Beggars Banquet

In 1997, I saw The Rolling Stones on the Bridges to Babylon tour. My mom took my brother and I to Giants Stadium for the show. At 16, I had only been to a few concerts prior to this and, if only because of the sheer number of inebriated middle aged people I was witness to, this concert left an indelible mark on me. 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. About four people in to his row, he lost his balance and fell, sliding downward over three rows of seated people, which sent 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 approach the man, and what looked like an argument ensued. The man didn’t seem to care about the security guards directives, but eventually, they grabbed him and removed him from the area. As they were escorting him down the stairs of the upper level, Mick says “this is our last song”, the band kicked off “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and a massive barrage of fireworks launched from behind the stage, from almost exactly where the drunk was hanging out a minute earlier. 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.

During the height of Stalin's regime, Mikhail Bulgakov secretly wrote a wonderfully surreal tale filled with disappearances, mass disillusionment, inexplicable deaths and sudden hysteria. Bulgakov explains that these mysterious happenings are due to the arrival of a big fat cat (Behemoth) and his sidekick (Azazello) who accompany Satan (Professor (Lord) Woland(emort)) and a vampire (Hella). The story is ludicrous, ridiculously fun and deeply traumatic. The cruelty of Stalin's reign could not and can not be comprehended. It is easier to believe that a flamboyant Satan rocked up in town with his whimsical entourage and wrecked havoc, than to face the real events. After reading The Master and Margarita, Mick Jagger was inspired to write Sympathy For The Devil, 6 minutes of derivative blues where Jagger lists off various atrocities and asks "what's my name?" with all the mischief of a wayward schoolchild. There's some interesting percussion at the beginning, but that's about the highlight of the song, and sadly, the album. I have never understood the comparison between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. One band instigated a cultural revolution which still shapes the way we dress, talk, socialise, dance, play music and enjoy life to this day. The other band were a bunch of posh English boys playing at being American bad boys. Sympathy For The Devil indeed.

Is there a good Stone's album? Does this really deserve to be on the list? Is there a Stone's album that's chock full of hits or is completely listenable for its entirety? Maybe I'm not boomer enough, but having two slappers dispersed into snoozers is not indicative of a good album. Rather, it seems as if the Stone's longevity is due to the consistent release of one or two fantastic songs on each album. I'm not denying their talent, just that this album deserves to be on here when many other albums are more complete and polished. This is a 2/5 for two good songs.

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.

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.

"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.

It tells the story of a man that forgot his own name, and he keeps asking people to guess it...

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.

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.

Just always way too much Stones on this list. Given that, for some reason I enjoyed this album more than the others I received, but man did I just forget it immediately and will not listen to it. Just bluesy bar band rock music. Not for me and certainly way too over represented on this list. I guess it is what it is.

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.

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.

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.

s'alright

I've never really understood Sympathy for the Devil. It's completely boring to me. No Expectations is also rather dull and repetitive. The vocals on Dear Doctor are so annoying. Stupid honky tonk sound pallet adds nothing. Jigsaw Puzzle is mildly more interesting than the first few tracks. This album is much more bluesy and folkesy than I was expecting. You wouldn't call it a rock album like some of the work the Stones are known for. Prodigal Son probably my favourite song on the album so far. Is this someone other than Mick Jagger singing? The voice is way less annoying than normal. Factory Girl has somewhat more interesting instrumentation. I won't be rushing back to this one. 2.1/5

Beggar’s Banquet I love all 4/5 albums from their imperial phase, but the patchwork, rootsy, folky, country-blues of this has always stood out to me, feeling more fractious and less country-fied then LIB and Sticky Fingers and less louche and decadent than Exile, maybe because Street Fighting Man and Sympathy for the Devil are more contemporarily socio-political than much of what was on the albums that followed. It’s also remarkable how much the acoustic (and slide) dominates, forming the backbone of the album, with only SFTD, Street Fighting Man and Stray Cat Blues not being built around acoustic guitars. Despite the fact I’ve played it to death, Sympathy for the Devil is ageless, and still sounds fantastic everytime I hear it. Street Fighting Man is the same. No Expectations I think is one of their best slow blues/country blues, the slide is great and the whole atmosphere is excellent. Dear Doctor is a great little country ditty, but Parachute Woman is a definite favourite, the bass is superb and the whole murky blues groove is great. Prodigal son is another great little country blues and I love Charlie’s drum pattern on Stray Cat Blues, I always think it sounds like it could be used for a hip hop or DJ Shadow track, and the guitar is superb. Filthy words but a banging track. Factory Girl’s folk flavour with eastern percussion is another one of my favourites, it may be rather throwaway but I love the tune and simplicity of it. And salt of the Earth is a great gospel inflected track, similar to You Can’t Always Get What You Want in vibe, despite the slightly laughable verses coming from Jagger, although the middle 8 does undercut the verses somewhat Great, great album. Obviously a 5. 👿👿👿👿👿 Playlist submission: Could be a few, but I’ll go obvious and Sympathy for the Devil

