Guns N' Roses - Mr. Brownstone

This is a performance by hard rock 80's band Guns N' Roses, the good line-up with Slash still playing the lead parts. The song appears on the legendary 1987 album "Appetite for Destruction".
The song was written by Izzy Stradlin and Slash, they were complaining about being heroin addicts, and started writing down lyrics on the back of a grocery bag. They brought the lyrics to Axl, and they decided to record the song. The lyrics are clearly about addiction and heroin, as Brownstone is slang for heroin, much the way Mary Jane means Marijuana.
"Mr. Brownstone" was the first UK single released by the just signed band. It was released as a double A-side along the song "It's So Easy".
The song explores what in the rock world is known as "The Bo-Diddley beat". It was a beat first used by guitarist Bo-Diddley, therefore it is named after him. It has been used by many bands though times, and was especially popularized in the 60's by bands like The Rolling Stones etc. This gives the song that Rolling Stones kind of feel. GNR are influenced heavily by 60's bands and especially The Rolling Stones, and in a song like this you can really hear it.
It's a great song with a nice long guitar introduction leading into the riff, with a sweet solo, and sweet rhythm thanks to Bo-Diddley and Matt Sorum. A great performance, of a great song.

Enjoy ; )

Keith Richards - Dead Flowers

This is a solo performance from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. He performs the classic Stones song "Dead Flowers" at what looks like some country award show or something, sorry haven't looked more into it.
The song "Dead Flowers" appeared on The Rolling Stones album "Sticky Fingers" from 1971. The song was written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger and it's about the time that the Stones start experimenting with a country influence. They have said in interviews that they love country for it's stories and nice melodies. This song has a story, but a darker subject matter than your average country tune, it's about heroin use and the loosing one's love and being angry. However it's somehow uplifting, if you look purely to the musical side of things, it's up beat, it doesn't have a sad melody, but the lyrics are very dark.
They have experimented with country through out their career surpassing the 1970's, and have also done songs like "Far Away Eyes" that's probably the most country inspired song of them all.
Mick has said in an interview that he feels that the country songs are a little odd for his voice. He feels that he is a blues singer, and therefore feels that the country material suits Keith's voice better. So this is just that, Keith Richards singing this delightfully odd country inspired song. A lovely performance.

Enjoy ; )