The Rolling Stones

hell yeah man

There is a lot of old Delta Blues type of songs on here mixed with some that clearly have a Chuck Berry influence. There are a bunch of good songs, but I don't think it's their best work. They hadn't come into their own yet.

2.4/5 I like a lot of Rolling Stones' songs and none of them are on this album - it was stunningly mediocre. Best track: I honestly couldn't care less

Basic bluesrock

very blue-sy. will listen to again

I don’t like the stones

When the blues came to Britain, the bands adopted accents but added a certain schoolboy shrillness to the tunes. It couldn't have lasted, and a good thing, too: The Stones would eventually emerge fully-formed. Here, there is distinctly less them and more time & place. The album has the urgency of a debut, essential in the vital sense if not capital-g Great.

mid

I love the tones and production of this record. Despite being covers it's still full of personality and the one track that isn't a cover is great. It's got a great blues sound overall, and as the Rolling Stones debut it's an important album. However as it's almost entirely covers, it doesn't stand as strongly as their other records, or the records of the decade.

Stronger tracks and the beginning and end, a couple of weaker tracks in the middle, overall solid debut.

Just great classic rock and roll

Very raw, just haphazard- no hint they’ll be any good later.

This is the stones before they changed rock music. Before they separated themselves from the Beatles and weren’t another English band making hits. This is when they were about the blues and did a bit more covers. Overall it’s good. It’s the stones but this isn’t the type of music that made them famous. This is the stuff that showed they could be great. 6.6/10

On the list because of what came later

Good collection of rhythm & blues songs although almost all of them are covers and nothing is really outstanding. I think if it wasn't a Rolling Stones album, it wouldn't be on the list. Since it is the band's debut, it's part of the rock history, of course.

they’re so overrated

Nice one but better Stones albums came later

The album that launch one of the greatest band of all times First of all its safe to say that this is a cover album, with only 1 Jagger/Richard composition, with moslty blues, ol’ rock n roll and RNB cover. Its perfecly encapsulate the early 60’s british blues boom, and they did the cover very well. I would say that if it wasn’t the Stones first album we woulnd’t talking about it here, like its not a particularly incredible or original reccord, we all know how good the stones are going to become a few years later, but its their first step so there is a symbol in this album. The groovy I just wanna make love to you (Willie Dixon), the instrumental now i’ve got a witness ( by Nanker Phelge wich is a nickname for the band, that they use during those years), Carol (Chuck Berry) and Tell me (their only credited song on this album) are all my favorite songs of this reccord. Overall is a good, but not a great RNB-Blues Rock album, the Stones first show us their talent and groove, but its not enough to tell yet how great they are.

Simple, straightforward skiffle-pop-blues, that’s likable enough, but not a great deal more. Though substantially better than any record this lot have released in 40 years, it’s not an especially auspicious or impressive debut (and certainly not much of a harbinger of what was to come in the ensuing decade). Certainly the song choices are middle of the road. The mysterious cover is actually an accurate promise: accessible, on-trend music, that’s much less edgy than it wants to be, presented by clever, hip-dressing and well-marketed cultural appropriators.

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.

this is a banger of a debut album. good shite

Why did the Rolling Stones turn into one of the biggest bands in the world? Could it be that in 1964 they came out rocking with some really solid R&B influenced music and not the sappy sweet pop or boring as shit folk of the day? This isn't their best album by far but you can hear the great things to come here.

Weird. I've had both Banquet and Let it Bleed in recent weeks and this....... well, it's not the same is it. They were clearly an accomplished covers band, but little sign here of the satanic majesty to come. Fine, but doesn't need to be on the list.

Debut album. Didn't know they started out doing blues covers but it sounded good

Not a huge rolling stones fan. It has a few alright moments, but not much musical creativity

Love

Interesting piece of history, you can hear the band developing the idea of their sound. It is however, a covers album and ultimately I probably would rather listen to other artists play most of the tracks.

Not good, not bad

3.5

I don't know if I can rate this higher than a 3 anyway because while its enjoyable, it's a cover album and they sound like they're trying to be Black and southern. Honestly it's good but it's hard to parse out if that's because the songs/the blues are so good. Can I Get a Witness is particularly strange sounding.

Favourite tracks: route 66; I just want to make love to you; mona; carol

Pretty forgettable besides the one tremolo riff.The rest of the songs are forgettable unfortunately.

Even this early stuff shows great promise of what was to come…

Not my favourite era, but a nice foreshadowing of what they would become.

In their debut, they already stand out among their peers as a prime boy band faithful to the blues and rockabilly but offering more energetic, grittier vocals, and jangly catchy melodies. They nail a lot of the covers on here, and their original song "Tell Me" has to plenty to offer despite being modeled after other pop music of the era. Half the songs hardly stick out, and I can't say any of them will leave a lasting impression on me like their later albums do, but it's good and consistent, especially in 1964 standards. Favorites: Mona, I'm a King's Bee, Carol, Tell Me

Short and sweet debut.

Stones. No thanks.

A decent rocking half hour. And fun to hear where this larger than life band started out!

“British Blues invasion” rock n roll blues covered early on by The Stones. None of the classic Jagger/Richards songs, but solid blues rock n roll and it has Brian Jones on form on it.

Tough start, but I'll give these guys the benefit of the doubt. Who knows, maybe they'll produce the greatest song of all time. Maybe it'll start with a G and end with imme Shelter. Time will only tell.

