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-englands-newest-hit-makers-by-the-rolling-stones/

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.

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.

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."

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.)

By the way, folks, look for a new review twice a week, most likely every Monday and Thursday.

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-rolling-stones/

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-now-by-the-rolling-stones/

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-by-the-rolling-stones/

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-everybodys-by-the-rolling-stones/

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

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-rolling-stones/

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-buttons-by-the-rolling-stones/

Thanks for sharing.

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-majesties-request-by-the-rolling-stones/

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-the-rolling-stones/

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.

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-the-rolling-stones/

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.

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-the-rolling-stones/

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-by-the-rolling-stones/

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.

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-the-rolling-stones/

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.

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-roll-by-the-rolling-stones/

IORR has always been one of my least favorite stones songs.  Time Waits, Til The Next, and Fingerprint are all 5 star tunes IMO.

This is cool.
I await a certain album review more than others.

Some Guy wrote on Nov 12^th, 2015 at 3:21pm:

This is cool. I await a certain album review more than others.

SPOILER ALERT: Every song on Dirty Work gets 5 stars.

job wrote on Nov 12^th, 2015 at 5:31pm:

Some Guy wrote on Nov 12th, 2015 at 3:21pm: This is cool. I await a certain album review more than others. SPOILER ALERT: Every song on Dirty Work gets 5 stars.

I actually can't wait to write that one either.

Keep me posted on Emotional Rescue.

I look forward to all of them actually...do them daily Jim!!

job wrote on Nov 13^th, 2015 at 12:23pm:

I look forward to all of them actually...do them daily Jim!!

I wish I had the time to. But here is today's: A Look at 1976's Black And Blue:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/ck-retro-review-black-and-blue-by-the-rolling-stones/

And the book is available now:

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

I think you meant "Melody", not "Remedy" in the Black & Blue review.

The book looks great.  Your Top 100 supports my long held and very unpopular opinion that Steel Wheels is better than Voodoo Lounge.

job wrote on Nov 16^th, 2015 at 1:32pm:

I think you meant "Melody", not "Remedy" in the Black & Blue review.

Thanks for catching that. I'll edit it later. And thanks for the kind words on the book.

If anything, your book appears to be provocative. I look forward to reading the justification for ranking Midnight Rambler at 86 instead of 16 . . . or 6.

But, its tough for anyone to rank songs outside of the warhorses -- quite an undertaking. I applaud you for the effort.

For those who have been following the series and are wondering how the book differs, here is an excerpt, courtesy of American Songwriter, which takes a deep dive into "Shooting Star":

http://www.americansongwriter.com/2015/11/book-excerpt-counting-down-the-rolling-stones/

We roll on today with 1978's Some Girls. Check it out in the link:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/ck-retro-review-some-girls-by-the-rolling-stones/

Sorry for the radio silence, folks, but I took some time off over the holidays. A new post comes on Thursday most likely, but in the meantime, here is the link to one I forgot to notify you about that went up last week, my look at 1980's Emotional Rescue.

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/ck-retro-review-emotional-rescue-by-the-rolling-stones/

JimBeviglia wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2015 at 7:26am:

Sorry for the radio silence, folks, but I took some time off over the holidays. A new post comes on Thursday most likely, but in the meantime, here is the link to one I forgot to notify you about that went up last week, my look at 1980's Emotional Rescue. https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/ck-retro-review-emotional-rescue-by-the-rolling-stones/

I love this album and play it all the time despite the typical reviews.  Nice to see your perspective and pretty positive review of an underrated album.

After a little hiatus, I'm once again neck-deep in the Stones catalog. Today it's a look at 1981's Tattoo You. Enjoy!

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/12/03/ck-retro-review-tattoo-you-by-the-rolling-stones/

Cool reviews but from the UK debut to no Nº 2 and UK Out Of Our Heads?

http://i.imgur.com/KJYnY4Xm.jpg

JimBeviglia wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2015 at 1:53pm:

After a little hiatus, I'm once again neck-deep in the Stones catalog. Today it's a look at 1981's Tattoo You. Enjoy! https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/12/03/ck-retro-review-tattoo-you-by-the-rolling-stones/

Every cut on this record deserves 4/5 stars.  Period.

Ephceetera wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2015 at 2:45pm:

Cool reviews but from the UK debut to no Nº 2 and UK Out Of Our Heads? http://i.imgur.com/KJYnY4Xm.jpg

The Stones definitely presented me with some problems in terms of which releases to spotlight. Sorry if there are inconsistencies there. I was trying to do it in the most comprehensive way, which is why I bounced back and forth somewhat between UK and US releases.

Next up in the Retro Review series: 1983's Undercover. It's in the link, of course:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/ck-retro-review-undercover-by-the-rolling-stones/

The most polarizing album in Rolling Stones history? The worst? The most underrated? See my take on 1986's Dirty World in the link below:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/ck-retro-review-dirty-work-by-the-rolling-stones/

JimBeviglia wrote on Dec 10^th, 2015 at 12:31pm:

See my take on 1986's Dirty World in the link below

Yes, it is indeed a very dirty world we live in.  :nooslajaleisk

Edith Grove wrote on Dec 10^th, 2015 at 12:53pm:

JimBeviglia wrote on Dec 10th, 2015 at 12:31pm: See my take on 1986's Dirty World in the link below Yes, it is indeed a very dirty world we live in.  :nooslajaleisk

D'oh! Dirty Work, of course. Thanks for catching my blunder.

I read your SF review. It's good. SF is my fav RS album.

RE: Brown Sugar
If they’d try to record it today, they’d probably be tarred and feathered, so score one for the pre-PC age.

PC= Politically Correct, right? or is it Personal Computer?
Either way, this is so true and can be said for many Stones tunes.

Today it's a look at Steel Wheels in the Stones Retro Review series. Check it out in the link:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2015/12/15/ck-retro-review-steel-wheels-by-the-rolling-stones/

JimBeviglia wrote on 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-majesties-request-by-the-rolling-stones/

Interesting review there Jim. I'm always interested in other people's opinions on TSMR, It's been largely slagged, (slated, dismissed, etc.) since it's release. When I first bought it in 1978, I was quite surprised at how much I liked it, especially when all the reviews I'd read had dismissed it as a poor attempt to follow The Beatles.

I can understand why it was dismissed in 1967, nobody really wanted that from The Stones, lack of a George Martin; absolutely! Their biggest problem since their inception, until Jimmy Miller.

Of course I had just begun my days of retracing their recorded work back in '78, my brain constantly screaming at me; "what the **** have I been doing since 1965? And TSMR was as interesting as anything else to me at that time, not as good as say, the Jimmy Miller period, but still of interest. I still like it, dated as it is. That cover was a bad move obviously. Way too much like the Sgt's. I still get a buzz from Citadel. "Where's that joint?"

Many apologies for the long hiatus. I took the holidays off and was all set to get back to the posts when the double whammy of the deaths of David Bowie and Glenn Frey hit. It didn't feel right somehow to write about a different band while all that was going on.

Anyway I'm back with three albums to go, starting with a look today at 1994's Voodoo Lounge:

https://countdownkid.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/ck-retro-review-voodoo-lounge-by-the-rolling-stones/

And, for those of you have read the book, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Or, better yet, leave a review on Amazon; it's a big help to getting the book in front of more eyes. US link:

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

And UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Counting-Down-The-Rolling-Stones-ebook/dp/B0154FI8YA

You have the wrong song title for opening track of Voodoo Lounge. Remove the "Your" in the title.