on 9 December 2004, according to the RIAA.[ʌ3]

The BBC suggested that "even for cynics it demonstrates how potent they remain as a live act, despite not frightening the horses as much these days".[9] It concluded that, "[like] Bowie, the Stones may no longer be churning out hits but they still know how to mount a spectacle, as this release amply proves."

David Fricke wrote that "Live Licks is the Stones' first live album since Ya-Ya’s to earn a spot next to my best soundboard and broadcast boots. One good reason: a bright, hard mix that nails the Stones' matured vigor onstage".[10]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted.

Disc one
No.TitleLength
1."Brown Sugar"3:50
2."Street Fighting Man"3:43
3."Paint It Black"3:45
4."You Can't Always Get What You Want"6:46
5."Start Me Up"4:02
6."It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)"4:54
7."Angie"3:29
8."Honky Tonk Women" (with Sheryl Crow)3:24
9."Happy"3:38
10."Gimme Shelter"6:50
11."(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"4:55
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Neighbours" 3:41
2."Monkey Man" 3:41
3."Rocks Off" 3:42
4."Can't You Hear Me Knocking" 10:02
5."That's How Strong My Love Is"Roosevelt Jamison4:45
6."The Nearness of You"
4:34
7."Beast of Burden" 4:09
8."When the Whip Comes Down" 4:28
9."Rock Me Baby"
3:50
10."You Don't Have to Mean It" 4:35
11."Worried About You" 6:01
12."Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" (with Solomon Burke)
6:35
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."If You Can't Rock Me"2:48

Personnel

[edit]

The Rolling Stones

  • Mick Jagger – lead vocals, harmonica, guitar on "When the Whip Comes Down", percussion on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", keyboards on "Worried About You"
  • Keith Richards – guitars, backing vocals on "Honky Tonk Women", lead vocals on "Happy", "The Nearness of You" and "You Don't Have to Mean It"
  • Ron Wood – guitars, piano on "You Don't Have To Mean It"[11]
  • Charlie Watts – drums

Additional musicians

  • Darryl Jones – bass guitar
  • Chuck Leavell – keyboards, backing vocals[12]
  • Bernard Fowler – backing vocals, percussion, keyboards on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"
  • Lisa Fischer – backing vocals, percussion on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", and “Gimme Shelter”
  • Blondie Chaplin – backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", electric guitar on "You Don't Have To Mean It"
  • Bobby Keys – saxophone
  • Andy Snitzer – saxophone, keyboards
  • Michael Davis – trombone
  • Kent Smith – trumpet[11]

Special guest musicians

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Live Licks
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[13] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[14] 47
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[15] 49
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[16] 19
French Albums (SNEP)[17] 38
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18] 9
Italian Albums (FIMI)[19] 34
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] 19
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[21] 38
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[22] 27
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[23] 43
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 16
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 21
UK Albums (OCC)[26] 38
US Billboard 200[27] 50

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Live Licks
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[28] Gold 20,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[29] Gold 15,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[30] Gold 40,000^
Portugal (AFP)[31] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Gold 100,000*
United States (RIAA)[33] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Live Licks

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Live Licks is a double live album by the English rock band , released on 1 November 2004. It serves as their ninth official live album and compiles 23 tracks recorded during the band's 2002–2003 , a worldwide concert series celebrating the group's 40th anniversary. The , spanning from September 2002 to November 2003, encompassed 117 performances across , , , , and other regions, drawing massive crowds to stadiums, arenas, and theaters. Notable guest appearances during the tour included singer on "Honky Tonk Women" and soul artist on "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," both of which are featured on the album. The recordings capture the band's high-energy renditions of their extensive catalog, blending classic hits from the 1960s and 1970s with selections from later works. Live Licks was released by and produced by the band alongside longtime collaborator , highlighting their enduring stage presence and musical versatility after more than four decades in the industry. The album received attention for its comprehensive overview of the Stones' live prowess, with tracks like "Brown Sugar," "Street Fighting Man," and "Paint It Black" exemplifying their rock 'n' roll roots. It marked a significant release following the 2002 compilation , further solidifying the band's legacy in live performance documentation.

