features in: Album Chart of 1964 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |
In keeping with the frantic, fast-paced nature of the era, the London five-piece laid down their opening album set over the course of just 5 days at the start of the year. At this time they were: Mick Jagger (20, lead vocals); Keith Richards (20, guitar, backing vocals); Brian Jones (21, guitar, harmonica, percussion, backing vocals); Bill Wyman (27, bass guitar, backing vocals) and Charlie Watts (22, drums, percussion). The Stones’ debut is a heady affair, high on life, and a positive celebration of the rebellious heritage of America’s rhythm n blues scene since the mid-50s; these young men were tipping their hat and paying their dues.
It’s a blast from the off, with the high energy one-two opening of “Route 66” (as per Chuck Berry’s vision) and “I Just Wanna Make Love To You”, which fairly ramps up the tempo of Muddy Water’s original. They show immaculate taste on track 3, by taking on Jimmy Reed’s “Honest I Do”; it’s clear these cats are the real McCoy. Without necessarily setting the heather on fire, there’s not a weak track on Side 1, as the group tackle Bo Diddley’s “Mona”, before serving up their instrumental “Now I’ve Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil And Uncle Gene)” (a titular reference to Phil Spector and Gene Pitney, both of whom contributed to the sessions) and “Little By Little” which co-credits Phil Spector, who earns his corn by shaking some maracas.
Side 2 opens with Slim Harpo’s “I’m A King Bee” and the album’s rating duly rockets – they’ve got this music in their veins man – Slim’s “sting solo” never sounded so good! Their fantastic version of Chuck Berry’s “Carol” kicks ass and then, towards the end, another excellent cover of Gene Allison’s “You Can Make It If You Try” seals the deal on a terrific debut set. Rough n ready with nuff respect and not a little talent – authentic Blues culture had well and truly been delivered to British youth.
The Jukebox Rebel
21–Apr–2007
Tracklist |
A1 | [02:20] The Rolling Stones - Route 66 (Bobby Troup) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
A2 | [02:17] The Rolling Stones - I Just Want To Make Love To You (Willie Dixon) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
A3 | [02:09] The Rolling Stones - Honest I Do (Jimmy Reed) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
A4 | [03:33] The Rolling Stones - I Need You Baby (Mona) (Ellas Otha Bates) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
A5 | [02:29] The Rolling Stones - Now I’ve Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil And Uncle Gene) (Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
A6 | [02:39] The Rolling Stones - Little By Little (Bill Wyman, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Ian Stewart, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Phil Spector) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
B1 | [02:35] The Rolling Stones - I’m A King Bee (James Moore) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
B2 | [02:33] The Rolling Stones - Carol (Charles Berry) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
B3 | [04:05] The Rolling Stones - Tell Me (You’re Coming Back) (Mick Jagger, Keith Richard) Pop |
B4 | [02:55] The Rolling Stones - Can I Get A Witness (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |
B5 | [02:01] The Rolling Stones - You Can Make It If You Try (Ted Jarrett) Rock n Roll Ballad |
B6 | [03:10] The Rolling Stones - Walking The Dog (Rufus Thomas) Blues / Rhythm n Blues |