C- Route 66 2 I Just Want to Make Love to You 2 Honest I Do 2 Mona (I Need You Baby) 2 Now I've Got a Witness 2 Little By Little 2 I'm a King Bee 2 Carol 2 Tell Me 3 Can I Get a Witness 2 You Can Make It If You Try 3 Walking the Dog 2 This was really bad. The only song that was remotely good was Tell Me because it's the only original song on the album.

Why

Mostly covers, but a solid debut album

“Keee-eef! Keee-eef! I’ve forgotten - who writes our songs?” The nasal chicken tones resound. “Eeeerrr - I’ve forgotten, Mick - does it matter? Keef snorts! I think it matters here! There may be shades of raw talent and energy - and a reminder that they started off as a blues band but it’s an album of covers. Maybe a later and more original album would be a better choice. I like early RS but we don’t need to chart their whole journey. Unless you’re saying how wonderful it is that some middle class white boys are singing R&B - cue rolling of eyes.

From a perspective of "needing" to hear where the most enduring, most emblematic "rock n' roll" band got its start, this merits inclusion on the list. But I don't know that it's one of the all-time great albums. I did take a minute to check out two lists ranking the Stones albums in order of "best to worst" and this landed in the 10th and 7th spot. So, OK. I enjoyed it enough, but can't bring myself to thinking it remarkable. I wasn't caught up in the energy. I thought, had these guys not turned into THE ROLLING STONES and only put out three or four albums, this might be regarded as an interesting attempt to bridge Delta Blues with English tea, and for that reason would be a curiosity. I certainly didn't hear the atom that became the explosion, so what do I know? It sounded like Charlie was still learning "Carol" at the time this was recorded and hearing the Bo Diddly shuffle seems so tired to my ears (I get that it was novel back in 1964) — I guess I was most amazed that nothing stood out as remarkable. I don't mean that as a diss. It's just that, to me, the Stones are at their dirty best when the personality of the band shines through, and on this record, that was not quite yet developed.

Meh. I mean, as a collection of covers goes, it's all right. They do have some decent versions of blues and R&B standards (Mona and I Just Want to Make Love to You are highlights). Their original is cool. But as an album anyone needs to hear before they die... no. If these guys didn't go on to become The Friggin' Rolling Stones, this would never have made the list.

Album 183 of 1001 The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Rating : 4 / 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.

I always forget that the Stones started out as a straight-forward blues band, playing down-the-middle covers of blues standards. They were proficient at doing so, with the proper levels of attitude, but it's not all that interesting, is it? If this album wasn't by "The Rolling Stones", would it be on the list? I'm not convinced it would be, and will stick to Sticky Fingers, myself.

Crazy how these white English boys made a record that's 70 percent rhythym and blues covers and they're somehow the visionaries.

The Stones are legendary, respect their legacy and all that. This album is certainly one important piece of music history. But to be fair, it isn't really my kinda jam although it definitely is great. Anyway it's awesome that after all these years that they're still relevant, touring and releasing new music. Nothing else but respect for the gentlemen

Probably the best of the Stones LPs on here because it keeps things nice and simple instrumentally, and generally respects women lyrically.

Yes it’s the Rolling Stones but not sure why their album of blues covers is on this list, apart from it being their first album? Surely their later work is more worthwhile once they’ve refined their blues influences into their signature sound. No disrespect to the Stones but I’m talking stars off this one. If you want to highlight blues music pick one by one of the OG blues musicians from Chicago or the Delta.

Decent enough now!

Love the stones but this wasn't for me

Classic rock and or roll from the very beginning

Wow these white British boys sure do make Black American blues music sound digestible to white audiences. All joking aside, this album sounds great and is a lot of fun. They already have a Rolling Stones sound.

Solid debut album! Good performances of good blues tunes.

Meh. Nothing really stood out as good

As others have noted this is an album of covers and is only noteworthy for what they did later on. Having said that they're decent covers that laid the foundations.

very good

As this is an album almost entirely of covers, I expected it to be a bit underwhelming and not a touch on some of the original blues tracks on which the songs are based. That wasn't really the case. There's enough personality and unique flavour here, and also hints of what's to come, that it's a thoroughly enjoyable album on its own merits.

Surprised this is here. A couple decent songs, but far from essential Stones. Tell Me is great, the rest so so.

The experience of listening to this album was not worth the amount of effort I had to put in just to hear it, since it's a bit hard to search for a self titled album by a band that put out like 50 fucking albums over the course of human history. I went to all the trouble to download it, just to hear them doing a bunch of mediocre covers of popular songs. This album isn't bad, but the Rolling Stones were pretty half-baked as a band at this point. You can see some little bits of what they would become here, and Mick's charisma has apparently always been securely in place. Rating this becomes a bit of a challenge, because I think this is a 2 star album if I don't know what this band is going to become, but it's a 3 star album if I think about the band getting the elements in place to become truly great. 2/5 I'm sorry, Rolling Stones, but your debut was not very good

Few bangers and a history lesson

I like some of The Rolling Stones hits, but am overall not a fan, especially if Mic Jagger. This album was just covers of songs that the originals were better.

There are much more relevant Rolling Stones albums than the first one. That said, its not a bad album. 3/5

was good album, doesn't do much for me apart from the opening track. looking for a lil more rock and a lil less roll if u catch my drift.

What you’d expect from an album from this era.

A shy start for a famous band.

One of the best Stones albums. Some bands are just better when they are limited. More money led to more bloat for the Stones, whereas this raw album is full of life and excitement. Would have five stars bit for a lot of cover versions!

A pile of cover songs of old rock and blues bands. Only one original Stones song and it's not a very memorable one. The performance is fine, but this album is nowhere near their best.

That was awful. Thank God they got better!