Background

Licks World Tour

The Licks World Tour was a global concert series by , launched to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary and promote their Forty Licks. Announced on May 7, 2002, with the initial 32 North American dates revealed, the tour commenced on September 3, 2002, at the FleetCenter in , , and concluded on November 9, 2003, at the Tamar Festival Site in , . Spanning 117 shows across , , , and , it marked a return to varied venue sizes, including stadiums, arenas, and intimate theaters, allowing to connect with diverse audiences during their milestone year. The tour's production was notably elaborate, featuring innovative stage elements tailored to different venue scales. In stadium settings, eight massive Barco LED video screens—each 46 feet tall and 52 feet wide—could reconfigure from a single large backdrop to individual columns, enhancing visuals with live camera feeds and pre-recorded content. punctuated the encore of "," while a 200-foot-wide Jeff Koons-designed backdrop and gas-fueled fire effects shaped like the band's iconic tongue logo added theatrical flair. Arena configurations included a 55,000-pound LED videowall with motorized lighting pods, supported by extensive rigs, all transported via 60 trucks and managed by a 125-member crew. These elements underscored the tour's high-energy spectacle, drawing over 3.4 million attendees. Financially, the Licks World Tour grossed over $300 million, ranking as the second-highest-grossing tour of its time, behind only the band's own of 1994–1995. Guest artists like , who opened several North American dates and joined for performances of "," contributed to memorable moments, particularly during the multi-night stand at in , where shows in September 2002 and January 2003 captured raw energy for later releases. The tour's recordings provided the primary source material for the Live Licks album, highlighting the band's enduring live prowess.

Album conception

Following the success of their , which peaked at No. 2 on the chart and sold over 2.4 million copies in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan as of January 2005, decided to release a live album to capture the vibrant energy of their ongoing world tour. This marked the band's first full-length live release in six years since in 1998, addressing the gap by documenting their renewed stage presence in the . The project was overseen by and , who guided the selection of tracks to showcase a broad representation of the band's catalog, incorporating , deeper album cuts, and select covers performed during the tour. Initial concepts for the live recording emerged during tour rehearsals in 2002, aligning with preparations for the Licks World Tour that supported the anniversary compilation. Strategically positioned as a memento of the tour, which grossed $311 million across 117 shows attended by 3.4 million fans, Live Licks was announced in mid-2004 to leverage the lingering momentum from the 2002–2003 performances. The album adopted a unique double-disc format, with the first disc emphasizing high-energy rock staples and the second exploring bluesier, less frequently played numbers, allowing for a more comprehensive portrayal than a single-disc would permit.

Recording and production

Source material selection

The production team reviewed multi-track recordings from over 20 dates on the Licks World Tour, prioritizing performances from iconic venues such as in and in for their superior audio quality and electric crowd energy. This selection process ensured a representative snapshot of the band's live prowess during the 117-show trek. Selection criteria emphasized a balance of eras in the ' catalog, juxtaposing 1960s classics like "" with 1970s deep cuts such as "," while incorporating rarities like "Monkey Man" and covers such as "" (with ) to highlight the tour's adventurous setlists. Guest appearances were deliberately integrated to capture collaborative highlights, including on "" from in New York on January 18, 2003, and on "" from the Wiltern Theatre in on October 31, 2002. Challenges arose in maintaining sonic consistency across diverse venue acoustics, as performances varied in reverberation and environmental noise; initial rough cuts were assembled by the tour's sound engineers in early 2003 to identify promising takes before further refinement.

