I'd like to do a series of retrospective reviews on the part of Rock's Off's membership, on each Stones album. For the early releases, we'll go by both the UK and US releases--Both releases will be covered in a single thread. Sort of like both your own personal feelings on the albums, then and now, and perhaps even (if you want to go in depth) a track by track review--That part isn't necessary, though, just an extra if you really wanna go in depth. Could also talk about your first time listening to the album(s), how you felt about them then, and if your feelings have changed. Your memories. This is a big year--let's give the boys all we got. Let's let it all hang out.

I figured since we're now in 2012, we're in the Stones' Fiftieth Year of being the World's Greatest Rock N' Roll Band and if nothing else, this would be a cool sort of way for all of us as a community to celebrate them and the works they've given us, by talking about all their albums. Each album will get it's own thread as I said.

So, we'll begin at the start--with the Stones' first album; The first gift they gave to the world. It was released as "The Rolling Stones" in the UK on 16 April 1964, and as "The Rolling Stones: England's Newest Hitmakers" in America on May 30th, 1964.

A track listing for each version is as follows:

The Rolling Stones (UK)
1.      "Route 66"        
2.      "I Just Want to Make Love to You"        
3.      "Honest I Do"        
4.      "Mona (I Need You Baby)"        
5.      "Now I've Got a Witness (Like Uncle Phil and Uncle Gene)"        
6.      "Little by Little"        
Side two
7.      "I'm a King Bee"        
8.      "Carol"        
9.      "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)"        
10.      "Can I Get a Witness"        
11.      "You Can Make It If You Try"        
12.      "Walking the Dog" (Mick and Brian Jones on vocals, notably)

Now I've Got a Witness and Tell Me were the first ever original Stones' songs released.

The Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hitmakers)- US tracklisting:

1.      "Not Fade Away"
2.      "Route 66"
3.      "I Just Want to Make Love to You"
4.      "Honest I Do"
5.      "Now I've Got a Witness"
6.      "Little by Little"
Side two
7.      "I'm a King Bee"
8.      "Carol"
9.      "Tell Me"
10.      "Can I Get a Witness"
11.      "You Can Make It If You Try"
12.      "Walking the Dog"

Notably, Gene Pitney and Phil Spector play on Little by Little as guest musicians. Tell Me was the Stones' first original single, released in June 1964, although it was their sixth single overall (their first, Come On, was released in June 1963). It reached number 24 on the charts.

In the UK, The Rolling Stones' first record was a smash--It stayed at #1 for 12 weeks and established the Stones as a breakout artist. On the other side of the pond, it wasn't as popular; it went to #11 and went Gold, but is their only album not to place in the Top Five in the American charts.

This first Stones album, I remember exactly where I was and who played it for me, my 1st cousin Barney, from Baltimore, in his bedroom at my aunt's summer cottage. It was amazing, here I was a Beatles fan, and these guys blew me away. It was like finding out there is another flavor of Ice Cream. It was easy to hear that these guys were Rare..and the parents hated them! We had to listen to this album when no one over the age of 30 was around. I had two older cousins who always fought over The Beatles VS Elvis, now there was another dog in the fight, thanks to my cousin BARNEY. "TELL ME" WAS THE SONG HE FIRST PLAYED FOR ME! Than he played "Carol", and I was again blown away. Then "Not Fade Away"
Than he showed me their album cover! These guys looked like bad asses compared to the........well you know. Now spinning the disc, I have no real change in my feelings except now that is a tame feeling compared to some of the #$%^ that out there now. Then I kinda feel like I was listening to something that was wrong for me to hear. You know we had a secert, all our own. The "younger generation" had a thing all our own. Something not manufactured for us to buy or something that was "ok alright you can listen" to this.We had something that really scared some adults...it was bad and that was good. Now that feeling the kids have but it a blatant in your face RAP. It was not so blatant then, it was ours but not at the expensive of Them.
I'll remember that summer that day that first touch down of the needle to the vinyl. It changed my life.
I do remember thinking at the time I can't wait to hear their next Album. I also reflect back now and realize it was the Stones and Yes The Beatles who introduced me to the guys that originally did the songs I like. If it won't for these Englisters I would not have as fallen in love with the blues and the old boogie woogie as soon as I did. I went back and found were they were getting their stuff from. It's was like going to Mars to find that the alien Martians were getting their art from Go old Earth. Another words I left home to find out I didn't have to leave at all, All I had to do was "Click My Heels"

A great album, all great songs.  My personal favorites: King Bee, Route 66, Can I Get A Witness, Little By Little, Honest I Do.  Much better than anything The Beatles put out that year.

