Rolling Stones deliver another masterful Pittsburgh performance

PITTSBURGH — Their previous Pittsburgh performances in six different decades by all accounts achieved greatness, so why would decade number seven bring anything different?

Indeed, the Rolling Stones' return to Heinz Field on Monday found the long-touted World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band doing what it's always done; performing at an exceptional level, and with enthusiasm, drawing from a song catalog as classic as it gets. 

Mick Jagger never stopped moving and nailed the vocals — even the super-high "oh pleeease" that follows the "only seems to make matters worse" part of "19th Nervous Breakdown."

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood conjured guitar-blistering brilliance; hitting the homestretch hard with gut-grabbing riffs powering "Midnight Rambler," "Paint It Black," "Sympathy for The Devil" and the pre-encore's "Jumpin' Jack Flash."

Bassist-since-1994 Darryl Jones kept the beat funky, and was the undeniable standout presence on "Miss You."  

The Stones surround themselves with skilled sidemen and women, like Karl Denson, whose saxophone blasts energized "Tumbling Dice," not-so-secret weapon Chuck Leavell with lovely piano-sounding organ on "Angie," and Sasha Allen whose voice slayed on the murderous part of "Gimme Shelter."

Of course, the comrade who wasn't there was on everyone's mind. 

The Stones' two-hour-10-minute performance began with their enormous video screens showing the late-Charlie Watts drumming throughout the eras. Several songs into the set, Jagger took a moment to say it's still emotional seeing that footage of his bandmate of 59 years (who passed away Aug. 24 at the age of 80.) Richards leaned a right elbow of support on the shoulder of the slightly choked-up Jagger, as Wood flanked the singer's other side, while some in the crowd began a "Charlie ... Charlie..." chant.

Jagger later introduced new drummer Steve Jordan as a longtime member of The Rolling Stones "family," including his percussion work with Richards' side project, The X-Pensive Winos. Jordan sounded rather good Monday, not straying too far from Watts' original sound, adding a few minor flourishes, like a dramatic cymbal shimmer near the end of "Angie."

It was the Rolling Stones' first Pittsburgh appearance since June 20, 2015, and Jagger took delight in referencing his surroundings, saying hello to "Pittsburghers," assuring them they cheer louder than the Cleveland crowd, and noting the band's time here is so short, he couldn't break away to visit the Andy Warhol Museum to gaze at paintings of himself. He tried to emulate the Yinzer dialect, mentioning eating a "sammich" at Primanti's. He said he washed it down with a "Steel Curtain," though maybe he meant an Iron City.

The video screens showed a concert poster from the Rolling Stones' first Pittsburgh area show, at West View Park, in 1964. "How many of you were there?" Jagger asked. "Well, thank you for coming back to see us."

High on the list of reasons fans return for each tour is the chance to witness the legendary Richards and equally masterful Wood seamlessly sharing leads while fiercely playing their guitars. 

Sporting a leopard-print jacket and yellow ski cap pulled behind his ears, Richards also got to sing a few songs, as tradition dictates. "Before They Make Me Run" was fun, though "Slipping Away" dragged, the only instance of that in the setlist.

For just the second time, the Rolling Stones played live "Troubles A' Comin," a slinky, guitar-grinding cover of a Chi-Lites song. The Stones' studio version will be among nine unreleased tracks composing "Lost & Found," a bonus disc of newly completed songs and rarities for the 40th anniversary reissue of the band's "Tattoo You" album, coming out Oct. 22.  The Pittsburgh crowd responded well to "Troubles A'Comin"; ditto the Stones' pandemic-penned "Living in a Ghost Town," with Jagger pantomiming ghostly gestures.

The singer busted out his classic stage moves — wiggles, dances, point-and-poses, peacocking struts and a few theatrical bows for the audience. For one brief second he sat on the drum riser as if he was finally tired, but nope that was a psych out, as the 78-year-old sprung back up and continued his perpetual motion.  

Jagger went through several different jackets; silver, black and one as cherry red as the soda in "You Can't Always Get What You Want," arguably the night's most entertaining song featuring a crowd singalong, and a few unexpected tempo accelerations with lightning fast organ and mighty drumming. 

The obvious and iconic show-closer "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" had fans dancing and singing along blissfully before fireworks lit up the sky.

So chalk up another great Stones show in Pittsburgh in yet another decade.

The night's opening act, Pittsburgh's own Ghost Hounds, put people in a party mood with their rocking set of originals from their new "A Little Calamity" album and a sizzling cover of Cliff Richard's "Devil Woman". Ghost Hounds' dynamic singer Tre Nation effectively worked the entire length of the stage, as guitarists Johnny Baab and Thomas Tull brought the musical muscle.

Though whomever was working the video screen cameras quickly realized the importance of keyboardist Joe Munroe, the Center Township resident and Beaver High grad, whose organ swirls give the Ghost Hounds a vibrant soulfulness. Munroe, in his Pittsburgh Pirates ballcap, got plenty of well-deserved screen time. Nation introduced him as "the Beaver rhino" and "local legend."

Tull, a rhythm guitarist who shined Monday on a few lead solos, took a moment to recognize his twin sons were celebrating their 12th birthday. 

"I'm glad I could get the Rolling Stones to come play for it," Tull said.

Hey, he is a part-owner of the Heinz Field-dwelling Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ghost Hounds also were tapped to open the North Carolina, Nashville, Los Angeles and Tampa tour dates for the Stones. 

Rolling Stones setlist, Oct. 4 Heinz Field

Street Fighting Man

Let's Spend the Night Together

Tumbling Dice

19th Nervous Breakdown

Troubles a' Comin

Angie

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Living in a Ghost Town

Start Me Up

Honky Tonk Women

Before They Make Me Run

Slipping Away

Miss You

Midnight Rambler

Paint It Black

Sympathy for the Devil

Jumpin' Jack Flash

ENCORE

Gimme Shelter

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Scott Tady is the local Entertainment Reporter for The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He's easy to reach at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady