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JimBeviglia

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The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Sep 28^th, 2015 at 3:41pm

Hello all. My name is Jim Beviglia and I'm the author of two books in the Counting Down series, which is devoted to countdowns of the best songs of rock's finest artists. My new book is on the Stones and comes out in November. To promote it, I've begun a series of chronological reviews of the band's studio albums. The first one arrives today. I hope you all check it out in the link below and maybe try out the book as well. Thanks so much for your time, and stay tuned as the series continues. https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/ck-retro-review-the-rolling-stones...

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #1 - Sep 28^th, 2015 at 5:00pm

Interesting analysis of music that's been dissected many times over. After a quick read, I was surprised by your categorization of Route 66 and Not Fade Away as pop songs. I also tend to think that King Bee was pretty darn faithful to Slim Harpo's original - especially compared to their proto-punk interpretation of Just Wanna Make Love To You.

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #2 - Sep 29^th, 2015 at 12:01am

Hi Jim. Nice work. You're obviously reviewing the UK version of their debut. I would give Tell Me 5 stars, as it's the first, and an unlikely, perfect example of the classic Stones approach to balladry - haunting and haunted yet very down to earth and accessible.

Also, Mona is, I think, one of the few cover versions in history to completely re-shape and top the original (great as Bo's was). Easy 5 star for me. This goes for Buddy's Not Fade Away as well.

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JimBeviglia

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #3 - Sep 29^th, 2015 at 7:41am

patioaintdry wrote on Sep 28^th, 2015 at 5:00pm:

Interesting analysis of music that's been dissected many times over. After a quick read, I was surprised by your categorization of Route 66 and Not Fade Away as pop songs. I also tend to think that King Bee was pretty darn faithful to Slim Harpo's original - especially compared to their proto-punk interpretation of Just Wanna Make Love To You.

I guess it might have been more accurate to say they were maybe more radio-friendly in terms of what was being played at the time. And I agree about the similarities to the Slim Harpo version, but I do feel like the Stones lace it with their own attitude and make it their own more than something like "Can I Get A Witness."

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JimBeviglia

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #4 - Sep 29^th, 2015 at 7:44am

Mr. Yeats wrote on Sep 29^th, 2015 at 12:01am:

Hi Jim. Nice work. You're obviously reviewing the UK version of their debut. I would give Tell Me 5 stars, as it's the first, and an unlikely, perfect example of the classic Stones approach to balladry - haunting and haunted yet very down to earth and accessible.

Also, Mona is, I think, one of the few cover versions in history to completely re-shape and top the original (great as Bo's was). Easy 5 star for me. This goes for Buddy's Not Fade Away as well.

Thanks for the kind words. And I included the songs on both US and UK versions since they were so similar, hence the inclusion of "Not Fade Away" (US version only) and Mona (UK only.)

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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #5 - Sep 29^th, 2015 at 7:45am By the way, folks, look for a new review twice a week, most likely every Monday and Thursday.
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #6 - Oct 1^st, 2015 at 3:34pm The next entry in the Retro Review series has been posted, as I take a look at 1964's 12 X 5. Check it out in the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/ck-retro-review-12-x-5-by-the-roll...
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #7 - Oct 5^th, 2015 at 10:57am The Retro Review series continues today with a look at 1965's The Rolling Stones, Now! Check it out in the link below and let me know what you think. Thanks, and have a good one, everybody! https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/ck-retro-review-the-rolling-stones...
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #8 - Oct 9^th, 2015 at 10:29am Today it's time to take a look back at the breakthrough 1965 album Out Of Our Heads. Check it out in the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/ck-retro-review-out-of-our-heads-b...
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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #9 - Oct 13^th, 2015 at 10:38am

Next up on my Retro Review series on the Stones is 1965's December's Children (And Everybody's). Here is the link:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/ck-retro-review-decembers-children...