2/5. Cover albums are never good, just one song here and there might stand out but only because of the great songwriting of the original. Sure this has some chaotic energy but nothing to write home about. It's not a 1 because it's at least enjoyable.

I like The Rolling Stones but I did not like this album. Generic blues does almost nothing for me.

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.

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,

히히히

Not my vibe, I feel like it would’ve been more effective if the songs were in a different order

Nice

Makes more sense once I looked up that this was their first album. Decent blues covers, but nothing thrilling.

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.

Album of covers with one (maybe 2?) exceptions. It’s… good. In the context of the time maybe it was a lot more groundbreaking for a bunch of pasty English fellows to be singing and playing these songs and the talent is evident, but for me, now, it’s OK.

Good, maybe not the Stones i was expecting. I could see the Beatles comparison more on this record.

It’s fine. Too many covers for me to feel it really should be included on this list. But nothing wrong with it.

Interesting to listen to such an early album! How far this band has come from the blues and early rock that is played here. It's a bit too early in the evolution of rock form my personal tastes, but it was quite fun to hear the seed of their greatness.

Dirty, lo-fi Stones are great. Love the track Honest I Do. KR stands out on most of their future albums as the powerhouse behind the band, but MJ really shines with his limitless energy and full-tilt range on this. The bud of a future rockstar... and backed up with some down and dirty guitar ... great album.

The Rolling Stones’ debut is primarily blues covers. It’s pretty neat that the music of black blues artists from the 1940s American South made its way across the pond and inspired young British guys to play their songs and then set off on a musical journey of their own, bouncing those sound waves back across the ocean and beyond. It’s also weird for a lot of complicated social and cultural reasons. From what I gather, the Stones were very open about crediting these artists and acknowledging their influence. I appreciate those efforts, and appreciate this collection of songs that includes a few absolute classics.

This album clearly demonstrates The Stones’ blues roots. Comprised almost entirely of blues covers, there is little rock of their later, signature blues rock sound. The songs are fine. I don’t think the boys added much to the blues ambiance. They played/sang the songs with skill but I don’t feel the blues.

Sometimes sounds like country music icl Harmonica plays a star role in a few songs Variety in songs across album not too similar Guitar was sexy Vibed a little and made me look at their broader discography which was better

Pretty standard 60s rock. Am enjoyable but not outstanding album

Just a few covers of black musicians which did it better

The seeds are there.

A great debut by The Rolling Stones. It's great to hear how far have they come from their true blues roots with this album and the changes that they made in moving onto their later albums. Not to mention how clean-cut they look on the cover of the album! Whilst the album is mainly covers, you can see how they were able to capture the zeitgeist of the youth of the 60s. Bringing a fresh spin on blues classics, with more of a guitar heavy feel, such a great vibe. Best: Route 66 Worst: Little By Little 4.5 Stars

I enjoyed the rave-up blues numbers, which I have a fondness for through my dad's love of the Yardbirds, but when "Tell Me" starts we can clearly hear something very new emerging.

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

This album's success is entirely underwriten by the black artisits that contributed the original songs for the Stones to then cover. It has arguably 3 songs writtn by the Stones, and so its pretty damn disengenious to call this a product of them, let alone to call them England's Newest Hit Makers. I think this is one of the few albums on this list to actually make me mad.

Un poco largo.

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.

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.

This is a pretty unforgettable debut album. All of the songs are middling covers, with the only original song on the album being Tell Me, and thankfully its one of the best tracks. If this album was done by any other band it would not appear on this list, but I'm guessing that because its by purportedly "The greatest rock and roll band in the world" it got a pity vote by the authors. This review will probably piss off my fellow co-judges who are huge Stones fans, but there it is :)

Here's the thing about those early Rolling Stones albums. As with a lot of the early English invasion bands, their aim was to make the music they loved, which was American rhythm and blues. They mostly failed at it. Except... they failed so well that they created an entirely new sound that ended up being as much a part of the bones of rock and roll as anything that came before them. So this album... it's really good, but the Stones haven't figured out who they want to be musically yet. This is an album almost entirely of covers, the majority of which come nowhere near the originals. It is a credit to the Stones' talent that they can make an attempt at a Chuck Berry and a Bo Diddley cover on the same album and not get laughed out of the music industry. The songs are actually pretty great if you're considering them on their own merits and not measuring them against the originals. It would take a few years for the band to hit their stride, but this is a solid start. Fave Songs: Carol, Little by Little, Tell Me (You're Coming Back), Mona (I Need You Baby), I Just Want to Make Love to You

rock

This is a good album but not really sure why it's included on this list, unless it's just because it was the Stones' debut album. They do a great job with these covers but that's mainly all this has on it. Their one original wasn't the strongest. I'm a big Rolling Stones fan and I'm still rating this higher because it's an enjoyable album but still not sure why it would be one of the top 1,001. Standout Tracks: Route 66, Mona (I Need You Baby), Little By Little, Can I Get a Witness, Walking the Dog

p72. 1964. 2.5 stars. Adequately done Brit 60s R&B, let down by the fact it's mostly covers, and none of them are an improvement on the originals. Probably on the list because of what they became, rather than the quality of this album.

The Stones’ debut album showcases little original songwriting from the band, but they actually make it really entertaining.

Sounded good but very average. This clearly is not what made The Rolling Stones big.

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.

