Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
1968
Album Summary
Beggars Banquet is the 7th British and 9th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 6 December 1968 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. It was the first Rolling Stones album produced by Jimmy Miller, whose production work formed a key aspect of the group's sound throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Brian Jones, the band's founder and early leader, had become increasingly unreliable in the studio due to his drug use, and it was the last Rolling Stones album to be released during his lifetime, though he also contributed to two songs on their next album Let It Bleed, which was released after his death. (Jones did, however, contribute to the group's hit song "Jumpin' Jack Flash", which was part of the same sessions, and released in May 1968.) Nearly all rhythm and lead guitar parts were recorded by Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones' other guitarist and the primary songwriting partner of their lead singer Mick Jagger; together the two wrote all but one of the tracks on the album. Rounding out the instrumentation were bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts, though all members contributed on a variety of instruments. As with most albums of the period, frequent collaborator Nicky Hopkins played piano on many of the tracks. Beggars Banquet marked a change in direction for the band following the psychedelic pop of their previous two albums, Between the Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request. Styles such as roots rock and a return to the blues rock sound that had marked early Stones recordings dominate the record, and the album is among the most instrumentally experimental of the band's career, as they use Latin beats and instruments like the claves alongside South Asian sounds from the tanpura, tabla and shehnai, and African music-influenced conga rhythms. Beggars Banquet was a top-ten album in many markets, including a number 5 position in the US—where it has been certified platinum—and a number 3 position in the band's native UK. It received a highly favourable response from music critics, who deemed it a return to the band's best sound. While the album lacked a "hit single" at the time of its release, songs such as "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man" became rock radio staples for decades to come. One of their most acclaimed albums, it is considered the beginning of the band's enduring reputation as the "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World". The album has appeared on many lists of the greatest albums of all time, including by Rolling Stone, and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wikipedia"Beggar's Banquet" is a bit of a roller coaster of an album. It's blues, it's rock, it's got some country-ajacent moments ... it's kinda all over the place but everywhere it goes is good. It's a raw sound in all the best ways. This is where The Stones came back to their roots, tried a bunch of stuff out, and decided who they wanted to be musically and culturally. These songs are objectively great. The recording, however ... well, there are some significant issues with the production which pulled it back a star for me.
I saw The Rolling Stones in 1997 on the Bridges to Babylon tour. My mom took me and my brother to Giants Stadium for the show. I was 16 and had only been to a few concerts prior. This concert stood out to me, if only because of the sheer number of inebriated middle aged people I was witness to. I don’t know if you ever been in a place with 70,000 drunken 50 year olds at 16, but it’s an experience. No exaggeration…because I wasn’t old enough to drink, I immediately became one of the most responsible people in attendance. For further context, I had been to separate concerts by Metallica and Pantera within a year of this Stones concert and for the first time I was legitimately concerned about something seriously bad happening at a concert. These Stones fans were out of control. Here’s two examples: Giants stadium, like every other football stadium on earth is essentially a bowl. Our seats were in the nosebleeds: on the third level and about 1/4 of the way up. Let’s say row 8 of 32. Not great seats, but also not the worst. A few minutes prior to the Stones’ set, and shortly after the Foo Fighters had finished, a man began making his way back to his seats (two rows in front of mine) after returning from the concession stand. He was drunkenly balancing a cardboard drink tray with 4 very large plastic glasses of beer in it and not doing it very well. His seats were in the middle of the row, so he had to navigate around about a dozen concertgoers, in the cramped walkway, to reach his destination. Well, about four people in, he lost his balance and fell, sliding down over three rows of seated people and sending his four beers flying into the air, drenching probably a dozen people in Bud Light. Luckily, the drunk and the half dozen people he fell on/over all ended up being ok. That was