Post-production process

Following the selection of source material from various tour dates, the post-production for Live Licks involved compiling and refining 23 tracks across two discs to capture the essence of ' 2002–2003 Licks World Tour performances. The album was co-produced by the band—credited as The Glimmer Twins, , and —alongside , who oversaw the overall assembly to maintain the spontaneity of the live shows. Mixing duties were led by engineer , assisted by Kevin Horn, with a focus on achieving clarity while preserving the raw, energetic feel of the concerts through minimal alterations to the original recordings. Tracks were edited by splicing the best segments from multiple nights and venues—for instance, "Brown Sugar" and "Street Fighting Man" from in , while others like "Slipping Away" came from the Madison Square Garden shows in New York—creating a cohesive flow without extensive overdubs. Subtle enhancements, such as balanced levels for vocals and guitars, were applied to evoke the stadium atmosphere, ensuring the mix highlighted Jagger's dynamic delivery and Richards' guitar work. Mastering was handled by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering, finalizing the double-disc set in 2004 ahead of its November release. This process prioritized the unpolished vitality of the performances, avoiding heavy post-processing to retain the tour's authentic intensity.

Release

Commercial launch

Live Licks was released as a double CD set on November 1, 2004, in the United Kingdom by Virgin Records. In the United States, the album launched on November 2, 2004, also through Virgin Records. The timing of the commercial launch followed the band's Licks World Tour, which concluded in November 2003, allowing the album to serve as a documented keepsake of the performances captured during that extensive run. The distribution strategy emphasized a coordinated global rollout managed by in partnership with , ensuring availability across key international markets shortly after the initial and dates. This approach capitalized on the band's enduring popularity, with the double CD format designed to showcase a broad selection of live tracks from the tour. Digital download options became available soon after the physical release via platforms like , marking an early adoption of emerging digital music distribution for the Stones' catalog.

Formats and packaging

Live Licks was primarily released as a double CD set housed in a slim jewel case with a clear, double-sided tray and a 16-page booklet featuring tour photographs, , track listings, and credits. The artwork includes an uncensored illustration by Murray John, depicting a stylized version of the band's iconic tongue logo integrated with live stage elements, while some regional editions featured a censored to comply with local standards. were provided by Cheryl Ceretti, offering insights into the performances captured during the 2002–2003 Licks World Tour. Subsequent editions expanded accessibility and collectibility. A digitally remastered version appeared in 2009, available on and digital platforms, enhancing audio quality for modern playback. In 2012, a Japanese utilized SHM-CD technology in a sleeve format, appealing to audiophiles and international collectors with its high-fidelity replication and replica packaging. Early pressings were copy-protected, a common anti-piracy measure at the time, though this feature was absent in later remasters. No official vinyl edition was produced, though unofficial 3xLP bootlegs circulated among fans. These variants underscore the album's enduring appeal as a tangible of the band's high-energy tour visuals and performances.

Commercial performance

Chart achievements

Live Licks debuted at No. 50 on the US chart in November 2004, selling 20,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan data reported by . The album spent a total of 2 weeks on the chart, reflecting sustained interest amid the band's ongoing popularity. In the , Live Licks entered the Official Albums Chart at No. 38 upon its release in November 2004. The album demonstrated notable longevity, re-entering the chart in 2005. Internationally, the album achieved strong placements across and , peaking at No. 9 on the German Albums Chart, No. 13 in , and No. 38 in . In , it reached No. 19 on the . These positions were bolstered by residual excitement from the preceding Licks World Tour (2002–2003), though the album faced stiff competition from high-profile 2004 releases, such as U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which dominated charts later that November.