IT'S A GOOD START.
I LISTEN TO ALL THEIR EARLY RECORDS AND THEY GET MUCH BETTER BUT ROUTE 66,TELL ME AND KING BEE ARE THE STANDOUTS.
THEY WERE A ROCKIN BAND EARLY ON THAT'S FOR DAMN SURE.
GREAT THREAD BY THE WAY.
:smilestu

3 responses :blankfriggingstare1
I was hoping for this one to get more, IMO This was a good Discussion!

THIS WAS TRYED BEFORE AND IT DID NOT WORK EITHER....AM I MISSING SOMETHING?
:boring :thatwassmart :scary :tongui :sad :spooky

The only difference is Not Fade Away and Mona are not on both records by some odd decision making. Maybe they felt Not Fade Away was more of an American tune? King Bee is my favorite song providing some sexual content but back then they had to use metaphors instead of being too shocking. Those were the very early days and the album title England's Newest Hitmakers it was a self proclamation that The Stones are new and making hits in England in case you dont know! That title got the youth of America paying attention to The Stones! Smart move!

Bitch wrote on Jan 25^th, 2012 at 10:42pm:

The only difference is Not Fade Away and Mona are not on both records by some odd decision making. Maybe they felt Not Fade Away was more of an American tune? King Bee is my favorite song providing some sexual content but back then they had to use metaphors instead of being too shocking. Those were the very early days and the album title England's Newest Hitmakers it was a self proclamation that The Stones are new and making hits in England in case you dont know! That title got the youth of America paying attention to The Stones! Smart move!

YOU KNOW WHAT I NEVER THOUGH OF THAT , YOU ARE RIGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA! THANK YOU!

Kilroy wrote on Jan 25^th, 2012 at 8:05pm:

THIS WAS TRYED BEFORE AND IT DID NOT WORK EITHER....AM I MISSING SOMETHING? :boring :thatwassmart :scary :tongui :sad :spooky

I AGREE.WISH THERE WAS MORE TALK LIKE THIS.

I'm still looking for the original LP with poster.  I wonder how many are left now?

Kilroy wrote on Jan 10^th, 2012 at 11:10pm:

This first Stones album, I remember exactly where I was and who played it for me, my 1st cousin Barney, from Baltimore, in his bedroom at my aunt's summer cottage. It was amazing, here I was a Beatles fan, and these guys blew me away. It was like finding out there is another flavor of Ice Cream. It was easy to hear that these guys were Rare..and the parents hated them! We had to listen to this album when no one over the age of 30 was around. I had two older cousins who always fought over The Beatles VS Elvis, now there was another dog in the fight, thanks to my cousin BARNEY. "TELL ME" WAS THE SONG HE FIRST PLAYED FOR ME! Than he played "Carol", and I was again blown away. Then "Not Fade Away" Than he showed me their album cover! These guys looked like bad asses compared to the........well you know. Now spinning the disc, I have no real change in my feelings except now that is a tame feeling compared to some of the #$%^ that out there now. Then I kinda feel like I was listening to something that was wrong for me to hear. You know we had a secert, all our own. The "younger generation" had a thing all our own. Something not manufactured for us to buy or something that was "ok alright you can listen" to this.We had something that really scared some adults...it was bad and that was good. Now that feeling the kids have but it a blatant in your face RAP. It was not so blatant then, it was ours but not at the expensive of Them. I'll remember that summer that day that first touch down of the needle to the vinyl. It changed my life. I do remember thinking at the time I can't wait to hear their next Album. I also reflect back now and realize it was the Stones and Yes The Beatles who introduced me to the guys that originally did the songs I like. If it won't for these Englisters I would not have as fallen in love with the blues and the old boogie woogie as soon as I did. I went back and found were they were getting their stuff from. It's was like going to Mars to find that the alien Martians were getting their art from Go old Earth. Another words I left home to find out I didn't have to leave at all, All I had to do was "Click My Heels"

_______________________________________________



Nice Read Mate -


Ian

Bitch wrote on Jan 25^th, 2012 at 10:42pm:

The only difference is Not Fade Away and Mona are not on both records by some odd decision making. Maybe they felt Not Fade Away was more of an American tune? King Bee is my favorite song providing some sexual content but back then they had to use metaphors instead of being too shocking. Those were the very early days and the album title England's Newest Hitmakers it was a self proclamation that The Stones are new and making hits in England in case you dont know! That title got the youth of America paying attention to The Stones! Smart move!

All the covers are American tunes. They were an R&B band trying to spread the 'gospel' of that type of music. So, the whole point was to sound 'American'.

Not Fade Away wasnt on the UK version of the album because it had already been  a single, and back then singles were kept off albums. The song had not been a hit in the US though (No.48 as opposed to No.3 in the UK) so it would have made more sense to release it on the US debut.