There should be a special sixth star because there's a lot of albums I gave five stars to that don't sit anywhere near this album. Should be on every short list, and I wouldn't quibble if this was going to be the one rock and roll record you were going to put in a time capsule. Jigsaw Puzzle is one of my very favorite Stones tunes.

I bought a used copy of this album at a record store in Chicago during my first week of college. I then listened to it obsessively in my dorm room to the point where people asked me to stop. By far my most favorite Stones album, and I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks Prodigal Son and Stray Cat Blues and Factory Girl are among the Stones greatest songs? Don't know; don't care, side two is a masterpiece and you can pry this album out of my cold dead hands.

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.

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!

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

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.

not kanye

0.5/5 Worst Album I’ve listened to yet, worst album I’ve ever listened to

So much of the Stones is just over-played. It becomes tired and cliche. Thanks American radio! Even listening to it now, I’m surprised at the variety in the music. I sometimes forgot I was listening to ‘68 Stones, as it felt like other bands from other decades – who no doubt were borrowing from here. But the Stones were no doubt borrowing (quite openly, I’d say) from the Blues. It’s hard listening now after 50+ years of borrowing, copying and rehashing to think about listening with fresh ears.

Wow, a surprising album. People seem to really like Sympathy for the Devil. It's a good song to me, but I feel the rest of the album really shines, with only very few lulls and misses, with no songs being fully duds. Rootsy, blues rock that I find sits on a good note for just the right amount of time before changing up sounds. I'm partially really impressed by this album because it's a genre I don't tend to enjoy, but the Stones bring together different influences in a very gratifying way that defies stale.

Fantastic album. Not a complete no-skip album but all the songs work well together

Favorites: Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fighting Man, Salt Of The Earth I’ll always have a soft spot for classic Stones record, so it doesn’t surprise me that I still love this one. Just one great track after another.

Album really showcases their breadth of sound. And for me, sympathy for the devil is one of their most conceptually creative songs.

Sounds a lot like the other Stones albums. Forgot how much I liked Street Fighting Man. 4/5

When The Stones are good, they’re very good. When they’re not …they aren’t. Here, The Stones are good! I enjoyed this a lot. I’m sure we’ll get one or two 5 stars from them at some point? I’m generally lukewarm on Mic Jagger, but I think Keith Richards is a great musician. “Mediocre frontman, fantastic musician” seems to be a theme for me: Zeppelin, Guns ‘n’ Roses, The Doors. But Mic is better than those guys.

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

Maybe I’ve taken their albums for granted.

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Sympathy For The Devil Sympathy For The Devil is awesome, but other than that, I was kind of expecting the album to be a bit more classic rock, high-energy, like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd. This felt more like an acoustic, bluesy album; More mellow and plodding. Definitely not bad, just not what I was expecting.

Sympathy for the Devil is obviously utter genius. But beyond that, although there were some OK moments, nothing came close to grabbing me in the same way. Overall a little disappointing and just not standing up to the sort of music they’re taking inspiration from.

Arguably one of the best opening tracks to an album ever… then feels as though it drastically changes. Some cool bits throughout but seems to lack that same punch the opener does, which leaves it feeling abit empty for me. Blokes voice is abit whiny too. 2.5, will bump to 3 because the first song is an all timer

Well, it'll never be my favorite Stones album, but there are a few treasures on it.

It’s the Rolling Stones

White people can have this album

Ok album. Pretty normal I guess. Good at times even. Docking points for the pedo pov concept song tbh

The Rolling Stones always struck me as an elaborate practical joke on the Western world. Hey, look Boomers! Blues music repackaged by some limey honkeys! Oh, how edgy - they're singing about sex and Satan! That'll stick it to your parents who won the war, built the economy, and gave you jerks a head start not experienced by any generation prior or since! But Charlie Watts is pretty tight.

