Exile On Main Street Blues: Masterpiece Making on the French Riviera (Part I)

Villa Nellcôte's epic exterior:

Keith and Spanish Tony (who, in this pic, looks a lot like Ronnie Wood):

Spanish Tony's girlfriend Madeline in front of Nellcôte:

Madame Anita:

Luxuriating in the sun:

Tony, Keith, Marlon, Madeline and Anita:

Keith and Spanish Tony:

Champagne by the pool:

Mick Taylor, his wife Rose, and their little baby Chloe:

Marshall Chess relaxing:

The Stones' mobile recording studio:

Bianca outside the house chatting with the boys (what you'd think would be an uncharacteristic move):

Keith and Anita enjoying a rare moment of peace and romance on Nellcote's epic terrace:

Family drive:

Lady Madeline on top of Keith's car:

Keith taking the kids for a swim:

Spanish Tony and Keith down by the harbor:

Mick and Jake Weber goofing off:

Keith, Marlon and Anita:

Anita (far left, not really visible), Madeline, Marlon and Keith at the harbor:

I think that's Anita with the white towel over her head:

to be continued...

I have wanted to do a post on the Stones' epic stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer ever since Exile got released and fancied up on May 18.  I bought the super-deluxe package that included the 64 page photobook, the vinyl, the DVD, etc, and, while nice, it was hardly worth $130.  The photobook was the most exciting prospect for me (as I have Exile on CD and vinyl already, plus all the original postcards, and had heard the best of the bonus tracks - the slowed down, yearning version of "Loving Cup" long ago on my Let It Bleed mono album).  However, the book was a big disappointment, since I wanted it mainly for Anita pics.  However, I got my Exile DVD yesterday (a different documentary from the short one that's included in the deluxe package) and was able to capture some Anita stills.  Most of you Stones fans are familiar with the folklore surrounding the creation of Exile On Main St and the tax exile that led the Stones and their women, children and hangers-on to move to France in early 1971, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves.  PS, I'll do post 2 tomorrow, as I have a bunch more pics to include.  Hope you enjoy!!

(ALL PHOTOS = MY SCANS and Screen Caps.  Photos courtesy mostly of Dominique Tarlé, but some are from Michael Cooper, Spanish Tony Sanchez and Jean-Marie Moreau.