Surprisingly good

I'm old enough to remember when this came out. I didn't like it back then; I heard it as a betrayal of their earlier style. I'm still not crazy about Hot Stuff, but I now find that it plays very well as a total album. None of their signature songs are here, but there's a lot of great guitar, and Keith Richards singing on Memory Motel alone makes it worth having. It is what it is: a transitional album with a lot of jams. The Stones don't appear to be taking themselves too seriously here, but the album has an enjoyable, distinct vibe that's sustained. I like it.

The Last of the "Junkie Music" Trilogy

Keith Richards once referred to the period between Goats Head Soup and Black & Blue as "junkie music". I am inclined to agree with him. As with Goats Head Soup and It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, there are some good moments on Black & Blue. These good moments include Hand of Fate, Hey Negrita, Crazy Mama, Cherry Oh Baby. I'm not sure about Memory Motel. I don't hate it, but it just doesn't do much for me. Fool To Cry? Please. Complete utter dreck. Granted, at the time this album was made the Stones were without a permanent replacement for Mick Taylor, who bolted after It's Only Rock 'n' Roll. That doesn't excuse the poor excuses for songs contained on this disc. Yeah, I know I couldn't do any better (far from it), but I expect better from guys who do this for a living.

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

The arrival of Ron Wood as the new guy on the guitar changed the swing of the band, now trying to improvise into new tendencies of modern music ("Hot Stuff", "Hey Negrita"). There is a bunch of new great songs, such as "Hand of Fate" (which is my favorite) and "Crazy Mama", for instance. Only for the feeling of "Memory Motel" and "Fool to Cry" this album is worthwhile buying! Even reggae acolytes will have their turn-on minutes with "Cherry Oh Baby". This album is too much, it's even recommended to non-Stones fans. Maybe one of their best ever!!!