I don't hate the music. I get the appeal. I love the blues. But if you take away the music they blatantly stole from African Americans with inadequate recognition, there's nothing left. 2/5 - 2 only bc there are some good guitar licks

They’re the greatest band in the world, and this is one of their best.

No solamente el disco que le dio al mundo Sympathy for the devil, sino un tremendo discazo lleno de influencias de blues, jazz y hasta del Bayou, todo en 10 temas rockeros y baladescos que me parecieron geniales. Gran disco.

Although some of the other British blues rock groups had more technical ability, who cares?! The Rolling Stones more than made it up in ideas, songwriting, production, attitude and a sloppy feel that makes their best work among the greatest of its era.

Absolute classic. Great work from the entire band on this one. This is the start of the best four album run the Stones ever had. Great stuff on this one.

c'mon

I’m Team Beatles, but this is a great album. You’ve got classics here - “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fighting Man”. Some of the low-key country and blues tracks are even stronger - “No Expectations”, “Factory Girl”, “Salt of the Earth” - these are all great folk blues, mostly acoustic tracks.

I have never been a "fan" of the Rolling Stones and I'm starting to wonder why?

Great, complete album

I'm quite biased. My dad gave me a copy of this album with the white cover when I was five or six. I played it all the time. It's a great record!

Awesome

Great album. Opening track had me hooked from the start and the whole journey was enjoyable.

Not sure why I never listened to this album before now. I enjoyed every single track.

Between 1968 and 1972, the Rolling Stones released a run of four studio albums that I would considered they're greatest stretch. In fact, I would even go as far to say, is there a better run of four consecutive albums by any recording artist? Sure, Dylan had some good ones in the 60's and of the course, the Beatles had some solid records, but I stand by the Stones. Beggars Banquet started this streak with an album that was a solid followup to the odd, inconsistently strange, Their Satanic Majesties Request. The Stones somewhat returned to their roots on Beggars with a more acoustically based album and mature songwriting. Though it was best known for the outstanding opener, "Sympathy For the Devil" and the intense, "Street Fighting Man", the kicker was the deeper tracks (less known) that gave the album a fuller range and more diverse sound that was distinctive on this and the next three albums. I really enjoy this record, maybe one of my favourite Stones albums and proved they could skillfully write and perform a record that wasn't just rock 'n' roll.

i had only ever heard sympathy for the devil, and the rest of this album is my favorite of the stones i’ve heard so far. i love it!!!!

Oh man. What more can I say. More authentic rootsy, and experimental Rolling Stones. BB is in my top 3 Stones of all time, this album is chock full of interesting and engaging songwriting and instrumentation. I'd extrapolate but I'm too busy listening to it again. 🎵There's a tramp sittin on my doorstep🎵

The beginning of the greatest four-album run in rock history.

I mean this is the definition of a classic LP. Sympathy for the Devil is, well a top 10 on any list that has all of the best ..you know, classics.

This album surprised me - I've heard some of the songs before but really enjoyed listening to it 'front to back'. Frankly, I think it's brilliant. The whole album hangs together really well - I love the Americana, country influences. There are some absolute bangers. The guitars are interesting, drums are great... I could go on. really loved it!

5 stars. All day. Some GREAT music right here!

Heel goed

Sympathy for the devil is fun and jazzy. The album has a good variety and musical diversity. I love the blues influences.

i'm a big rolling stones fan but i hadn't listened to this one in full for a while so it was nice to listen to it again. i really like this album. it's not my favorite of theirs, but it's really great. obviously, the big song is batting lead-off here, and yeah, there's a reason it gets played all the time on the radio still, almost 60 years later. the other big song here is maybe my favorite which is 'street fighting man' which i think is a great bridge between the first 'era' of the stones and this new era they were entering. you can really see the dawn of the new era in full force in the album cuts - a bluesier, rootsier, back to basics sound that they would evolve and grow with over the next few years. for that reason, it's not my favorite of their albums, because where they are headed is a terrific peak, but it's still an album i hold near and dear to my heart.

Such a great hang! I love the accoustic songs sprinkled through this blues rock classic! I could listen to this all day.

What great men they are for this.

had never listened to this whole album, but was happy with it.

