The Rolling Stones – “England’s Newest Hit Makers”

The Sleeve:

The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
“The ROLLING STONES are more than just a group – they are a way of life. A way of life that has captured the imagination of England’s teenagers, and made them one of the most sought after groups in Beatdom. For the Stones have their fingers on the pulse of the basic premise of “pop” music success – that its public buys sound, and the sound is what they give you with this their first album; a raw, exciting basic approach to Rhythm and Blues which, blended with their five own explosive characters, has given them three smash hits an an E.P. that stayed in the single charts for fifteen weeks. In the eight months since the Stones embarked on their pop career, they have not only chalked up major chart successes, but smashed attendance records on tours the length and breadth of the country. They have emerged as five well rounded intelligent talents, who will journey successfully far beyond the realms of pop music. And in this album there are twelve good reasons why.
 Andrew Loog Oldham.”

Personal Review:
 So, I honestly think it may be one of the rarest record finds I’ve ever had at a Value Village – needless to say, I was impressed.

 The album opens with a cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” and it’s a great way to begin an album. Mick’s vocals are great, and Brian Jones’ harmonica playing is totally worth everything. He rips it up on that thing. Brian Jones was the greatest. It’s followed by the song “Route 66” and it has some great musicianship and once more, Mick delivers wonderfully on the vocals, and then the chorus comes which has Mick singing ‘Missouri‘ without pronouncing his ‘R‘ – it’s quite a funny listen, for that one part. Then comes the song “I Just Want to Make Love to You” which I find sounds a little shouted, but it’s not musically speaking, the musicianship is superb. After that comes the song “Honest I Do” and you know, I’m not sure what Stones era I prefer the most, it’s quite confusing when I really think about it. Then comes the song “Now I’ve Got a Witness” and I find this song should be where the song “Can I Get a Witness” is and vice versa, to me it makes more sense like that, but it’s a pretty good song. It’s a full on instrumental track though, and it’s not bad, but what are the Stones without Mick? Then comes “Little By Little” which closes the A-Side, and it’s a pretty good track, can’t complain here! I quite enjoy this song.

 Then flip it over to the B-Side and you get the track, “I’m a King Bee” and you know what, if there is one Rolling Stones song I dislike, it’s this one, it just irritates me so much. Though the musicianship is pretty decent. “Carol” comes next, and the opening guitar riff is a lot like Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” I almost thought it was the same track! But it’s not, it is however better than the actual opening track of the album. After that comes the track “Tell Me” and it’s another great track, especially when the chorus hits, that makes it even greater than before! Then comes the song “Can I Get a Witness” and it should’ve been earlier on the album! It’s a good song, but not something I’m overly fond of. Then comes the song “You Can Make It If You Try” and it’s a pretty good track a little slower, but not bad at all! I love the organ playing too. It’s pretty great. The album ends with the song “Walking the Dog” and it’s an okay track, but the Stones have had done better albums and better songs. Oh well though.

Interesting Facts:
None.

Track Listing:
A1 – Not Fade Away
A2 – Route 66
A3 – I Just Want to Make Love to You
A4 – Honest I Do
A5 – Now That I’ve Got a Witness
A6 – Little by Little

B1 – I’m a King Bee
B2 – Carol
B3 – Tell Me
B4 – Can I Get a Witness
B5 – You Can Make It If You Try
B6 – Walking the Dog

Label:
London Records

Catalog Number:
LL 3375

Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Piano – Gene Pitney & Ian Stewart
Maracas – Phil Spector
Organ – Ian Stewart
Cover Photography – Nicholas Wright
Arrangements by The Rolling Stones
Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham & Eric Easton for Impact Sound Studio, Regent Sound, London
Vocals & Harmonica – Mick Jagger
Guitar, Harmonica & Vocals – Brian Jones
Bass Guitar & Vocals – Bill Wyman
Drums – Charlie Watts
Guitar – Keith Richards

Other Albums I Own by The Rolling Stones:
“Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)”
“‘Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!’: The Rolling Stones in Concert”
“Sticky Fingers”

Released:
1964

Related Vinyls:

José Feliciano – “A Bag Full of Soul, Folk, Rock and Blues” The Beatles – “The White Album” Traffic – “Traffic” Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Smash Hits”