Song of the Day: Let's Drink to the "Salt of the Earth"
The Stones get a vinyl re-issue, plus versions by Lucinda Williams and Bettye LaVette plus related from John Lennon and the Kinks.
Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books and now writer/director of award-winning films. He was also a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy.
Received a notice from a fine publicist and human being I’ve known for almost half a century (going back to Crawdaddy years), Bob Merlis. It seems that there is an upcoming major re-issue of the Stones’ classic Beggars Banquet for the annual Record Store Day on April 22. And with this modern twist: the vinyl will arrive with colors directly from the lyric “a swirling mass of grey and black and white” in tribute to the song therein, “Salt of the Earth.” Frankly, I have not thought of that song in years despite all my political leanings and some of my writing, which even includes some references to the movie of that name.
Anyway, it seems like a good excuse to post a few versions of that song from a varied group, plus in a similar vein commentary by John Lennon and Ray Davies. Also below, the usual political cartooning. Enjoy, then subscribe, it’s still free with no need to pledge any future amount….
Start with the Stones with live (vocals) from the “Circus” video from 1968, including Keith singing! You can make out at end the pre-recorded (from album) piano of Nicky Hopkins plus gospel choir, used to better effect the following year on “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The Stones seem to have rarely performed the song live on stage—in any event, very little evidence of that up on YouTube.
Now the great Bettye LaVette. There are actually very few covers of this song.
Lucinda Williams, two years ago in Covid lockdown.
In contrast, an alt-take of Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” two years later.
And another alt-take, “Uncle Son,” from the greatest post-60s Kinks album in 1971.
Cartoons of the Day