Sales figures and certifications

Live Licks has sold in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States, earning a certification from the (RIAA) on December 9, 2004. The album also received a certification in the from the (BPI) in 2004, denoting shipments of 100,000 units. Post-release sales remained steady, supported by the band's enduring catalog appeal and cross-promotion during the 2005–2006 , which helped sustain interest in their live recordings amid the emerging digital era. In comparison to the preceding compilation Forty Licks, which surpassed 4 million worldwide , Live Licks underperformed but represented a respectable outcome for a live album release.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in November 2004, Live Licks received generally favorable reviews from critics, who appreciated the album's documentation of ' enduring live prowess despite the band members being in their sixties. The collection was lauded for balancing familiar hits with rarer selections, showcasing the group's stamina and musical chemistry during the 2002–2003 . highlighted its "bright, hard mix that nails the Stones' matured vigor onstage, even in the warhorses packed on Disc One." AllMusic gave Live Licks 3.5 out of five stars, commending strong live renditions of tracks like "(Get Your Wings Out and) Slipping Away" and "Stray Cat Blues," which demonstrated the Stones' ability to infuse newer and obscure songs with infectious energy. The outlet noted the second disc's focus on deeper cuts as a highlight, providing a more adventurous contrast to the hits-dominated first disc. A BBC review noted tight and energetic performances of classics like "Street Fighting Man" and "Paint It, Black," though some tracks showed self-censorship and editing issues. Uncut rated the album two out of five stars, criticizing perfunctory versions of songs from later albums while praising first-time live recordings like "." Common themes across reviews included admiration for the Rolling Stones' remarkable stamina at ages over 60, with the album serving as a testament to their timeless appeal in a live setting.

Retrospective evaluations

In later years, Live Licks has been assessed as a solid but non-essential entry in ' extensive catalog of live recordings. Modern critiques have highlighted the album's enduring strengths in production and track selection. A 2024 review in Tinnitist described the 23-track set as featuring "cracking" performances with vibrant production that sharply delineates ' and Ron Wood's guitar work, while appreciating rarities such as covers of "Monkey Man" and George Harrison's "" for adding unexpected depth to the setlist. The album retains value as a faithful snapshot of the band's 2002–2003 tour vigor. A major physical followed in 2024 with Live at the Wiltern, an archival from the featuring rare songs and praised for its excitement. The album's cultural relevance persists through its integration into discussions of ' live legacy.

Content

Track listing

Live Licks is a double live album containing 23 tracks drawn from performances during the Rolling Stones' 2002–2003 Licks Tour. All tracks are written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards unless otherwise noted. The standard edition includes no bonus tracks, with a total runtime of 109:27.

Disc one

No.TitleWriter(s)LengthNotes
1."Brown Sugar"Jagger–Richards3:50Recorded at Twickenham Stadium, London, 2003
2."Street Fighting Man"Jagger–Richards3:43Recorded at Twickenham Stadium, London, 2003
3."Paint It, Black"Jagger–Richards3:45Recorded at Twickenham Stadium, London, 2003
4."You Can't Always Get What You Want"Jagger–Richards6:46Recorded at Twickenham Stadium, London, 2003
5."Start Me Up"Jagger–Richards4:02Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
6."It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)"Jagger–Richards4:54Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
7."Angie"Jagger–Richards3:29Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
8."Honky Tonk Women"Jagger–Richards3:24Featuring Sheryl Crow; recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
9."Happy"Jagger–Richards3:37Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
10."Gimme Shelter"Jagger–Richards6:50Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
11."(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"Jagger–Richards4:55Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003

Disc two

No.TitleWriter(s)LengthNotes
1."Neighbours"Jagger–Richards3:41Recorded at Olympia, Paris, 2003
2."Monkey Man"Jagger–Richards3:41Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
3."Rocks Off"Jagger–Richards3:42Recorded at Twickenham Stadium, London, 2003
4."Can't You Hear Me Knocking"Jagger–Richards10:02Recorded at Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 2002
5."That's How Strong My Love Is"Cooke4:44Recorded at Olympia, Paris, 2003
6."The Nearness of You"Carmichael, Washington4:34Recorded at Olympia, Paris, 2003
7."Beast of Burden"Jagger–Richards4:08Recorded at Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 2002
8."When the Whip Comes Down"Jagger–Richards4:28Recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York, 2003
9."Rock Me, Baby"King, Josea3:50Recorded at Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 2002
10."You Don't Have to Mean It"Jagger–Richards4:34Recorded at Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 2002
11."Worried About You"Jagger–Richards6:00Recorded at Olympia, Paris, 2003
12."Everybody Needs Somebody to Love"Dixon6:36Featuring Solomon Burke; recorded at Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 2002

