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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones

1964

Buy At Rough Trade
The Rolling Stones
Album Summary

The Rolling Stones is the debut studio album by the English rock band of the same name, released by Decca Records in the UK on 16 April 1964. The American edition of the LP, with a slightly different track list, came out on London Records on 30 May 1964, subtitled England's Newest Hit Makers, which later became its official title. Recorded at Regent Sound Studios in London over the course of five days in January and February 1964, The Rolling Stones was produced by then-managers Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The album was originally released by Decca Records in the UK, while the US version appeared on the London Records label. The majority of the tracks reflect the band's love for R&B. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (whose professional name until 1978 omitted the "s" in his surname) were fledgling songwriters during early 1964, contributing only one original composition to the album: "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)". Two songs are credited to "Nanker Phelge" – a pseudonym the band used for group compositions from 1963 to 1965. Phil Spector and Gene Pitney both contributed to the recording sessions, and are referred to as "Uncle Phil and Uncle Gene" in the subtitle of the Phelge instrumental "Now I've Got a Witness".

Wikipedia

Rating

3.24

Votes

13113

Genres

  • Rock

Reviews

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May 02 2023
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3

If this were the only Rolling Stones album it wouldn’t be on the list.

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Aug 15 2023
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2

Just a few covers of black musicians which did it better

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May 21 2023
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3

As with the first album of the Beatles, listening to this is historically interesting but nothing you need to check out. A cover of blues songs and not as interesting as their later works.

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Apr 09 2023
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3

Enjoyable, but yer not getting more than 3 for an album of covers.

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Mar 07 2023
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3

It's pretty good, I can see why it caught on, and their debut album is certainly an important moment in rock history. The fact that all but one are covers makes the album less interesting, and the one original is a sleeper. I like the bold move of not including the band name on the cover, but it would have been even better if they didn't put the label name there either (if I'm honest that almost ruins the effect).

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Aug 10 2023
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2

They're a good cover band, though I'm not a fan of covers, especially on 1001. It would take a few years before they got over writer's block and became hit machines. But if this and their next couple of albums, free of original compositions, was all they ever put out, we would have never heard of them.

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Aug 14 2023
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2

Really? Karaoke R&B covers, would have preferred the opportunity to hear literally *anything* else instead. Not mean spirited enough to give a 1* as the efforts are technically OK and I like the cover photo, but damn close. No more completist crap please

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Jan 13 2024
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1

News flash - most derivative band of all time started off with a generic derivative covers album. This is the most uninteresting album in the history of humankind. It makes me feel primal rage from how bland it is. The time is now, Mick Jagger. You are not ready for The Frog War of '24.

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Feb 17 2023
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4

A blunt punch in the front bottom. The Rolling Stones are the only group of men I would let loose on my mother. She's gagging for it, the slag.

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Mar 25 2023
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3

It’s alright R&B and blues styled music, but I have no idea why they chose this over one of their later albums. It’s got none of their famous songs, nor does it work well as an album. Purely meh.

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Aug 18 2023
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3

I can see why this album was chosen to be on this list since most people including causal Stones fan might not have heard it. It gives an intro into one of the biggest bands of all time and the Brain Jones lead era. Is it good? It's ok, the problem is listening now I've heard and love the versions of theses songs by the American blues artists that originally performed them. The Rolling Stones versions don't really measure up, perhaps in England in the early 60's they sounded new and fresh but not now. I will admit the version of King Bee is still really, really good.

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Jun 16 2023
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5

I think I actually liked this more than their later stuff. Sacrilege, I know. I liked the majority of the songs. My favourite was "Carol" which I see now is a Chuck Berry cover. I listened to this twice through, which means that's 5 material.

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Mar 20 2023
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5

It's The Stones but in a more subdued way. You can tell it's their very early stuff. Sounds and feels like them but punches lighter to me

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Feb 07 2023
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5

Nacimiento de la leyenda. Vinilo.

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Aug 18 2023
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3

1. How did Charlie Watts ever get caught up with these people? Did he lose a bet? 2. This album doesn't make me want to stab myself in the ears.

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Aug 04 2023
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3

Slight but satisfying. There's not much of a hint of what was to come for the band, but it's clearly better than most of their contemporaries.