death-defying act number one. Number two occurred shortly before the end of the concert: If you’ve been to a stadium concert, you know they usually don’t sell seats behind the stage, because, well…no one wants to pay to watch the back of the band. Turns out there’s another good reason for that as well…. As the band was nearing the end of their set, my mother pointed to the area behind the stage, in the upper bowl of the stadium, and said “look, there’s somebody up there behind the stage. What’s he doing up there?” I watched the guy intently, thinking maybe he was a stage hand or maybe he was also so drunk that he would fall down the upper level of the stadium as well, but this time there would be no other concertgoers around to slow his descent. About a minute in, I see a few security guards quickly approaching the man, and what looks like an argument ensues. The man doesn’t seem to care about the security guard’s directives, but eventually, they grab him and remove him from the area. As they are escorting him down the stairs of the upper level - Mick says “this is our last song”, the band launches in to “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and a massive barrage of fireworks launches from behind the stage, almost exactly where the drunk was hanging out a minute prior. Those security guards likely saved this guy from a pretty serious trip to the hospital and did so right in the nick of time. “So what does this have to do with Beggars Banquet?”, you’re probably thinking. Honestly, not much…It’s just a Rolling Stones anecdote I needed put out into the world, but I’ll tie it together any way: Beggars Banquet is arguably the first record where the Stones became the band that everyone knows today: they found their blues, country and honky tonk swagger, solidifying their status as a band that’s synonymous with the hard-partying rock and roll lifestyle. So, without a record like Beggar’s Banquet, I may not have ever experienced the accidental near-deaths of two 50 year old drunks in 1997, and in turn, you wouldn’t be here reading about it. It’s truly a rock and roll version of the butterfly effect.
Genre: Roots Rock 2/5 It's 1968. Rock 'n Roll is continuing to progress at an alarming rate. The Beatles are experimenting with heavier instrumentation in songs like Happiness Is a Warm Gun and Helter Skelter, forecasting the psychedelic blues movement that was about to explode out of the UK with acts like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Jimi Hendrix is breaking down the rock barriers in an even bigger way, writing and playing some of the most influential pieces of guitar music ever written and played. The Velvet Underground was also foraying into new-fangled territory: a more raw, dissonant, experimental sound that would influence musicians for ages. And then you have The Rolling Stones, who are still making songs with harmonies that sound like choo-choo trains. Beggars Banquet is an album with one big fat, juicy single, Sympathy for the Devil, which features the aforementioned choo-choo's, and 9 other completely stale blues rock offerings that really make you wonder what the heck was going on. As the rest of the music world was progressing and moving forward, the Stones did the exact opposite, and they did it in the most bland and milquetoast way possible. The album does one thing right, it's immaculately produced and mixed, and sounds wonderful, but nothing is happening that leads me to believe this album belongs on the list besides its name recognition. Decent solos here and there, too, but really not enough to make it worth it. Sorry to any Stones fans, this just wasn't for me.
woo woo, woo woo, woo woo, woo woo,woo woo, woo woo, woo woo, woo woo,woo woo, woo woo, woo woo, woo woo,woo woo, woo woo, woo woo, woo woo. that ones really good. not so keen on noncey mick and his 15 year old. take the singles off and there are a couple of alright tracks, but stuff you'd expect from some no name, nothing to back up the reputation this album has that consitently gets it into top 100s of all time. but yeah woo woo woo woo woo woo woo woo is dead good.
Was listening to this fairly regularly from 04-07. The songs sparkle just as much now as they did then. Great storytelling, wonderful slinky and spare guitar work. Everything on this album works and feels lived in while feeling just slightly rough. It's like visiting an old friend.
A classic album. Sympathy for the Devil is incredible - the lyrics, the intricate and uncommon musical arrangements, Jagger's delivery. It's a great kickoff to an album full of different styles that show the depth of ability of this band. The Stones aren't one of the greatest bands of all time for no reason. Hugely talented and man do they play on this album. Love the blues sound on Parachute Woman - simple, stripped down, and forceful. Prodigal Son is also has a cool bluesy sound. If you like Street Fighting Man (which I do), check out Rage's version of it on their cover album Renegades (also very good). Salt of the Earth is a beautiful song to end the album; great lyrics too.