Personnel

The core lineup for the recordings on Live Licks featured on lead vocals and harmonica, on guitar and vocals, on drums, Ron Wood on guitar and backing vocals, and on . Additional touring musicians included on keyboards, and on backing vocals, and on backing vocals. Horns and percussion were provided by regulars such as on (on select tracks including "" and "") and on and keyboards. Guest vocalists appeared on specific tracks: provided vocals on "" (recorded at , New York, 2003), while duetted on "" (recorded at Wiltern Theatre, , 2002). The album was co-produced by , (credited as the Glimmer Twins), and . Mixing was handled by , with live recording engineered by a team including Ed Cherney, Jim Scott, David Hewitt, Paul Hamann, and Peter Brandt (assisted by Mike Butler). Post-production engineering was overseen by Gary Myerberg and Jason Gossman, digital editing by Stewart Whitmore, and mastering by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering.

References

  1. https://www.last.fm/music/The%2BRolling%2BStones/Live%2BLicks
  2. https://www.amazon.com/Live-Licks-Rolling-Stones/dp/B002OT731O
  3. https://ronniewood.com/music/live-licks/
  4. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/stones-ready-live-licks-66262/
  5. https://variety.com/2002/music/news/gimme-tix-stones-roll-out-tour-dates-1117866594/
  6. https://www.keno.org/rolling_stones/40_lick_tour.htm
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  8. https://therollingstonesshop.com/products/licked-live-in-nyc-2cd
  9. https://www.livedesignonline.com/three-ring-circus
  10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3244294.stm
  11. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/stones-lick-up-300-million-in-milestone-tour-68002/
  12. https://www.discogs.com/release/14921961-The-Rolling-Stones-With-Special-Guests-Live
  13. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-rolling-stones/2002/madison-square-garden-new-york-ny-7bd6a2ec.html
  14. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/abkco-gets-satisfaction-with-40-licks-1420843/
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  16. https://iorr.org/2004/livelicks.htm
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  18. https://www.aol.com/28-highest-grossing-concert-tours-185033802.html
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  20. https://iorr.org/talk/read.php?1,170249
  21. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-licks-the-rolling-stones-on-tour-2002-2003-by-doug-collette
  22. https://genius.com/albums/The-rolling-stones/Live-licks
  23. https://www.discogs.com/release/462632-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  24. https://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=10969
  25. https://www.discogs.com/release/14509240-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  26. https://www.discogs.com/master/52993-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  27. https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-licks-mw0000139531
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/15939410-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/2086323-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/7163436-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  31. https://www.discogs.com/release/5240371-Rolling-Stones-Live-Licks
  32. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/now-time-for-another-chart-topper-1425258/
  33. https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-rolling-stones/chart-history/tsl/
  34. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20041107/7502/
  35. https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-4224
  36. http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Rolling+Stones&titel=Live+Licks&cat=a
  37. https://acharts.co/france_albums_top_150/2004/45
  38. http://tsort.info/music/kc4b0v.htm
  39. https://music.fandom.com/wiki/Live_Licks:The_Rolling_Stones
  40. https://www.accio.com/business/top-selling-rolling-stones-albums
  41. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/live-licks-189817/
  42. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/v49x/
  43. https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/the-rolling-stones-live-licks-11259/
  44. https://tinnitist.com/2024/11/05/classic-album-review-rolling-stones-live-licks/
  45. https://www.goldminemag.com/columns/spin-cycle/more-live-licks-from-the-rolling-stones-is-more-special/
  46. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-rolling-stones/live-licks/
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