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Feb 22 2023
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3

I can't help but think of that scene in Spinal Tap, as a skiffle band, The Thamesmen. Those slightly embarrassing early years. 2.5

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Jul 01 2024
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2

This is The Rolling Stones first album and I’m struggling to think of any other reason why it is included on the list. It’s a competently played set of (mostly) covers and isn’t necessarily “bad”, but it’s not really notable except that it’s an early-ish example of British guys covering American blues songs, but that was kind of par for the course in the mid-60’s and something that the Beatles had done. The Stones, I guess were meant to be a ragged, unruly counterpoint to the Beatles and they certainly are here: the songs are not covered with as much finesse or polish as a Beatles cover of a blues number might be. Whether that was an intentional stylistic choice, a limitation in skill or a combination of the two is probably debatable. Either way, this was the first step for one of the biggest rock bands of all time and I guess it is interesting to see where they started, but does it rank among the greatest albums of all time? For me, no. Although, it is impressive that they managed to get a record deal and put out their first album with only one original song on it.

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Jan 05 2024
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2

The sound overall is a tad too slovenly.

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Aug 18 2023
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2

I like the Rolling Stones and personally enjoyed listening to this album, but it shouldn’t on this list, it’s a covers album with no stand out hits,

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Aug 10 2023
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2

I guess the first album of a band as big as the Stones has to be included. It falls short compared to the Beatles and The Who’s first albums since it lacks the creativity those other debut albums had and doesn’t have a meaningful original tune. I always thought of the Stones as followers rather than trend setters - darn good followers but followers nonetheless. This album validates that.

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Mar 22 2023
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2

Just too early. Shades of what was to come, but R&B/Honky Tonk covers just don't thrill me. Ground breaking at the time I'm sure, but just dull and dated 60 years later sadly.

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Apr 22 2024
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1

I know this is the start of a legendary band and this album had a big impact on the culture yadda yadda yadda. This album is just straight up bad. All covers. No originals. Not the worst I've heard, I actually quite like Mona (I Need You Baby), but it was the most unneccesary thing I've heard. Like adding Beatles For Sale just because The Beatles had a big impact

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Oct 30 2023
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1

If it wasn't for the band's name, there's no way this album would get curated here. And while I'm at it: there are way too many Stones curated here.

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Dec 18 2024
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5

I love the folk sound mixed with traditional rock. It's light-hearted and interesting. Fun album.

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Dec 12 2024
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5

This album made me realize why the Rolling Stones are considered to be as influential as they are. And I actually enjoyed it!

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Oct 21 2024
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5

These kids might be going places. One to watch

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Aug 16 2024
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5

It might well be an album of covers but my, brilliantly done covers. Doesn't take a genius to work out what a huge success they went on to be. Fabulous

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Jul 10 2024
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5

I knew most of the tracks off this from radio-play in 1964/65. I didn’t own the album until the mid-70’s & for many years after that, it was the Stones album that I gave more spins than any other. There are 3 songs penned by The Stones : the instrumental Now I’ve Got A Witness; Little By Little - co-penned by Phil Spector (& majorly influenced by Jimmy Reed’s Shame, Shame, Shame) & featuring Spector on maracas & Gene Pitney on piano (they just happened to drop into the recording session in London), it was the b-side of Not Fade Away in the U.K., released two months before the album; and Tell Me, their first self-penned single in the U.S., in June’64, with Honest I Do on the flip. So the bulk of the album were covers - Route 66, written by Bobby Troup, who also co-wrote (unbelievably) My City Of Sydney, had been a big hit for The Nat King Cole Trio; I Just Want To Make Love To You written by Willie Dixon, who also gave them a big hit with Little Red Rooster; Bo Diddley’s Mona - they’d just had a hit with Buddy Holly’s Not Fade Away, which had been a variant on the unique Diddley beat; I’m A King Bee was written & recorded by Slim Harpo (James Moore); Carol was the beginning of the band’s love affair with Chuck Berry; Can I Get A Witness had been a hit for Marvin Gaye, having been written by the great Motown composers, Holland / Dozier / & Holland (on my original Australian mono copy of the l.p., Lamont Dozier is listed as Bozier); Walking The Dog was written & recorded by Rufus Thomas (Carla’s father); Ted Jarrett, a Nashville r&b composer & producer wrote You Can Make It If You Try; and, although the writing of Honest I Do is attributed to Hurran/Calvert, it was in fact written by Jimmy Reed. One of the things that struck me when I gave the album several spins in the last few days is the amount of harmonica on the album - 3 tracks feature Mick & 3 tracks feature Brian Jones. And they both do really well with it. A record I love dearly.

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Jun 14 2024
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5

This was a fun album. A good bluesy rock groove that got my foot tapping. I enjoyed pretty much every song. A proper first album from a legendary group.

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May 25 2024
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5

The originals, they set the bar!

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Apr 25 2024
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5

I didn’t realize how old The Rolling Stones were. Very beach boys. 5 for its continued groovyness and historical influence.

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Apr 22 2024
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5

All covers. So bluesy! I loved it.

