Olympia, Paris, France 11th July 2003 IEM (from Original Masters)

★Maniac astonishment! The world's first appearance of Olympia's high-quality in-ear monitor sound source in 2003!!

The Rolling Stones' theater gig at the Olympia in Paris in 2003 was officially filmed and later included as the main feature of the theater part in "FOUR FLICKS". Since the finished product could be used as a normal live soundboard album, the best-selling "PARIS OLYMPIA 2003" realized a complete live recording by filling in the three unrecorded songs from audience recordings.

In addition, Olympia produced the best audience items that were used to fill in the album in real time, but behind the scenes, enthusiasts kept secret the Olympia's in-ear monitor recordings. Just as a similar recording was produced from the Japan tour that same year, this tour was a turning point for the Stones to produce in-ear monitor recordings from their live shows. However, since Olympia had already released the official version with video footage, this recording had not been distributed and had been left lying around until now.

The in-ear monitor recordings from Olympia, which we obtained exclusively for this limited press CD release, are really interesting. Due to the nature of the recordings, Mick's voice is generally very prominent and the performance is somewhat pushed into the background. Moreover, as can be seen from the fact that the percussion sounds he plays towards the microphone at the end of "Dance" are loud, it seems that the main recording was recorded by tapping into Mick's wireless microphone. Mick was not yet wearing in-ear monitors on the "LICKS" tour (they were introduced in 2005).

However, in the two songs Keith sings, his voice becomes distant, but in "Before They Make Me Run" you can clearly hear Bernard Fowler's backing vocals, so it's possible that the recording is an intercepted in-ear monitor of Lisa Fischer or Blondie Chaplin in the chorus. In any case, there's no doubt that Mick's vocals are overwhelmingly direct.

This is a different level of vividness from the live album "PARIS OLYMPIA 2003", which was compiled from multi-tracks, and it feels like Mick's singing voice is flowing directly from your ears to your brain. I was so shocked by the vividness that I even had the illusion of being on stage with Mick at Olympia.

However, it was recorded with in-ear monitors. Moreover, recording technology was still in its infancy in 2003, so there are many skips in the sound. That was also the reason why the recording was kept secret until now, but for this release, the "PARIS OLYMPIA 2003" soundboard was converted to mono and then supplemented, making it surprisingly easy to listen to without any discomfort. For "Rip This Joint," for which the soundboard has not been released, the problem areas of the in-ear monitors were adjusted using the previous audience recording. This is a precise finish that could only be achieved in 2024, not in 2003.

And above all, the incredible singing voice of Mick, who approaches the listener as it is, is amazing. The engine is at full throttle from the opening "Start Me Up," and then it's all crisp and crisp. Although it's a recent tour, the "LICKS" tour was 20 years ago now. It's amazing that Mick, who was already in his 60s, was able to sing so well. After deciding to shout with high tension, he sings "Worried About You" and "That's How Strong My Love Is" carefully.

In this way, it even seems that the unique balance of Mick's voice being more overwhelming than the performance is a big attraction. Another advantage is that, unlike "PARIS OLYMPIA 2003," "Rip This Joint" is mainly Mick, but you can enjoy it closer to the soundboard. Because it is one of the great performances of that day.

Twenty years later, an in-ear monitor recording of Olympia suddenly appeared. Enjoy the extremely vivid and yet Mick's singing at its best to your heart's content. Another Side of Olympia that will amaze enthusiasts all over the world!

★The release will come with a numbered sticker.

Disc 1 (64:36)

1. Intro.

2. Start Me Up

3. Live With Me

4. Neighbours

5. Hand Of Fate

6. No Expectations

7. Worried About You

8. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo

9. It's Only Rock 'n Roll

10. Stray Cat Blues

11. Dance

12. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

13. That's How Strong My Love Is

Disc 2 (52:53)

1. Going To A Go Go

2. Band Introductions

3. The Nearness Of You

4. Before They Make Me Run

5. Love Train

6. Respectable

7. Rip This Joint

8. Honky Tonk Women

9. Tumbling Dice

10. Brown Sugar

11. Jumping Jack Flash