One of the greatest albums by one of the greatest bands in world history, easiest 5/5 ever. I got to see The Rolling Stones live in Las Vegas last May (2024) & seeing them do 'Sympathy for the Devil' (from this album) up close (Row 5, Center) was one of the best experiences of my life thus far Mick Jagger was scary good at 80 & moved well like Jagger, the band was as tight as it gets, everything was spot on & I swear Mick smiled at me. *swoons* I feel a little sadness for those that will live an entire life never having heard this work of art - don't make me sad.

Sympathy for the Devil,

The Rolling Stones! What will you more!

Another classic. Any album with Sympathy for the Devil is going to be a minimum of 4 stars but Street Fighting Man and Salt of the Earth combined with other bluesy ruminations put it over the top

The ONLY Rolling Stones album that I do enjoy.and consider great. Sympathy for the Devil is hell of a tune. Jig-Saw Puzzle is good too, Bob Dylan vibe. I like Salt Of The Earth too. Really can't think of anything picky to say towards this album. Love it, and it definitely deserve a 5/5.

It may be that this is the great Stones album, even more than Exile. Mick is at his most historical on 'Sympathy,' his most amusing on 'Dear Doctor,' his blusiest on 'Parachute Woman,' and timeliest on 'Street Fighting Man.' It's more upfront and immediate than about anything else you'll hear b/c, while it takes no short cuts, it never drags and, taking no prisoners, it frees you from all that's not in your face and epiphanic. Released after their try-hard (tho not awful) 'Their Satanic Majesties Request,' Beggars Banquets sees the group rediscovering who they were all along, messengers of sensuality that may fade but inspiration that never does: 'I'll kill the king, I'll rail at all his servants'; 'Let's drink to the two thousand million.' That's what I need.

One of the best from this era of the RS.

Forgot how much I like this album.

Stones

Very fun

Classic

I don't think any band should be as rich and famous as the Rolling Stones. There are so many musicians out there and a lot of them are really good and a lot of them you'll never hear and a lot of them no one will ever hear. It's just easier for some people to make a whole lot of money by ignoring everyone else and getting us all to tune in to the Rolling Stones. Works the same way for Taylor Swift. Putting that aside, damn this album is good. I mean, it's really, really good. And I guess as the end of the day I'm just a basic bitch, because I like every song on this album. I stopped what I was doing at work on most of them to just listen. Sympathy for the Devil - never really listened to the words before. Sort of makes you think selling your soul to the devil is worth it so you can become Mick Jagger Jigsaw Puzzle - i love all the contradiction in the song. Factory Girl - I too want a factory girl

🧅 THE ONION White Man Approaching Middle Age Pours Heart and Soul Into Sad Little Rolling Stones Album Review That Maybe Three Other People Will See TUJUNGA, CA— love “snack time” written over the toilet on album cover. “taco thighs” too. heard sympathy for the devil and street fighting man ten thousand times, but that doesn’t make them any less great songs. fun to try to listen to classic rock radio hits as if for the first time. sympathy adds one element (piano, woo-woos) with every verse. i think the only guitar is the (blistering) solo and subsequent lead phrases. if keith is your only conscious guitarist, you know the other one is in trouble. “anastasia / screamed in vain.” 2 good 4 me. 👻 brian jones’ final flight: the billowing slide guitar on no expectations. the “yep!” on dear doctor. 🤌🤌 gotDAMN these boys knew how to shamble. the electric guitar lying on the floor on parachute woman. bleary. blown out. sick. two harmonicas. harmonicae. the bass on jigsaw puzzle. also gotta love a verse that just goes through the band and provides one line of characterization per member. but if there’s a weak link on the album, this is it. interesting, listenable, and catchy weak link though. by the time you’re on street fighting man, you’re in the thick of it. then the farty one note horn(?) solo. what a gift we’ve been given. i remember getting so stoked to learn open e tuning after hearing prodigal son. entrancing rhythm. love a classic country blues rework. lol. stray cat blues. “i know you’re only 15.” easy, sir michael. two electric guitars! doing that muscular stones weave we all (only i?) know and love. factory girl. tabla! everyone’s favorite irish-appalachian-indian folk song. a really sweet and unique song. just long enough to make you miss it when it’s gone. like its namesake. salt of the earth. keith richards’ little baby bird voice. love it every time they coax him out of his cage to sing a lead. “you got the silver” will forever be the best, but this scratches my itch until let it bleed pops up. yes, let’s bring in the gospel chorus to go out on a high note after 40 minutes of songs about *checks notes* trying to bang underage girls. FIVE and it’s not even their best one. when do the skynyrd albums start popping up?