Meh

Solid for a first album, but know what comes leads to a lower overall rating as their style developed

Best Song: Walking The Dog. In a crowded place, I would clap along to this if everyone else was doing it. Worst Song: Honest I Do. I hate this white boy blues. Overall: Why would you have a song called "Now I've Got A Witness" occur earlier in the album than a song called "Can I Get A Witness"? That kind of lazy oversight is emblematic of what I find wrong with most of this album. There really doesn't seem to be more thought put into it than to take a classic bluesy sound and bleat it out with big British bravado. Oh and don't forget to pepper the lyrics with clumsy and oblique sexual (not sexy) references, as in the awful "I'm a King Bee". Can't believe these geriatrics became billionaires off of lines like "I can buzz all night long".

I enjoyed this one quite a lot. A legendary and influential rock band for the ages.

Probably inspired a million garage bands to make heavier rawer better music but this album is fairly repetitive

Is het erg dat ik blij was dat CCR starte na dit album ?

Toen de Stones nog meer blues waren. Goeie plaat

Lots of covers - not the best version of The Stones.

I was unaware that the majority of the songs were covers when listening to the album. I thought it was pretty good, honestly. Not what I was expecting from the Stones but exceeded my expectations somehow.

Ah yes, the oft spoken of blues roots of The Rolling Stones that I have genuinely never heard before. It’s fine, but I prefer their more commercially appalling rock bangers myself.

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

Not a terrible blues album, not my thing

5/12, 42%

It's decent rock and roll, I guess, but mainly just a whole bunch of covers. I'm certain the only reason this is on this list is just because it's The Rolling Stones. "Tell Me" was my favourite track. It was the most interesting musically, with the most distinctive melody. I was pleased when I found out it was the only original on the album, but also not surprised I had a preference for the original without even knowing it was one. I tend to have a good feel for these things. One track doesn't justify it being on the list, though. I found it hilarious that they only listed the songwriters' surnames in the writing credits on Spotify (apart from the original, which they put their full names for). It feels colloquial, more like the way people like them would talk rather than how it would be written in an official writing credit. 2 stars because I didn't find this horrible to listen to. I enjoy this style of music. Favourite track: Tell Me

The influence on rock music that the Rolling Stones had through the 60’s and beyond is undoubtable. Lots of bands that we know and love wouldn’t exist as we know them if the Rolling Stones didn’t pave the way. That being said, I can’t say I’ve ever been much of a fan of them. I can appreciate how important they have been, but I always found the music itself somewhat basic. Let’s listen to an album in full and see how it feels. Songs I already knew: I Just Want To Make Love To You Favourites: Mona (I Need You Baby), I Just Want To Make Love To You My feelings unfortunately remain pretty much the same as before I listened. my appreciation is unchanged, but I can’t say I loved this album. It was decent, but I don’t expect I’ll be returning to listen again. I found the final song (Walking The Dog) quite annoying, but everything else was fine. I just wish I could see beyond “fine” into what it is that others see too.

Blues'rock

A chier les stones à l'époque

I suppose even the greats need to start somewhere

I wasn't a huge fan of this, tbh.

Its full of covers. They are good but the album only a couple original songs. Hardly worth considering a Stones classic. Its enjoyable but unoriginal. 3.5/5

Too new and young to be impressive, but one star for the youth and energy.

Neither loved nor hated this. I like later Stones albums better, but this was still pretty good for mid 60's rock.

This album wasn't bad. I liked it alright, but some songs were pretty forgettable. Overall, I don't see any reason to come back to this, but it's decent enough. 2.5/5

The earliest Stones stuff barely sounds like the version of the band we’ll know and love, most notably since they didn’t write most of it- only one Jagger/Richards contribution, and it’s no “Paint it Black”. Still pretty charming 60s rock and roll, but I’d take what they would do a couple of years later anyday. B-

For me just a nice cover album (with apparently three own composition) with the originals being in general better. Only important because what they did later.

Rather meh for now. They should've put "Can I Get a Witness" as the opener and "Now I've Got a Witness" as the closer, hehe. Those two had the most enjoyable melody for me. It's not bad, but not memorable. I liked more songs from Aftermath.

Pretty mediocre debut from this band. As another review said, probably pretty good back in its day, but now 60 years removed it hasn't aged well.

Ça sonne comme un bon album de Rolling Stone, pas grand chose de plus à dire. 7/10

Early Stones. This shit rocks. Each and every track shows why the band has longevity in the business and is a testament to 1960s rock n roll.

This is all very strong work. A better album than others we've heard of the same period. But at the same time, no real stand outs. I can give this an easy 3. It's maybe a 3.5. A very easy listen, but not a lot to chew on.

Man, I could listen to this over and over again. In terms of the British blues boom, this feels like it's near the top of tree. Great song selection and variety, the band sounds tight, but best of all is Mick Jagger. It may be their first album but already he sounds slithery, fey and dangerous. 'Tell Me' is probably the weakest joint here but it's fine, if slightly generic 60s beat pop. There are great versions of 'Carol', 'Route 66' and personal highlight, 'I'm a King Bee' - so yeah, four, verging on five stars.

Mostly with Alex on this one (though I like “Tell Me”!) in that this is all about Jagger. It’s easy to imagine superior versions of these songs being performed by Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis or somebody else from the 50’s, but… there is something about what Jagger’s doing here that makes these versions unique enough to stand apart. His whole approach to this type of music is just different, almost like he doesn’t belong at the table at first but then somehow wins you over. Really wonder what the old school American blues heads must’ve thought of this guy and this band when they first broke. Must’ve been an interesting time. Anywho, really liked “Can I get a Witness” and did not like “Now I’ve got a Witness.” It’s weird that they sequences the latter before the former on the record, but hey man it was the 60s man.

I wasn’t expecting that

They should have quit while they were ahead.

