A near two-hour setlist from The Cockroaches, or rather, The Rolling Stones, is a massive treat. Pilfering the archives for live sets and showcases from the band not released at the time of recording is a treasure trove. The Mick Jagger-fronted group were prolific on stage, but the official releases hardly shine a light on their qualities as a live unit. El Mocambo 1977 is different. Here is a greatest hits selection from the band at a time when their stock was starting to slowly, but surely, drop. A shame, too, since the albums they were releasing in the lead-up to these shows are among the band’s very best even now. But Black and Blue needed a shot in the arm and was a sign of decline within the band. Their blues-rock fundamentals were starting to drag, and Jagger would take the band in a direction which would serve as a temporary death knell. El Mocambo 1977 avoids all that feeling. Here is The Rolling Stones at their best, enjoying the thrills of the stage as much as their audience.
Lyrically, we know what we’re getting ourselves into. Jagger is in wild form for El Mocambo 1977 and sounds as strong here as he does in the studio. It’s been a constant draw for The Rolling Stones. Even on the band’s Hackney Diamonds tour, Jagger sounded fantastic. He hasn’t lost a step. One of the few to push on through and preserve his vocals as though it were a guarantee that he would always have this range. It makes early tracks like Honky Tonk Woman and All Down the Line an impressive spectacle. That’s without considering the volatile instrumental thrills, the hearty display from Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood’s guitar work. Charlie Watts plays his hand too, a solid hand behind the drumkit is what The Rolling Stones have always depended on. It means the wilder Jagger and Richards moments are held together that much better. Fool to Cry here is an essential. Nothing less than utter perfection. A groovy, spirited performance of a classic.
El Mocambo 1977 has plenty of those within. Swaggering, bluesy thrills is what this album offers up best of all. Covers and cool ones at that. A Muddy Waters cover, Mannish Boy, is the standout here. Instrumentally creative moments are plentiful on this live performance, El Mocambo 1977 is a rare gem that captures not just The Rolling Stones high bar for performing, but what makes their shows such a spectacle. Between Jagger constantly saying he wants to stroke, dance, or feel the audience, there’s also some music. Great instrumental work, catchy riffs and welcome hooks which keep the energy high and the feeling of building towards at-the-time contemporary material in check. El Mocambo 1977 is a consistent piece of work, better than the rest of the band’s live material from the time, that’s for certain. Songs like Hot Stuff are nothing short of riotous.
Capturing that energy has often been slightly out of grasp for The Rolling Stones. Not because they don’t have it, but because finding that blend of the band at their best and with a setlist that can back such quality is hard. Here it is. A hits-heavy second half is just what The Rolling Stones is built for, the likes of It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It) and Brown Sugar nothing short of perfect here. Essential listens both, not just because of how well they’re received by the crowd here, but because it highlights that instrumental quality and finer blur of Jagger’s vocal abilities. Those are strengths he still holds onto now. If anything, El Mocambo 1977 is the best advertisement you could ask for when it comes to answering how the band sounds live. They’re not far off this high bar, and often returned to this level of quality on the tours to follow.