And for those who'd like to pre-order my book on the group, Counting Down The Rolling Stones: Their 100 Finest Songs, that link is below:

http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Down-The-Rolling-Stones/dp/1442254467

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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #10 - Oct 16^th, 2015 at 10:59am Today in my Retro Review series we take a look at one of of my personal favorites, 1966's Aftermath. Check it out at the link below: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/ck-retro-review-aftermath-by-the-r...
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #11 - Oct 19^th, 2015 at 10:26am 1967's Between The Buttons: Letdown album or underrated? I weigh in as the Stones' Retro Review series continues in the link below: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/19/ck-retro-review-between-the-button...
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MrPleasant Rocks Off Regular Offline Posts: 2,677 Xalapa, Veracruz, México Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #12 - Oct 19^th, 2015 at 1:16pm Thanks for sharing.
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #13 - Oct 22^nd, 2015 at 10:56am Today 1967's Their Satanic Majesties Request gets the spotlight from the Retro Review series. Check it out in the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/22/ck-retro-review-their-satanic-maje...
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #14 - Oct 26^th, 2015 at 3:05pm It's gettin' real good now: 1968's Beggar's Banquet is in the Retro Review spotlight today. Check out the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/26/ck-retro-review-beggars-banquet-by...
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Mr. Yeats Rocks Off Regular Offline Nothing beats fun for a good time. Posts: 704 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #15 - Oct 26^th, 2015 at 6:36pm I'm really enjoying reading these, Jim. Thanks for posting. No real revelations for a fellow fanboy/geek like me, but the writing is interesting and you somehow make these old records seem new and current. Nice work.
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #16 - Oct 29^th, 2015 at 3:45pm Today the Retro Review series lands on 1969's Let It Bleed. Check it out in the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/ck-retro-review-let-it-bleed-by-th...
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JimBeviglia

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #17 - Oct 29^th, 2015 at 3:46pm

Mr. Yeats wrote on Oct 26^th, 2015 at 6:36pm:

I'm really enjoying reading these, Jim. Thanks for posting.

No real revelations for a fellow fanboy/geek like me, but the writing is interesting and you somehow make these old records seem new and current. Nice work.

Thanks for the kind words. Hope you check out the book as well.

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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #18 - Nov 2^nd, 2015 at 8:37am Today the Retro Review series continues with 1971's masterpiece Sticky Fingers. Check it out in the link below. https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/02/ck-retro-review-sticky-fingers-by-...
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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #19 - Nov 6^th, 2015 at 4:19pm Better late than never: Today I look at Exile On Main St. Check it out in the link: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/ck-retro-review-exile-on-main-st-b...
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job

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #20 - Nov 10^th, 2015 at 11:57am

Don't agree at all with the review of Goat's Head Soup. Just because it is different than the 4 albums preceding it doesn't mean it isn't as good. Using your rating system, I would most definitely put 100 Years, Coming Down, and Dancing w/D in the four star category...I disagree about lack of focus on these tunes...these are songs I NEVER tire of...riveting thru and thru. This is a great album.

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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #21 - Nov 11^th, 2015 at 9:18am Forgot to post this the other day. Here is my look at Goats Head Soup. https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/ck-retro-review-goats-head-soup-by...
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JimBeviglia

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Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series
Reply #22 - Nov 11^th, 2015 at 9:22am

job wrote on Nov 10^th, 2015 at 11:57am:

Don't agree at all with the review of Goat's Head Soup. Just because it is different than the 4 albums preceding it doesn't mean it isn't as good. Using your rating system, I would most definitely put 100 Years, Coming Down, and Dancing w/D in the four star category...I disagree about lack of focus on these tunes...these are songs I NEVER tire of...riveting thru and thru. This is a great album.

Disagreement is totally welcome, especially when it's coming from knowledgeable fans. To me, 100 Years meanders musically while Coming Down is all over the place lyrically. I like 'em both, but feel they come up a bit short of a four-star standard. I like Mr D as well, but I feel like it might lack the ambition of a classic. To me these songs lack the kind of lightning-in-a-bottle spark that characterized a lot of Exile's tracks.

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JimBeviglia Rocks Off Regular Offline Rocks Off Rules You Bastards Posts: 32 Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #23 - Nov 12^th, 2015 at 12:34pm Today, 1974's It's Only Rock 'n' Roll is under the Retro Review microscope. Check it out in the link below: https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/ck-retro-review-its-only-rock-n-ro...
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job Rocks Off Regular Offline The last of the hard core troubadours. Posts: 191 Orange County, California Gender:	Re: The Rolling Stones Retro Review Series Reply #24 - Nov 12^th, 2015 at 2:38pm IORR has always been one of my least favorite stones songs. Time Waits, Til The Next, and Fingerprint are all 5 star tunes IMO.
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