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Apr 05 2024
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5

Very old style rock. Chuck berry esque, bluesy. Got that swing to it. Great album. 9/10

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Mar 03 2024
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5

Nacimiento de la leyenda. Vinilo.

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Feb 21 2024
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5

Tell me hyvät kitarasoundit 4/5

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Feb 02 2024
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5

This might not have scored as high as it did if I didn't just love hearing where the Rolling Stones came from and their ode to this music. What a great début!

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Feb 02 2024
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5

Very fun to listen to this debut Rolling Stones album. I am certainly more familiar and keen to their original works, but this is one that I needed to listen to before I die.

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Feb 02 2024
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5

While Mick Jagger's literal voice is unmistakable, it's clear the band hasn't found the Rolling Stones' voice quite yet. This sounds like some talented kids imitating their musical heroes. But if you're going to make a list of 1001 albums you must hear before you die, I think you've got to put the Rolling Stones' debut on that list. So even though I wasn't blown away by the music on this album, it's still pretty great and earns 5 stars for historical significance.

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Feb 02 2024
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5

Who are these suited lads looking so dapper? I’m glad this very early Rolling Stones album should be on this list. It’s pretty interesting to hear them as they found their way, and I liked all the covers. Not my favorite Rolling Stones album, but that’s a pretty high bar, and I still enjoyed this a lot.

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Feb 01 2024
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5

You have to look at this album in context of time. R&B performed by white guys was revolutionary in 64. Maybe the 'bad boys' image of the Stones was founded by this album.

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Jan 25 2024
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5

Love it, classic, the template of a band.

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Dec 10 2023
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5

"The Rolling Stones" (1964), the eponymous debut album by the legendary rock band, is a raw and electrifying burst of rhythm and blues energy. From the opening chords of "Route 66" to the soulful cover of Willie Dixon's "I Just Want to Make Love to You," the album captures the youthful exuberance and musical prowess of the early Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger's charismatic vocals, Keith Richards' gritty guitar, and the band's overall synergy make this record an enduring classic. It laid the foundation for the Stones' iconic sound and established them as a force to be reckoned with in the rock 'n' roll scene. "The Rolling Stones" is a 5/5, a landmark debut that set the stage for decades of rock greatness.

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Oct 01 2023
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5

Album 183 of 1001 The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Route 66 Most likely, if The Rolling Stones had never released another album after this I wouldn't rank it the same...but they did. This album is often panned because it is just cover tunes. That doesn't really matter to me. It is an enjoyable record. This was at a point of time where a lot was going on in the music world. Give a band a break for trying to find their place. Their cover of Route 66 is one of my favorites of all time. Quite comfortable putting this album up there with those I find most enjoyable. Nobody is talking about giving them writing awards for this. It is just good bluesy entertainment.

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Jul 28 2023
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5

El començament d'una llegenda. Per més anys que passin, això continua sonant igual de desgarvat, rebel, sorollós i irresistible. 5 estrelles no només pel que va significar, sinó per la seva pròpia vàlua com a àlbum. Versions que milloren les originals, originals que marcaven l'emprempta d'una de les millors societats compositives de la història. Oblidant tot el que el futur depararia, el treball per si mateix ja mereix el seu propi lloc a la història

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Jul 11 2023
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5

They should have quit while they were ahead.

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Jul 10 2023
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5

Super Album pour une premier j'ai adoré. 5

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Jun 08 2023
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5

This is the kind of stuff that I was hoping to hear a ton of with this list. Mona- I thought this was Bo Diddley at first. There was another song that sounded just like a chuck berry song.

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May 27 2023
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5

Oh what a stellar album. I’m new to most Rolling Stones but as far as debuts go, this is way better than most. Perfect and timeless.

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May 03 2023
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5

What a completely unexpected debut for the Rolling Stones! These blue classics just fly through my headphones though. Very important piece of music history, and an album very well deserving of this distinction. Favorite track: Carol

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Apr 26 2023
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5

Peerless and answers the question for me of comparisons to The Beatles - how can you compare apples to oranges?

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Feb 22 2023
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5

From the very beginning the Stones had a raw and decadent sound, the crude production adds rather subtracts. Sure it relies heavily on covers but that's just a reflection of those times. Easily the best of their early albums.

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Feb 07 2025
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4

Early Stones! "Tell me" was the stand out for me.

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Feb 03 2025
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4

It's been interesting to get early albums by the Beatles and the Stones back to back. I marked the Beatles down for half the album being covers, but the reality was it was the covers just being a bit... whisper it... average. I found this mostly covers album much more enjoyable. Jagger's vocals, and the energy of the performances, plus a better choice of songs channeling their love of American R&B makes this much more of an essential album for me. The Beatles plodding their way through Please Mr Postman just can't hold up to the likes of Not Fade Away and I Just Want To Make Love to You just a year later.