Super Album pour une premier j'ai adoré. 5

It's an ok album that's bluesy and the tracks are only covers. It's definitely not the best album by The Rolling Stones and I think most of their albums before Aftermath can be skipped

Pretty solid but I've heard too much music that sounds just like it to give it a 5. I'm aware that's my problem and not the album but

Route 66, I Just Want To Make Love To You, Mona, King Bee, Carol (best song), Can I Get A Witness (Hell yeah brother) and Walking the Dog. Like the early Beatles, just covers but great. A couple aren’t as in par with others but very enjoyable to me. 9/10

more bowlcut british pop. the length of the album is respectful of my finite time on this earth. none of my favorite rolling stones songs are on this. it grew on me and i like it better than the beatles. weak 4 I'm a king bee, walking the dog

Decent album, often boring and nothing special. Nowhere close to the quality of early Beatles or the Who. FS: Walking the Dog, both Witness songs

Genres: Blues rock, British R&B Formed: London, England in 1962 Run time: 12 songs, 32 min, 56 sec The debut studio album by the English rock band. Spotify: Least popular song: over 1.3M Most popular song: almost 10M plays. Not a massively popular album, given just how influential they would become in Rock. There were two original compositions on the album and the other ten were covers of Blues/R&B standards. They were responsible for bringing predominantly black Blues/R&B music to white British listeners. And we must thank them (and others) for doing that. Most of the tracks on this are covers and have subsequently been covered by lots of artists since. It’s hard to imagine the significance of this album today, but given that the Stones are still around it must have been the start of something special. They have just kept evolving and producing amazing tracks and albums since. They are still touring and this album will be 60 years old next year!!! Listen Again?: Possibly My Rating: ****

pretty solid blues album, didn't blow my mind, but good.

I’m sure this was the GOAT on release but times have changed

Early blues sound. Debut was pretty good.

Strong memories of being in my dad’s car in the 80’s listening to this album. There’s a crackling energy to every track that means it flies by Majority covers of course and greater was to come but a great listen nevertheless

This album just screams the 60's in a great way

OK album. Didn't really grab my attention though.

I know it was the standard for blues and rock and roll bands at the time for their first album to be mostly covers so it would be harsh to mark down on that. You can tell they are good musicians, but their covers are bland and uninspired. Really just sounds like some random studio musicians got together for this one.

De la primera etapa Rolling. Ya con ritmos. Sin canciones aún que fuesen fácilmente atribuibles a ellos. Cercano al pop-rock

overall kinda boring? like there's no energy hhere

''I said yea, yea yea yea.'' genius fucking sanoitukset, kynän ääressä urakoitu heh... mick jagger - huuliharppu. englantilaiset pojat koveroi jenkkimusiikkia hohhoijjaa... unremarkable album.. off with the head.....no ok kolme tähteä sillä blues buff heh honest i do

Vier opgeschoten Engelse knullen die vooral covers brengen van Amerikaanse voorbeelden? Dat kan toch nooit wat worden. Maar het voorgaande jaar bewezen de makers van het album 'Please please me' dat zoiets verkocht als warme broodjes. Dus wilde de platenmaatschappij het wel proberen met Mick Jagger en de zijnen. En de rauwe energie spat eraf, ook al zijn het voornamelijk covers, met Amerikaans klinkende dictie en al. Kun je rustig meerdere keren luisteren, het is niet zo zwijmelig als de collegas van EMI-Parlophone ('Mag ik je hand vasthouden?'). En hierna zou al snel blijken dat ze heren ook zelf nummers konden schrijven.

Vind de Stones altijd wel leuk. Dus ook leuk om dit eens te horen. Ben ik echt onder de indruk? Nee. Het klinkt allemaal wat ouderwets Amerikaans. Het mist nog wat kracht.

Net als de Beatles, zijn ook de Stones ietwat gedateerd. Maar de muziek is toch redelijk tijdloos. De opnametechniek en het gebruik van orgeltjes en tamboerijnen maken denk ik dat het gedateerd aanvoelt, maar de muziek verder niet. Het is allemaal lekker uptempo en het swingt fijn. Maar waarom staat dit album eigenlijk in deze lijst? Ze hebben amper nummers erop zelf geschreven, het is feitelijk een coveralbum met een paar eigen composities erop. Er staan geen grote hits op, terwijl ze genoeg albums hebben, die wel hits bevatten. De enige reden die ik kan verzinnen is omdat het het debuutalbum is van de Stones. En debuutalbums, daar gaan de samenstellers van deze lijst erg hard op.

What a treat. Rolling Stones first album, as far as I can tell.

I like this earlier stuff more than I thought I would. It’s definitely interesting, but it feels like they’re still trying to find their sound here.

I'm not as wild about the Stones as most rock fans I know. This album is okay to me, and I can appreciate their love of R&B, blues, and early rock that comes through so clearly here. For my own personal tastes, though, others (usually the earlier performances by other artists) just did it better.

Easy listening and driven classic rock. Tracks read often as chants (Mona, Route 66) of a distinctly 60s percussive ensemble. Guitar stuff is cool. Blues rock is cool. The honky-tonk Witness boogie lays a piano foundation for a vocal highlight. A hour tour down greatness' beginnings. I'm A King Bee is my new personal affirmation.

The essence of a great Rolling Stones album is here, but never actually realized. The songs end up sounding stale and bland before the end, like un-buttered mashed potatoes. Okay, sustaining, but you know it could have been a better meal.

