*Kinda-Review* The Rolling Stones, Now!

The Rolling Stones, Now!

Released
February 13, 1965

The American version of The Rolling Stones No. 2. Instead of rating it’s songs again, I’m going to talk about its replacements. So if you really want to see a review of this, go see the UK album.

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

So while not a replacement, this version of the song is two minutes shorter. Unfortunately, for some reason my version of The Rolling Stones No. 2 also has the three minute version, so I can’t really compare it.

Heart of Stone vs. Time Is on My Side

Oh, that’s a tough one. Both songs are fantastic, and both are kinda slow. I’ll say this; there’s no reason to hate the decision. Both songs were released in the United States as singles, so you’re not really getting any new songs either way. I think both songs pretty much match each other in terms of quality and music, so while I can’t say “good on you for changing that,” it definitely doesn’t hurt.

Mona (I Need You Baby) vs. Grown Up Wrong

Very weird decision, but I guess America did never actually get Mona from England’s Newest Hit Makers. However, Grown Up Wrong is a bit better and fits the Rolling Stones at this point in their career, because it was recorded at this point in their career. So bad choice here, but not too bad.

Oh Baby (We Got a Good Thing Goin') vs. Under the Boardwalk

A new song? Anything is better than Under the Boardwalk, and this sounds good.

Little Red Rooster vs. I Can’t Be Satisfied

I like I Can’t Be Satisfied a lot better. A lot better.

Surprise, Surprise vs. Suzie Q

Another new song. Honestly I didn’t even realize there were new songs on here until I started this review. I’m under a lot of stress right now with my carbon dioxide alarm going off for no reason every 5 minutes, so I’m not going to rate it. I appreciate the Stones using a longer song for the ending, and while Surprise, Surprise is a good song, Suzie Q wins by a small amount. Because I like the guitar better. Although Surprise, Surprise’s vocals are pretty good. I guess they’re evenly matched.

Overall, I guess I like the American version better. I just wished they could’ve found a way to keep Time is On My Side and still include Heart of Stone. But if I was rating this, it would definitely be a bit better than The Rolling Stones No. 2.

*Review* The Rolling Stones No. 2

The Rolling Stones No. 2

Released
January 15, 1965

Only two singles between this and 12 x 5, compared to the seven singles and two EPs between England’s Newest Hit Makers and 12 x 5.

This song made it high in the charts for a bit, but was pretty much battered down by Beatles for Sale and The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Brutal competition.

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

(Solomon Burke, Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler)

I cringed a bit when the singing started, but it got better. Nothing special

4.5/10

Down Home Girl

(Jerry Leiber, Arthur Butler)

Jerry Leiber strikes again. While nothing particularly special, it’s an average song with a nice beat.

6.5/10

You Can’t Catch Me

(Chuck Berry)

Pretty close to being on par with the original, despite being a bit slower (you can’t hide that), so it’s a fantastic cover in that regard. (I still prefer Lennon’s version on Rock N’ Roll, but this is 1965 and that album hasn’t been released yet.)

8/10

Time is On My Side

(Norman Meade)

So now I have to make a decision; this version or the single version. Although I love organs, especially when used correctly, I think the guitar works much better here. And the organ is still there, just in the background, so it’s a win-win. So, while I don’t agree with the rating I’m going to give this, I don’t think it deserves anything lower.

10/10

What a Shame

(Jagger / Richards)

(Copied from the Heart of Stone / What a Shame single)

 The Rolling Stones seem to do better when they write a song then when they cover a blues song and try to fit in. This mix is a lot better than the single, and there’s a loud bass in my right ear with a nice, crisp guitar in the other.

8.5/10

Grown up Wrong

(Mick Jagger / Keith Richards)

I was about to be very angry with this decision, as this was included in 12 x 5 as well. But this is a UK album, and 12 x 5 is a US album. That’s the opposite of what usually happens; it’s the UK that gets a song then the US takes it in a future album. That’s just the sad separation that is region-specific records.

Also, I’m giving this song a slightly higher rating than what I had on 12 x 5. This album has been full of unreasonably high ratings, and I’m just feeling good today, and that’s why ratings are flawed.