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Jan 16 2025
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4

It was really good to hear the first Stones album and then think about their uber-famous songs and how much they have changed over the years. I liked the bluesy vibe to this one.

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Dec 29 2024
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4

The beginning of an era but nothing ridiculously special about this album.

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Dec 27 2024
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4

Lots of blues with lots of covers. I like it! It's a fun album.

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Dec 20 2024
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4

fun, I wasnt familiar with their earlier work, its different but i really enjoyed it

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Dec 18 2024
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4

My third stones album in as many months... This is my favourite yet, raw and bluesy. I have found some of their stuff a bit too HONKY TONKY and not really my thing, this was decent though!

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Dec 18 2024
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4

I wasn't too excited going into this one, because of the low reviews and my general feelings towards The Rolling Stones I actually really prefered this album to their other stuff!!! I knew a lot of the songs, I enjoyed their covers, and I thought the sound suited them. It did sound a bit Beatles-ish at times but that's why I liked it! A very pleasant surprise 4 ⭐️

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Dec 06 2024
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4

A tribute album to the greats of the blues. Of course their covers just aren’t quite the same but it’s impressive nonetheless - and with a British twist. For a debut album in 1964 it’s aged pretty brilliantly.

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Dec 06 2024
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4

Kurde no, spoko jest ten album, chyba jednak lubię Stonesów :-> Ma pazur, dobrze mi się go słucha, po prostu. Teksty nie są szczególnie ambitne, ale też nie mają być. Są smart, zapadają w pamięć i nie dziwi mnie, że wiele z nich stało się klasykami (wyobrażam sobie, że dobrze się je odśpiewuje tłumem na konertach). Chłopaki ewidentnie inspirują się U.S.A od samego początku, jest Rock & Roll, jest vibe country, ogólnie mocny 'murican vibe. Mam wrażenie, że dobrze bym się bawił na koncercie Stonesów, kupuję ich energię i lubię wokal Jaggera. Słabsze 4, ale 4.

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Dec 01 2024
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4

A really good album that tells you where the Stones are headed. 4 stars or B+.

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Nov 13 2024
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4

fun listen... they kicked so much more ass than the beatles in this era

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Nov 11 2024
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4

Classic rock. Very much a bluesy rock vibe. Simple but done well.

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Nov 10 2024
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4

It's a classic - I prefer the UK version with Not Fade Away.

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Oct 31 2024
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4

Rhythm & Blues covers with a couple of original compositions - this group shows promise and could go far

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Oct 31 2024
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4

I hadn’t listened to this one previously. I can see why they then grew from here. You always hear about the stones roots in blues etc. very evident in this recording.

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Oct 28 2024
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4

The Stones aren’t in their final form but I can see how this must’ve riled up the Beatles fans and introduced them to some blues.

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Oct 25 2024
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4

Sick album. Route 66 is awesome. Fun listen. This sounds like young rolling stones and they are rockin. 4 stars

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Oct 25 2024
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4

Beach rocky blues! Cool to listen to the first Stones album. Crazy that they are still alive and motoring 60 years later. Enjoyed this more than I expected cause I'm not a huge Stoner.

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Oct 13 2024
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4

Thought o was listening to Lee hooker but lo and behold it's the rolling stones plundering. But oddly original and well crafted. 4 stars.

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Oct 11 2024
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4

I mean it's the rolling stones! Good album

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Oct 02 2024
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4

I think it's a really important album from a historical perspective, as it's one of the albums that, while not as good as the original versions of these songs, introduced them to an audience that wouldn't have known about these songs at the time and was part of the launching pad for what has become modern music. As for how enjoyable it actually is to listen to now, I'd say it's about a 3, but the historical importance brings it up to a 4. I get why it's on the list, but it makes little sense out of context of it's time for why it's on the list.

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Sep 28 2024
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4

I'm giving this a four largely because it is a white British band repackaging American blues in a high quality way for a worldwide audience. It's a mystery to me -- other than flat out racism -- as to why the blues greats weren't appreciated in the USA in the 50s and 60s... they are now revered, as they should be.

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Sep 25 2024
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4

Just like what I said for the yardbirds: this has a lot of very palatable (if slightly forgettable) blues rock. Easy listening.

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Sep 15 2024
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4

Jaunty jangly Stones. I prefer the more bluesy souly tracks. Love a half hour album. Top tracks: I’m a king bee (kinda sexy) Walkin the Dog (vibes), You Can Make it if you try (more bluesy)

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Aug 26 2024
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4

Je hoort het potentieel van de band, gewoon echt lekkere muziek, weinig minpunten te bedenken, behalve dat er maar 1 origineel nummer op staat.

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