Audio CD review:
The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones - England's Newest Hitmakers

The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones - England's Newest Hitmakers

Band: The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones Title: England's Newest Hitmakers Rating: Release Date: 03 September, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 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 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

Customer Reviews When it was BRIAN'S Band A release from the precious couple of years of the band's life before the ambitious Andrew Oldham (produced this and all the early Stones recordings) started moving them in a more "Beatlesque" direction in order to cash in. Ah, back in the day when it was Brian Jones' band and the Rolling Stones were more interested in creating great R & B music than stardom and screaming girls. I have all of the ABCKO SACD remasters and I especially like the early material by the Rolling Stones before Brian lost all his influence. I've also been a musician for over 40 years and remember the band's first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, more years ago then I care to admit or even think about. I was there at the beginning so I've been listening for over 40 years. Given that, I'm exceedingly well qualified to provide you with an objective review. This was/is our introduction to "the band that will not die" ("Bullets can't stop it, rockets can't stop it, we may need to use nuclear force!"). Anyway, this is a very solid first release. There's really only one tune that caused me to raise an eyebrow. "Now I've Got a Witness" includes a very cheesy Farfisa organ accompaniment. But Farfisa organs were in all the studios back then so can we really blame them for letting Stu have a go on it? The guitar and harmonica are quite good on this track anyway. Other than that cheesy organ sound, there are no weak moments to speak of. Sure, "Tell Me" and "Carol" don't seem to fit with the rest of the material but that's ok. This is a very good R & B record made by some really talented young musicians. I especially love listening to Brian Jones' lead parts and harmonica playing. It was also a delight to hear his back vocal clearly on "Walkin' the Dog" even if it was a tad gruff. If you like the early Rolling Stones then this is one you must own; however, I would start with the insanely good "Rolling Stones Now!", their third US release. Passage of years has done nothing to dim this star.... Not to say that enormous chunks of wonderful stuff didn't follow, of course, unlike many bands who peaked on their early releases and never challenged again. As time passed by, my sense that this and "Out of Our Heads" were their finest efforts never really left me. I just loved the raw passion in the way they covered material like "Not Fade Away" "Hitch Hike" and "Walking the Dog," and made it their own. To me, these well chosen covers were much more appealing than some of the later "middle of the LP" songs from their own writing. And, as for "Tell Me," it just doesn't get much better than that!. Good debut, but... . . I agree with many of the critics who think the Rolling Stones 1963 singles would have made for some nice, but necessary bonus tracks. Otherwise a good debut from the boys. There are some great tracks here, like Not Fade Away, Route 66, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Honest I Do, Little by Little, I'm a King Bee, Carol and Tell Me. But, later in the album the boys start to run out of gas. Can I Get a Witness, You Can Make It If You Try and Walking the Dog are pretty weak. Also track 5, Now I've Got a Witness is filler. . . You can see a complete list of all The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones discography, or go back to the The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones tabs