The US discovered the Stones several months after the UK so they had a bit of catching up to do, hence the difference in releases up to 1967 (Satanic Majesties was the first album that had identical track listings in both markets)

None of the Stones singles in their time on Decca were included on the eight studio albums released in the UK by the label. Their first UK single that also appeared on an album was 'Brown Sugar', the band's first release on their own label. The UK didn't even get two singles from an album until 'Respectable' was released as the follow up to 'Miss You' in October 1978.

to this day..Tell Me..remains one of my top 5 songs of all time..any band.......

gimmekeef wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 2:12pm:

to this day..Tell Me..remains one of my top 5 songs of all time..any band.......

LOVE IT TOO! WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT LIVE.

BILL PERKS wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 4:10pm:

gimmekeef wrote on Jan 30th, 2012 at 2:12pm: to this day..Tell Me..remains one of my top 5 songs of all time..any band....... LOVE IT TOO! WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT LIVE.

That would Be GREAT!
Now The Question,  when and if ever did they play that last live?
Seems to be a fitting song for a Stones aniversary IMO.
I'm playing NOW!
By The Way Thank you Ian.

Kilroy wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 4:40pm:

BILL PERKS wrote on Jan 30th, 2012 at 4:10pm: gimmekeef wrote on Jan 30th, 2012 at 2:12pm: to this day..Tell Me..remains one of my top 5 songs of all time..any band....... LOVE IT TOO! WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT LIVE. That would Be GREAT! Now The Question,  when and if ever did they play that last live? Seems to be a fitting song for a Stones aniversary IMO. I'm playing NOW! By The Way Thank you Ian.

ONE WAY TO COMBAT THE OBVIOUS AGE OF THE BAND ON STAGE IS PLAY MORE MID TEMPO NUMBERS,LIKE THIS.LEAVE THE "SHES SO COLD" 05/06 TRAINWRECK AT HOME.

not a bad album for one of those get the girls panties wet to sell records boy bands!!! I often wonder if I would've been so uptight back then, jealous and threatened by their look and popularity that I might have ignored them, at least for a while!!!
Great album... not my fave of the early stuff... back then they were churning out music almost daily.

Does anyone have a copy of the Poster or the original poster of the one that came with the album. I'd love to remember it, but can't. :blankfriggingstare1
There was no ignoring them. We all had very short crew cut hair cuts either from the same barber or similar bowl. At the time all the bands coming out  were boy bands.

Kilroy wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 7:16pm:

Does anyone have a copy of the Poster or the original poster of the one that came with the album. I'd love to remember it, but can't. :blankfriggingstare1 There was no ignoring them. We all had very short crew cut hair cuts either from the same barber or similar bowl. At the time all the bands coming out  were boy bands.

What's amazing is, you watch videos of the band from 1965 or so and their hair would be considered pretty short today, yet at the time it was considered even more radical than The Beatles. Hair was a goddamn big issue it seems in the 60s.

1965:
http://www.pophistorydig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1964-London.jpg
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/07/24/photos/wk-nightstones.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5168/5302934739_a26477d89b_z.jpg

1969 (last photoshoot with Brian, May 1969):
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg28/scaled.php?server=28&filename=stoneshds.jpg&res=medium
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7pkn9BpUGY/ShpKPWNR3aI/AAAAAAAAAWc/b9wz7xMQW8U/s400/Rolling+Stones+-+1969+-+Through+The+Past+Darkly+-+Front.jpg

BILL PERKS wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 4:10pm:

gimmekeef wrote on Jan 30th, 2012 at 2:12pm: to this day..Tell Me..remains one of my top 5 songs of all time..any band....... LOVE IT TOO! WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT LIVE.

They rehearsed Tell Me at Woodstock in 78.  Checked Youtube, nothing there.  

http://www.collectorsmusicreviews.com/rolling-stones/the-rolling-stones-complete-woodstock-tapes-original-master-series-oms001-4/

The picture of the boys by the Thames and the one where they are sporting waistcoats were both probably taken in 1963 - not 1965.

Anyway... yeah, the Rolling Stones debut is a classic and was probably my introduction to the group. Route 66 was such an explosive, rollicking, opener.

Kilroy wrote on Jan 30^th, 2012 at 7:16pm:

Does anyone have a copy of the Poster or the original poster of the one that came with the album. I'd love to remember it, but can't. :blankfriggingstare1 There was no ignoring them. We all had very short crew cut hair cuts either from the same barber or similar bowl. At the time all the bands coming out  were boy bands.

This be it?  I've never actually seen one in person....   [smiley=smiley_down.gif]

http://www.popsike.com/Rolling-Stones-mono-poster-Englands-Newest-Hitmakers/360365267951.html