Today's record is the debut studio album by The Rolling Stones. I don't know any of the songs on this record (at least their versions anyways, with most of them being covers of old blues/R&B hits). Even though this is an album of 95% blues covers, The Rolling Stones were instrumental in introducing this blues music to a younger audience. These guys had the "cool rock star" appearance, and were only ~21 years old during the recording of this album. The Beatles had the appearance of preppy school boys, whereas the Stone's looked like a biker gang. Many of the kids that were listening to these guys in their formative years had never heard of blues music before, and were looking to rebel against their parents neat, clean cut, acoustic music of the 50's. From here, it caused a chain reaction, which resulted in so many acts to come such as: The Allman Brothers Band, The Kinks, and Aerosmith to name a few. Overall, maybe not an amazing debut album as far as creativity is concerned, but absolutely important as the beginnings of something huge to come. Favourite songs: Carol, I Just Want To Make Love To You, Walking the Dog, Route 66, You Can Make It If You Try Least favourite song: Honest I Do 4/5

Very different from their later albums cool to see how they changed their sound

Really shows their roots. Pretty good early bluesy rock and roll.

Best rolling album 4

pedras rolantes

Good, but all covers?

Probably the best Stones album I've heard from the list, but not the best Stones music I've heard from the list. Almost entirely cover based, they perform really competently. I can't help but think of it as stolen music though.

AJ: a group of young Brits got the blues and then heard Chuck Berry and they said, “Let’s do that.”

Overall not a bad album. A bit edgier and bluesier than their contemporaries

It's obviously an important album in the history of rock and roll but it's not the best by The Rolling Stones. It's a great glimpse of what was to come though, especially when they started writing more of their own songs.

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.

The debut album from the "Greatest Rock 'n' roll band" is a solid introduction to the band and though it's comprised many of covers, it showcases the raw, enthusiastic sound of a promising bunch of scruffy lads that would make a huge impact on the music history. The performance of these covers is adequate, but the look and sound of the band was unique, and the Stones don't really take off artistically until they find their own style and start writing and performing their own songs. This is a good sampling of their potential and an important album historically and it's an essential listen to hear the band at the beginning before you tackle the rest of their long (and sometimes uneven) discography.

I mean, it's... nah jk this just ain't quite at the level of the other 3 we've already had. Still great. Awesome blues. I have the original British pressing on vinyl!

Solid album. I'd listen to some songs again but not the whole album

Good album. I don’t understand what the infatuation with the harmonica was for in the 60s. Favourite track was “Carol”. Overall 7/10

There is just no way there should 4 albums from one band on this, and I am just a little over half way in.

Off the first track I would have never guessed Stones. Loves the blues influence. Had to immediately listen to the Etta James version of "I just want to" because that's who I most associate with that song. "Tell Me" is by far the weakest song. Decent album, again not sure why it's essential. Great example of a solid debut maybe? 3/5

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.

I’ve never been a huge Rolling Stones fan but this early work is different. Who knows they started with cover songs?

After a terrible week of albums I was glad to see a familiar band. However I have always thought that the stones are a tad overrated. Nothing awful about them I just don’t see what is so incredibly special. Nothing was wrong with this album, rather it was nice to have just a rock one, but nothing stood out.

Objectively it's pretty fascinating hearing this and knowing they (or some of them...3/5? 2/5? i can't keep straight who's dead) are still performing - this sounds like something put into a time capsule a hundred years ago. Almost all are cover songs (ripped off from blues singers) and they're not a great band yet and although it's occasionally pretty cool to listen to it does get old (pun) rather quickly. More of a historical document of what was to come than anything. Roots, baby, roots. 5/10 2.5 stars.

Fave tracks: Route 66, I Just Want To Make Love To You, Mona, Little By Little, Carol Competent first album, though mostly covers 3/5

Giving hope to covers bands everywhere...listening to this perhaps says that initially they were a 'right place right time' kind of act. Also, as the excellent recent BBC documentary revealed, this is also Brian's Stones, playing the music he loved. I can't give an album 90% covers more than three stars, but a 3.5

A solid debut of the blues rock they would go on to improve upon by the time they get to albums like Exile On Main St. I don't know if I would say it's too important of an album in the grand scheme of rock and even the stones discography, but not at all a regrettable listen

It's an interesting listen, to hear where they came from. Covers were a standard thing at the time - the Beatles' early albums were also full of them - so it is not odd that the Stones started with them. I can't mark it up without original songs but the sound is there and we all know where it ended up.

Not the worst Rolling Stones album out there. Enjoyed that it felt more bluegrassy.

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.

Seems an unnecessary entry for this over-represented band. It's the start of it all - so what? It was the same blues retreads as the rest at that point.

Pretty much exactly what'd I'd expect from 60's Rolling Stones. Best word I can think of is just "agreeable". Nothing spectacular. Just... fine.

1964. Route 66

Really enjoyed the cover of Mona. The rest was forgettable. At least, I hope I'll be able to forget it.

Old school British blues. This doesn’t quite sound like the Stones to me yet since it’s almost(?) all covers. Still, it’s fun, gritty, and fast with a clear sound and identity, despite some weak numbers. Best song: Carol

I'm glad their sound evolved beyond this.

Mick Jagger started to become Mick Jagger already on this album...

You can clearly hear the Stones sound but I found the collection of covers a bit boring.

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.

It's hard to assess the Stones without thinking about the Beatles. It's clearly no "Please Please Me", it felt like another iteration of a bunch of boys covering classic blues tracks. Still, their sound which is in a different territory from the Beatles', is evident here. More folk and country based than pop-rock. I think much of their appeal stems from such direction of sound.

Well I guess I had to listen to it before dying as it is the Stones debut, but I guess we can agree that the best was yet to come at this point. Not a bad record but quite forgettable.