Man, Blues filtered through drugged up Brit rockers. Outside of the obvious hits, songs like Prodigal Son and Parachute Woman show their deep love and appreciation for the culture and heart of real Blues. They aren’t just white washing for money, it’s their contribution. Album is so short but powerful. No Exceptions is my favorite on this one.

I'm a little embarrassed to say that most of my stones listening has come from 95.9 The River and and echoes down the hall from Zak's room in my 20's. I'm excited for a more dedicated listen. DEAR DOCTOR - it's funny to hear these british teenagers sing about virginia It sounds great, I'm listening to the 50th anniv remaster because thats all spotify had. Wonder how diff it is from the OG mix. Yeah this album rules. Damn this is a quick one, love it. Its a sunny spring morning and this hits right. Light 5.

"Yeaoowwhh!" Beggars Banquet is the start of the Stones golden period, where they step out of the shadow of The Beatles 'rivalry' and become a Rock Band. "Sympathy for the Devil" is a stunning opener, biting and percussive - not just in the drums; the vocals and guitars are equally polyrhythmic - with references to the killings of the Kennedys, among others. 1969 is just upon us but the '60s are already over. Still one of the group's best songs. There is nothing quite so good on the rest of the album, and I feel the next few albums, when Mick Taylor had replaced Brian Jones, get steadily better, but it is all excellent. "No Expectations" and "Dear Doctor" point to later songs, like "Dead Flowers" or "Torn and Frayed", in which the Rolling Stones become the best country band in the world, even if here they lacked the conviction to push through the pastiche. "Street Fighting Man" is powerful and driving, and always fun to revisit. There are some excellent blues among the other tracks, "Prodigal Son" in particular stands out for the Mississippi Delta acoustic guitars and Mick's authentic barking vocals. The harsh, spiky guitars from the opener make a welcome return at the end of "Stray Cat Blues". Closer "Salt of the Earth" is a little corny but is saved, first by Keith's toneless backing vocals in the choruses and then by the wonderful, piano driven, gospel choir coda. A great album, even with the knowledge that greater were to come.

It's a great album. More of a country sound than I expected. But the classics are classic and the ones I was less familiar with were crackers too.

There is no The Rolling Stones album that is less than 5.

Out of this world energy !

Part of a run of albums where they were at their peak, probably my favorite Stones record, fantastic song writing, great mix of acoustic blues and big hits.

Own on vinyl. Excellent record.

Maybe their best IMO

On vacation, so keeping this short. But this is a great album. The Stones in their prime. Loose and rockin. 4.5/5 but I'll round up to 5 on the start chart I guess.

The Stones at their rawest.

The start of The Stones accession into legends. It's got the down and dirty licks, the unstoppable Sympathy and the tough talking Street Fighting Man.

- it's hard to argue with the string of records that this release starts off. The number of just truly great songs is impressive and marks the beginning of the peak of Rolling Stones output. -

Sometimes this experiment blindsides me in the best way. I have generally liked the Stones over the years, but only somewhat. Some of their biggest songs are true classics, but I've never been overly hyped about any of it. This album changed my view. There was style and musicianship that I was simply not expecting. The album oozes talent -- and not Jagger swagger. Great find for me.

I don't think I listened to this album front to back. Just did this weekend and am happy I did. Great Album!

One of my all time favorite albums.

Classic rolling stones album

Sympathy for the Devil is another killer Stones opener. The guitar solo sounds amazing. No Expectations slows things back down and is quiet and beautiful. Dear Doctor then goes full-on acoustic country. I prefer the short Parachute Woman, now firmly in blues territory. Jigsaw Puzzle is a strong finish to the first side, Dylan-esque with a unique Mellotron sound effect throughout. Street Fighting Man marries Indian instrumentation with a hard rock sound. Prodigal Son lets us catch our breath before Stray Cat Blues hits with a big bassline and piano groove. Definitely the hardest rocking track on the album and some of the best guitar parts (plus questionable lyrics). If Factory Girl is side two's Dear Doctor, I prefer it, with more varied instruments and a folk atmosphere. Salt of the Earth is a slow burn that turns into a gospel-inspired anthem. I'm left wanting more.