There are two songs on this album that I am very familiar with, and the rest of the songs on the album are easily identifiable as the Rolling Stones. This album is a good representation of the problems I have with the Rolling Stones. Beggars Banquet has an interesting mix of music, including a solid amount of rock and roll that reaches into the blues and even some country. The Stones are good musicians and wrote some catchy songs. But, once the lyrics settle in my ears, I can only think about what a creep Mick Jagger is. I can find rock and roll elsewhere and easily not listen to the Stones. It's too bad that it wasn't the Beatles who had a chance to play well into their old age.
The first album in the Stones golden period (68-73). They went from a rock and roll/bluesy cover group to worldwide stardom. Their honky tonk influences are starting to show up here, but the heart of this album is still blues. Obviously has one of their biggest hits in Sympathy for the Devil, but has some good deep cuts that combine Keith Richards’ marvelous guitar composition with Jagger’s passionate vocals. This would also be the last album to feature founding member, resident douchebag genius Brian Jones playing on all songs (he would play on Let It Bleed for two tracks but was basically tuned out because of alcohol and drugs) before he drowned in 1969. Not my personal favorite of this period or their music, but has some of my favorite songs. Favorite song: Street Fighting Man Least favorite song: Factory Girl
My favorite Stones album with my favorite Stones song opening it. I recommend the mono box set version. The mix has a much stronger rhythm section and piano. No Expectations is a sentimental ballad and the perfect choice for the track that comes after. The slide guitar the Brian Jones adds to the track is what takes the song from ordinary to extraordinary. I could go on for paragraphs but I'll just highlight a few more things that make this album great. Jigsaw Puzzle has some great bass playing by Bill Wyman and the coloring that mellotron adds at the end is great (Brian Jones again!). Street fighting man is another stones classic. The Sitar makes this song stand out by being just being in the right spot in the mix so that you know it's there but not dominating the track. Stray cat blues has that great instrumental in the last minute and a half of the song. Love the fiddle in Factory Girl. Salt of the Earth is one of those rare moments that feature Keith on lead vocals (if only for a bit) and the song is a fine tribute to the common man and makes a great closer to the album. Easy easy easy 5 stars here!
Last Stones album with Brian Jones (who had become almost useless by this stage), and the beginning of their imperial period. The mix of blues, country and rock was really what made the Stones of this period what they were at their best. Some great songs (and, of course, Sympathy for the Devil). generally, the recording has enough grit in it to catch my attention, the arrangements are becoming more ambitious (choir on Salt of the Earth, exotic percussion all around), without sounding too much like they are just trying hard to be the Beatles. there was better yet to come, but this really is a classic album, and the first of the Stones records I really love.
Already the most disingenuous band of the age, this is where the Stones outgrow any notion that their songs are about them, throw on the gaudiest costumes they can find, and take their heroic rock theatre to a grander stage than anyone else. Their world-beating revue features everyone from Satan to Bob Dylan to abdicatin' sweethearts to revolutionaries to perverts to Alan Sillitoe protagonists to everyday proles.
If you remove the hits, it’s mainly a blues and country album, and a good one at that. You can see how much more genuine they sound playing the music of their roots.
Thinking about this review, I tried to peel the music away from the Stones' reputation, and I almost gave this one three stars because, while some of the tracks are great (Sympathy is one of my all-time favourites), many are to me little more than country rock instrumental music with mumbling or half-yelling layered on top, without a strong theme.
The beginning of the Stones' classic run of albums. They've ditched the psychedelic posturing to focus on what they do best - playing blues/rock with a dash of country/folk on the side. Devils, doctors, sickness, jilted lovers, returning sons, revolution and everything in between is covered. Best Tracks: Sympathy for the Devil; Street Fighting Man; Factory Girl
This may be sacrilegious to say but this was just an okay album for me. None of the songs really stood out, except for a couple of the tracks were incessantly long.
Out of the blocks fast, before belly flopping. They should steer clear of the ballads. Hey, you hear that, Mick? It's probably too late. Yeah, just checked it out, The Rolling Stones have had loads more songs since this. How can you have an album with Sympathy for the Devil as the opener and the follow it up with such filler crap? It picks up again a bit, but I was angry after tracks 2 and 3.... well not angry, but disappointed.