I liked this more than I expected. Some amazing stuff was being done in the early '60s, but I tend to prefer music from the latter half of the decade. And then on top of that, this is mostly just covers. But I enjoyed this a lot. But it IS mostly covers, so I can't rank it too high. I could go find a local cover band that could do about as well. That's no knock on the Stones in general, but they didn't become famous by doing covers. 3 1/2 stars. Rounding down because I know there are people that are giving this slightly higher ratings because of the name of the band, not the sound of the album.

Rolling Stones does RnB covers. Loose, but confidently loose performances, if that makes any sense - it has an edge to it. One has to wonder if this album would be well regarded if the band never went on to be as successful. Not really my thing. 2.75

It was fine. Sounded like the Cleveland oldies station.

sure was bluesy rock or rockin blues.

Рівний альбом, добре слухати на фоні

Bello! Molto classico!

Meh

The most interesting part of this is just hearing them as babies trying to find their sound and vibe. It was okay enough, but if this didn't have the name "Rolling Stones" attached it would lose a lot of value.

Excited to hear the debut! But ultimately, just some fun bluesy rock, not much else lol.

not much to say

Pretty standard mid-60's rock n' roll album. Similar to how the Beatles got their start, the Rolling Stones came out with a palette of covers of blues & rock n' roll standards. Not particularly memorable, but still some good tunes. Fave tracks: Money, Stoned

A debut album consisting almost entirely of covers - definitely not something that would be possible even a couple years after it's release, at least for a band that would go on to be as famous as the Rolling Stones. Despite the lack of original songwriting, the covers are well done and certainty do a good job paying tribute to some of the R&B greats. Although I do hope they got the credit they deserved. Fav Tracks: Mona, Can I Get A Witness, Not Fade Away

This album rides a mighty fine line between homage and blatant rip off of black music of the 50s and 60s. Like it might as well be chuck berry but with mick jagger singing. While that means that it’s still pretty good music to listen to, it gets negative originality/uniqueness points. Also doesn’t help that like every single song is a cover. Glad they found their own voice as they released more albums; I t’s still heavily inspired by black artists but it’s way more creative than this.

Loved it!!!

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

Talk about going back to basics. It's insane to think of the longevity that The Rolling Stones have had. To still be considered a household name in 2023 (presumably, I guess I can't speak for anyone below the age of 25), or at least a pop culture legend, is crazy. This record shows you the weight of their legacy and cultural impact. It's very early rock & roll, where everything had tinges of soul, rockabilly, and R&B - begging the question of wow, they were already making music then? The result is nothing mindblowing, more so when compared to their latter work. But it's evident that this album was important in bringing rock to the forefront and making it more palatable to wider audiences. You listen to it and gain a better understanding of why The Rolling Stones are, and have been as influential as they are. While it's not one of the best albums of all time, it's a music history lesson that absolutely needs to be heard. Standouts are I Just Want to Make Love to You, I'm a King Bee, and You Can Make It If You Try.

Competently performed rhythm and blues, and admittedly it’s refreshing to hear a British group from this time NOT slavishly trying to copy the Beatles. But the Stones hadn’t quite found their spark yet, though this isn’t a terrible first step down that path.

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

Solid blues rock

En extra poäng för lite banbrytande inom genren

Bara covers? Men ändå härligt!

Perfectly serviceable first album, but nothing that stands out to me.

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

Not Fade Away is the only Jagger/Richards written song. Little by Little was written for the Rolling Stones. The rest of the album contains covers. They do well with the covers and make them Rolling Stones songs, but their more original works later are much better. 3/5

Fine

It's the rolling stones

It was just okay.

Not a good one. Few covers and one good song

bien bien 7.5/10

Buen r&r, se nota que estaban desarrollando su estilo

4.0 - I guess I’m a sucker for bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Rolling Stones. No, they didn’t write these songs. Yes, it’s white kids capitalizing on black music. But I like it.

classic

Good basic blues rock. If it was some other band, the album wouldn't be on this list, but I suppose it has historical significance since it is the first Stones album. My favorite track is probably I'm a King Bee (I'm just a fan of this song in general).

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

Fine enough listen. Not a big fan of albums that are mostly covers so that dented the score a bit. I'm sure this band will have plenty better albums still to come on the list

Not such a fan of this as i am their later work. Theres signs of something to come, but just a bland album of some good blues covers

Great tunes but did they rip off Black American artists, or bring them to attention? Rock n roll.

Its a great introduction to The Rolling Stones, but due to the amount of covers it seems slight compared to the rest of their discography.

Bra energi. Kan nog bli nåt.

I imagine at the time this came out it would have been pretty revolutionary. It is fun and it rocks

Such a significant album, still tough to get through.

It might be somewhat interesting as a document of where the stones came from but this is a bad album, one I could not wait to be over. Not sure why it's on this list.

What a listener! Great to hear these old blues tracks where the stones got their fame with

I just don’t really care for it.

I'm not surprised to see a Rolling Stones album on this list of course, but I am a bit surprised to see this one. It's basically an album of cover versions of some great rock n' roll/R&B classics with a few originals mixed in that are basically throw-aways. The Stones do a nice job with the classic covers, and it's clear how much they love these songs, but it's not really anything special. 3 stars.

This combo goes all right.

catchy tunes and blues classics

2.75

It's early Stones. Some OK songs. The album isn't terrible.

Unexceptional. A product of its time

Not bad for a covers band

Increíble

Genre: Classic rock Review: The origins of one of the best artists ever. And it shows. The tracks here are quite crude and u unassured but the Rolling Stones sound is clearly there. Can't wait to get into more of their albums, sure to come up in upcoming recommendations. Rating: 8/10

Rolling Stones before they found their sound. Honestly "their sound" itself isn't quite my thing, and this particular album, seemingly a cover album, even less so. 2/5

The Surcoting Stones continuent leur bout de chemin dans le générateur en ne convainquant personne sur leur passage.

