The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger (vocals, harmonica); Keith Richards (guitar, background vocals); Mick Taylor (guitar); Bill Wyman (bass); Charlie Watts (drums).

Additional personnel includes: Ian Stewart (piano).

Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York on November 27-28, 1969.

Additional personnel: Ian Stewart (piano).

Audio Remasterers: Steve Rosenthal; Teri Landi.

Recording information: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York (11/27/1969 - 11/28/1969).

Returning to the American concert scene after a three-year layoff, the Rolling Stones recorded GET YER YA-YA'S OUT! during a triumphant two-date stand at Madison Square Garden in late November 1969 that found B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner opening for them. Having amassed an impressive recorded output during their three years away from touring, the Stones peppered their sets with hits, including "Honky Tonk Women," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "Street Fighting Man." Tipping their collective hats to Chuck Berry, the band also included covers of "Carol" and "Little Queenie" alongside more blues-influenced numbers such as "Stray Cat Blues" and "Love In Vain."

Having been a member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, new guitarist Mick Taylor parlayed his experience into some impressive slide guitar work. The piŠce-de-resistance of what is arguably the best live Rolling Stones recording is the eight-minute-plus reading of "Midnight Rambler." Between Mick Jagger's unearthly harmonica playing and the tight interplay between Taylor and Keith Richards, the sinister vibe emanating from this song was eerie, foreshadowing the tragedy that would occur at Altamont less than two weeks later. Observant fans will catch the cover's subtle visual reference to a certain lyric from Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" from BLONDE ON BLONDE.

Rolling Stone (11/12/70, p.32) - "...More than just the soundtrack for a Rolling Stones concert, it's a truly inspired session, as intimate an experience as sitting in while the Stones jam for sheer joy in the basement..."

Entertainment Weekly (9/20/02, p.104) - "...The monololithic YA-YA's is a keeper; 'Midnight Rambler' spooks both us and the band..." - Rating: B

NME (Magazine) (7/8/95, p.46) - 7 (out of 10) - "...captures the dirty essence of the Stones in concert. You can almost hear the sweat streaking along fretboards..."