0.5/5 Worst Album I’ve listened to yet, worst album I’ve ever listened to
Not my favourite Rolling Stones but definitely a good one I didn't really know. Deserves my 5 stars!
Incredible album. It makes me wonder how I never heard much of the Rolling Stones before this. Loved the storytelling on Dear Doctor. Favorite song is Jigsaw Puzzle, no least favorite?
I really like the kind of blues influence that was present throughout this whole album. Also this is the first time I listened to a whole Rolling Stones album, I liked it!
Really great album; some hits, mixed with great lesser-known tracks. Most tracks I had never heard before. Highlights: -Sympathy for the Devil -Jig-Saw Puzzle -Street Fighting Man -Prodigal Son
Enjoyed listening to the Rolling Stones. Would listen to more of them.
Been a long time since I've listened to this record, it's just not one of my go-tos for the Stones. But it's a great one, kind of a sleeper even though only a couple of their bigger songs.
It tells the story of a man that forgot his own name, and he keeps asking people to guess it...
a bluesy album, epic storytelling, tongue in cheek at times as per the Stones, a rootsy comedown from mind altering styles of the times. Like they sat in a room and went right back to their own influences alongside experiences gained from fame so far.Love it.
[Sympathy For The Devil] Н: "Срочно, найдите дешёвый способ сделать нашего злодея обаятельным!"
No Expectations and the final track automatically make this a 5 star album.
Loved it. More bluesy/“country” than I imagined but awesome to listen to.
Great album one The Stones best. 5 stars as far as I'm concerned but I'm a fan. Favorite songs... Sympathy for the Devil No Expectations Jigsaw Puzzle (love this song) Street Fighting Man Prodigal Son 5-star album
Obviously a great album, but I don't think it quite hits the heights of later Stones records. It's the beginning of their golden era though. This through maybe Goat's Head Soup are all just great records.
Un dels discos de rock més creatius i inspirats dels '60. No hi ha tema que no sigui excel.lent, però és que a més hi són puntals del génere com 'Street Fighting Man', 'Sympathy for the Devil', 'No Expectations'... Una joia a disfrutar sovint
More toned down, real acoustic greatness. Awesome songs and a great album
I saw The Rolling Stones live a week ago and was hoping for an album of theirs. I had never seen them in concert before and I had a whole new appreciation for their music and their energy (especially for a bunch of really old dudes). Thus, I've been going through their albums and this one was really the beginning of when they cemented themselves into history as the greatest rock and roll band ever and went back to more of a blues rock based sound. This isn't my favorite Rolling Stones album, but I have to give it a 5 to lift it above other albums I've given 4's to. Woo hoo, woo hoo, wooo hoo!
A solid album from the band's strongest period. I've listened before but not in full for maybe 15 years. I seem to be in a minority but the only song I really didn't like was Jig-Saw Puzzle. The rest was consistently good to excellent roots rocks and blues rock. The stand outs have to be Sympathy For The Devil and Street Fighting Man and years of rock radio exposure has reinforced that but Parachute Woman and Salt Of The Earth the other highlights for me.
Sympathy for the Devil is such a damn good song, but I don't think I've listened to this whole album before so I'm excited. I do love the Rolling Stones a lot.
One of the Stones best albums, it was the last time Brian Jones had some real input for the songs and it shows.
Most of the tracks were amazing. And I’ve put several of them on playlists to listen to over again.
Rolling Stones oder Beatles - ich war immer eher Beatles Fan, aber diese Lieder sind unsterblich, vor allem Sympathy For The Devil
Marvelous, geniuses....Personally I prefer other Stones album but the blues on this is great
My first purchase, this album holds a special place in my musical heart. Terrific Stones from start to finish.
This is the start of the peak period of creativity for the Rolling Stones. A great rock album that explores the roots of the genre, with blues rhythms, and also some early examples of hard rock. "Sympathy for the Devil" is a anthem, a masterpiece that embodies everything that rock could be, and "Street Fighting Man" has such beautiful layers of acoustic guitar and sitar, and a very unique riff.
Please allow me to introduce myself I'm a man of wealth and taste I've been around for a long, long years Stole million man's soul an faith - Sympathy for the devil
My first full stones album. Loved the variety in style, which somehow came together well as a whole.
