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Stuart Ferguson's Collection

Rolling Stones   09/16/2002

Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
Source Audience
Media CDR   2 discs
Notes DVD 931; lineage: Audience recording. "Going to Chicago" CD 5 & 6 [VGP 321]
J-Card Comment This torrent was posted to IORR by "Keesie" and reposted to HC last month by "after8"; thought it might be worth a spin through DIME since I have a sentimental connection to this series of shows. The Stones played three different Chicago venues in mid-September 2002 promoting their "40 Licks" compilation -- the United Center on September 10 (which featured a pretty standard arena set of standards mixed with some notable obscurities like "Stray Cat Blues," "Far Away Eyes," and "I Can't Turn You Loose"), a show at Comiskey Park which featured the full stadium production and a greatest-hits set, and concluding with a mind-blowing, stripped-down set at the small Aragon Ballroom which featured a mind-blowing assortment of rarities, guest appearances, and a killer performance that (IMO) is one of the best Stones shows since the 1970s. This set documents the three diverse performances with audience recordings that range from good to very good. I don't know whether any of the three recordings included represent the "definitive" recording of a particular night, but all are at minimum solid, listenable captures.

The third show of this set, from Aragon Ballroom, is the best-sounding of the three recordings and by far the best performance. There have been two versions of this posted previously (CSB and Schoeps DAT recordings, as well as a "Mickboy Remaster" of the latter); this may be an equalized version of the Schoeps version. Either way, the high end and vocals are better-represented on this source than the other two, and altogether it's a great mix with minimal crowd interference. This show is highly recommended for casual and hardcore Stones fans alike, and in itself worth downloading the entire set. One of the top five shows I've ever seen in my 25+ years of attending concerts, and my personal favorite Stones show of all time.
Trades Allowed Yes
Reference / Generation 931
Owned by Stuart Ferguson · Last Updated May 23, 2023