In The Beginning

In the beginning, Swinging London, circa 1962, the Stones were a "groovy R&B band" (per Bob Dylan).  Covering hits by Black American artists: Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry, Little Walter, etc.  With a driving, hard edged beat, weaving guitars, harmonica, hand clapping and Mick Jagger's vocal imitations, the Rolling Stones brought R&B music to the world. This compilation features select tracks from: England's Newest Hit Makers; 12X5; Rolling Stones, Now!; Out Of Our Heads, December's Children and a few unreleased gems.

With the British invasion in full swing the Rolling Stones were announced as England’s Newest Hit Makers.  The album, by the same name, was released to coincide with the Stones’ arrival in New York City on June 1, 1964, where they began their first US tour.  The band played to very small audiences in the eight cities.  The album features the first Jagger; Richards recorded composition Tell Me. 12X5 was released with their second tour of North America, October 1964.  Mick and Keith’s songwriting partnership is hitting it’s stride by this time, with three of their songs on the album,  Congratulations, Grown Up Wrong and the excellent Good Times, Bad Times, a homage to the country blues singers they loved so much.  It's All Over Now, the Bobby Womack classic, was recorded at the Chess studio in Chicago.  Time is on my Side was their first Billboard top 10 hit.

The Rolling Stones, Now!   was released February, 1965.  Brian Jones plays electric slide guitar and harp on Willie Dixon's masterpiece: Little Red Rooster.  Jagger; Richards wrote Heart Of Stone and Off The Hook. Out Of Our Heads was released July 1, 1965.  It was through the long, hot summer that (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction blasted out on radios all around the world.  Satisfaction written by Jagger; Richards (they penned 7 of the 12 tracks) was powered by a repetitive riff played on the electric fuzz guitar by Keith Richards.  The repetitive riff would become a Rolling Stone hallmark and led to Keith being dubbed Keef the Human Riff.

December's Children (and Everybody's) released in December, it was the third LP of 1965 for the Stones.  Half of the 12 tracks were written by Jagger; Richards and would be the last of the "cover band" reputation for the Stones.  Get Off my Cloud powered by Brian Jones electric rhythm guitar would become their second rock anthem.

My favorite verse: The telephone is ringing I say, "Hi, it's me. Who is it there on the line?" A voice says, "Hi, hello, how are you?"  "Well, I guess I'm doin' fine" He says, "It's three a.m., there's too much noise don't you people ever wanna go to bed? Just 'cause you feel so good, do you have to drive me out of my head?" I said, "Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around 'cause two's a crowd On my cloud baby"

Wanderin' Spirit
October, 2012
"In The Beginning"

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