The Rolling Stones Album: “Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hit Makers)”

This is basically the UK album The Rolling Stones with Not Fade Away replacing a cover of Bo Diddley's Mona, and a silly subtitle added. Recorded at a time when none of the band had been to America and the closest they'd got to Chuck Berry or Howlin' Wolf was playing a record, this sets the template for the next few years: a mix of high-energy rock (check Keith's brilliant solo on Carol), soul covers and minor originals. But this debut is also the most blues-oriented album they'd produce until Beggar's Banquet, with nods to Jimmy Reed, Slim Harpo and Muddy Waters. By their next album they would have ditched the blues for a more contemporary R&B sound. An enormously influential LP, it still sounds great today, even though Mick wouldn't hit his stride for a few years yet.

This offering is not too bad. It is nice to know that the Stones first two efforts were about equal and then they took off from there (unlike bands these days who peak on their debut album and then decline from there). As fas as this one goes, it has some pretty good tracks on it (especially King Bee, I Just Want to Make Love to You and Tell Me) but it is sometimes hampered by silliness (Walking the Dog has never been one of my favorites) and the album has one too many songs with the word Witness in the title. It's no masterpiece but it's a fun listen and it surely doesn't make the ears bleed. And, after all, its the Stones for the love of John!

I own this CD but can not give this a five star review. It is a rough draft that shows their enthusiasm but some of the covers miss the mark. Anyone who ever heard Marvin Gaye sing "Can I Get A Witness" would agree that Jagger should've left this one alone. Jagger's vocals sound strained & off key. I'm not crazy about the Rufus Thomas cover either but that being said there are some wonderful moments here. "Tell Me" is a great original that still holds up well."Carol" is a wonderful example of how well The Stones embraced Chuck Berry. The only guitarist that does Berry almost as good as the man himself is Keith Richards. I do enjoy this album for its raw vitality but it doesn't get as many spins as NOW! or OUT OF OUR HEADS but if you're a fan of The "early" Stones you'll enjoy this -misguided covers & all.

A basic item of any rythm'n'blues discography, the first britih album of the Rolling Stones have high tide and a lot of blood and soul of the Mississipi songs. Inspired by Elmore James, Howlin Wolf and Chuck Berry, this one brings a intensive recording of Route 66, and a great singer moment of Mick Jagger in Can i get a witness. "Carol" have a guitar riff that would make Chuck Berry jealous. In a essential blues album, the Stones reserved a time to change our minds with a ballad, "Tell Me", which remind us to the best Motown and Stax hits. Keith Richards is crying all the track. A complete album.

The Rolling Stones produced a heap of albums, and this is the first. Like most of their first few albums, it has mostly blues and rock'n'roll cover songs, such as Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" and Chuck Berry's "Carol". These songs are done very well in early-stones style, but for those new to the stones and looking for another album packed with hits, I wouldn't look here. If you're looking for a more popular early-stones album, I suggest Out of our Heads, December's Children, and 12x5. If you decide you like those, then by all means buy this album. It's a solid blues/rock cover extravaganza...