The last album to feature a significant contribution from Brian Jones, it's also one of their best. It has the classic stones sound mixed with some interesting experiments, some memorable songs and a great production. Everyone knows tracks like 'Sympathy For The Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' but I equally love genre experiments like the lengthy Dylan-ish 'Jigsaw Puzzle' and folky 'Factory Girl' (featuring an unusual fiddle and mandolin arrangement). Some of the lyrics are a bit, ahem, risque ("parachute woman land on me tonight"). The Stones became a lot less experimental and a lot more generic after this album, which is a shame.
Any record that opens with “Sympathy” has a huge headstart, but it builds from there; just the transition to “No Expectations” points to the mostly mellow and sometimes lovely journey ahead. “Parachute Woman,” “Jigsaw Puzzle” and “Factory Girl” are all underappreciated gems. The playing feels loose, almost tossed-off at times, but it’s actually quite crisp and controlled – what the Stones did best, not exactly making it look easy but looking cool and insouciant while doing it well (and sometimes wild). All that plus “Street Fighting Man,” the awesomeness of which is easy to forget somehow and a truly great closer (\"Salt of the Earth\"), a fitting and graceful crescendo. The straightforward approach and seemingly narrower ambition paid out an incredible yield – the best-ever Stones record (no mean feat, that). 4.8 / 5
Return of the real Stones some super songwriting and arrangements on this their final Album with the original line up just before Brian Jones died. Favourite tracks "Sympathy For The Devil" (Whooo Whooos by Anita Pallenberg & Marian Faithfull.) and "Street Fighting Man". Great album well produced by Glyn Johns and the band.
Stones going back to their bluesy roots. Loved the obvious singles and Jigsaw is fantastic.
Some classic stones songs, very bluesy and filled with great guitar riffs from the ever present Keith’s Richards my favourites were sympathy of the devil and the last track :)
Such an amazing album! I could listen to this bluesy Stones album from start to finish everyday!
Excellent. More and more I'm starting to realise how important the drumming is on these Stones albums.
Together with Exile on Main Street (and Let It Bleed), my favourite two Rolling Stones albums - a clear top 10-ever album. And they even left out songs like Jumpin' Jack Flash..
Ovaj album cover je puno bolji nego original, nema sumnje. Ne znam, ovo mi je tako blizu petice da to nisu istine. Vjerujem da ću mu dati toliko, iako je 4.5 sasvim odlično isto. Ovo mi je njihova najbolja era (priznajem, nisam preslušao više od 5 njihovih albuma, ali gle, ova tri Beggers Banquet - Let It Bleed - Sticky Fingers je odlična trilogija bluza).
This album is the namesake of my favorite cocktail. Give it a try and thank me later. || https://www.liquor.com/recipes/beggars-banquet
I really enjoyed this album. Classic Rolling Stones and makes me understand why they’re so popular.
Pour mon gout perso, fait partie de la sainte trinite de rolling atones avec sticky fingers et let it bleed. 5
Any record that opens with “Sympathy” has a huge headstart, but it builds from there; just the transition to “No Expectations” points to the mostly mellow and sometimes lovely journey ahead. “Parachute Woman,” “Jigsaw Puzzle” and “Factory Girl” are all underappreciated gems. The playing feels loose, almost tossed-off at times, but it’s actually quite crisp and controlled – what the Stones did best, not exactly making it look easy but looking cool and insouciant while doing it well (and sometimes wild). All that plus “Street Fighting Man,” the awesomeness of which is easy to forget somehow and a truly great closer ("Salt of the Earth"), a fitting and graceful crescendo. The straightforward approach and seemingly narrower ambition paid out an incredible yield – the best-ever Stones record (no mean feat, that). 4.8 / 5
Just for the one opening song this album gets 5 stars from me. Even now it's shocking and addictive. The rest is a odd collection of bluesy, rocky and honky-tonk delivered with skill and swagger. This is a major game player and I'm suprised it's not near the top in this chart?
Enjoyable the entire way thru. Should make an effort to listen to the entire discography