Je croyais avori déjà noté ce nouvel album insipide des Stones, qui s'inscrit encore un peu plus dans l'histoire en tant que groupe le plus surcôté de tous les temps.

6/10 not bad but I’m glad that they went on to better things

7/10. Ah, the Rolling Stones before they gathered any moss.

Seems like a waste of a spot on this list. 6/10

24th March 2023 Listened during the day on Friday while doing bits around the house before Rita show and Gareth staying. One of the greatest bands announce their arrival with blues and rock and roll covers. Yet to fully hit their stride, 3.5 if I could.

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.

The Stones are some of the biggest shysters in rock's history.

It was alright. All the songs were covers. It wasn't really classic Stones but that is understandable for their first album.

boring

It’s just… blues covers. Cool raw energy tho and I liked Route 66. Got old after a while

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.

More rolling stones. Again. And they're only doing covers at this point. Why on EARTH is this on a list of most essential albums of all time?!

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

Nice bluesy songs, too bad I don't like Mick Jagger's voice all that much

Our fifth Rolling Stones album and the fourth one I give 4 stars. Again, it's a lot bluesier than their best-known hits and it makes for a very solid, enjoyable album. But it's not amazing either. More of a great background listen than a real headturner.

3.5

Thanks the Blues and give it something of your own, that is a tried and true, surefire path to success. I like hearing the embryonic phases of bands like this. Nice one Stones.

It's quite bare bones and slight in its way, but you can sense the power and the fun behind all of it. The first Jagger-Richards song is great, and their reading of some of the Blues classics is near-faultless.

Just okay. Rooted in Blues is great if you're good at Blues.

This album was meh for me. Clearly very influential, but because of that I feel like I've already heard these songs done with better twists to them.

2.5 stars it was fine

Very bluesy, not my favourite

It was okay

I can understand how pivotal that record is for the Stones' career (and for British rock in general). But even with that in mind, you won't see me include an album mostly made out of covers in my own list (except for Nina Simone--but Nina's artistry, knack for stellar arrangements, and vital performance easily explain this rare exception here). These are the Rolling Stones albums I *will* include in my list: Aftermath Beggars Banquet Let It Bleed Sticky Fingers Exile On Main Street I think that with those five albums, I pay enough attention to such a legendary band. So let's give some room to other artists, shall we? Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 650, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens:  approximately a half so far  Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter (including this one)

Great start to something truly amazing

Solid

very 60s rock, seemingly sans the usual psychedelic influences prevalent in the era. I have, embarrassingly, not listened to TRS' early music but do not find it surprising to see them start their discography strongly. Its always refreshing to see an album almost entirely composed of songs just over the two minute mark. no faff no filler, just a group of guys jamming out in the recording studio with raspy vocals, twangy guitar and a healthy amount of harmonica usage. 7/10 'Route 66' & 'I just want to make love to you' - upbeat and vibey, strong openers to an album. 'now I've got a witness' - nice instrumental piece 'little by little' & 'Carol' - some standouts through the album with 'Carol' Being my favourite after 'Route 66'. the album makes me want to be on a road trip, windows down, music blaring driving under the summer sun.

This album was a lot of fun! It was blusier than I expected in some portions, while also sounding more like the beach boys than I expected in others.

I have never gotten in to The Rolling Stones. This is the third album of theirs I have pulled on this, after Exiled on Main Street and Let it Bleed. I like this one way more than the others, a bit more straightforward rock 'n' roll. Maybe the early Stones are for me. Even the one original song of theirs is a good one. Really enjoyed listening to this.

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).

Heartfelt covers and all, but the most promising thing here is the Jagger/Richards original "Tell Me." Almost sounds like it could be an outtake from "Aftermath" or "Between The Buttons."

Rolling Stones do Blues/R&B. If this was a one-off band you'd go "Hey Rolling Stones, they did that one album that was pretty good Blues Rock." Unfortunately we know they have much higher trajectory ahead of them, but standalone it's solid and enjoyable. Route 66 is probably the best track.

Kinda hilarious to compare this record to the precision of what the beach boys were making at the time. But the swagger is all there.

My mum was a big fan of The Rolling Stones, can't say I'm overly familiar with this album but it's a debut and a good fun listen. Route 66 is great and Walking The Dog is a fave.

Eh, kinda interesting from a historical perspective, but pretty cringe. The only non-cover is a stinker. Fave track - uh, "Now I've Got a Witness" maybe? I don't think there's anything I'll be rushing back to revisit....

It's alright I guess

The only 60s British group that understood the soul of American blues, which was the seed to their understanding of what rock n roll was supposed to be. Loved this collection of blues and rock tunes.

Enjoyable blues/rock and roll album with catchy songs and a great runtime

Highlights: "Mona," "Route 66" This was a hot seller, but not a strong debut. It's a touchstone of cultural appropriation, the three originals being the weakest on the album. The only cover that seems to add an edge is what "Route 66" does with Berry's take on the lounge original. "King Bee" and "Mona," which would seem a highlight, are nearly identical to their source. There's little to appreciate here, even for its time.

classic

Lots of Chuck Berry influence (some doo wop and soul as well) in the Rolling Stones' first album. Though most of this album is covers, they are clearly students of the blues. Where the Beatles are polished (and writing their own songs) the Rolling Stones are loose and more interested in getting across a certain attitude. Once again, we see English students influenced by Black American music which is pretty great considering the racial tensions in the US at the time.