6.5/10

Down the Road Apiece

(Don Raye)

A song that transitioned nicely from boogie to rock and roll, and The Rolling Stones play this song to perfection. Jagger has a different feeling to his voice that was needed on this song, and, of course, that rocking guitar mixed with a boogie piano is beautiful.

10/10

Under the Boardwalk

(Arthur Resnick and Kenny Young)

This song returns after being in 12 x 5, and it’s still as average as it was in 12 x 5. As I said before, no one would mind if this didn’t make it on the album.

7.5/10

I Can’t Be Satisfied

(Muddy Waters)

I’ve noticed how the quality of Jagger’s voice changes quite a bit on this album. On this song it sounds clear, but other songs retain their early-sounding, err, sound. But anyway, here’s a nice blues rock song.

8/10

Pain in My Heart

(Allen Toussaint)

See, what happened to the quality here. It’s much worse than I Can’t Be Satisfied. Whatever.

This was going to be a 6.75/10, but the lead guitar made me change my mind and add that extra .25.

7 / 10

Off The Hook

(Jagger / Richards)

As I said in the single Little Red Rooster / Off the Hook, this is a pretty drastic change. Each instrument is doing a nice job of sounding good, and that includes the voice of the one and only Mick Jagger.

7.5/10

Suzie Q

(Dale Hawkins, Stan Lewis and Eleanor Broadwater)

(Complete copy from the 12 x 5 album, since it’s still completely relevant)

This is hardly a cover. This is a imagination of the original. And I’ll tell you, what a great song to end an album. Short but sweet.

Although it doesn’t deserve a 9. A 4.5/5 sounds right, but a 9/10 doesn’t, even though they are the same thing. Ratings hurt. Also, I wish they didn’t end with a short song.

8.5/10.

92.5/120

So, great album with some flaws. Here’s my major disappointment; it was full of covers again. 12 x 5 did a good job giving us a great mix of covers and self-written songs. That and the album didn’t really open up too great. All in all, good album, not as good as 12 x 5, which is the complete opposite of what happened to The Beatles’ albums where the UK got the good albums and the US’ only contribution was Magical Mystery Tour.  The rest had horrible mixes and excluded good songs. But this is about the Rolling Stones; I can’t take the spotlight off them yet. Not until Rock and Roll Circus.

*Review* (Single) Heart of Stone / What a Shame

*This is part of my ongoing, personal project of listening to every Rolling Stones material released, posted onto this blog for everyone to read and for opinions to flourish. The rating doesn't mean much, because I hate ratings, but might as well.*

Heart of Stone / What a Shame

Heart of Stone

(Jagger / Richards)

Since they’re not covering anything, they have no limits. Fantastic guitar solo, and Jagger really nails it here. Definitely more emotion than Little Red Rooster, in my opinion. Great a-side.

8.5/10

What a Shame

(Jagger / Richards)

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this might be the first only-Jagger/Richards single. And what a B-side. The Rolling Stones seem to do better when they write a song then when they cover a blues song and try to fit in. A fun song along with Heart of Stone.

8.5/10

17/20

So, this is a great single. A fantastic single. I can't think of anything else to say. I guess it's nothing too fancy, which might be why I can't really pinpoint anything to talk about. At the same time, however, it's good songwriting and good playing here. And they're not covering songs!

*Review* (Single) Little Red Rooster / Off The Hook

*This is part of my ongoing, personal project of listening to every Rolling Stones material released, posted onto this blog for everyone to read and for opinions to flourish. The rating doesn't mean much, because I hate ratings, but might as well.*

Little Red Rooster / Off The Hook

Little Red Rooster

(Willie Dixon)

This is my opinion, and probably an opinion that a lot of people will not agree with, but these covers lack the heart the originals had. It makes them bland. Jagger just couldn’t reach appropriate blues voice on this one.

3/10 (ß Look, ratings by 10 now, which make low ratings look even worse)

Off The Hook

(Jagger / Richards)

Wow, that’s a drastic change from the a-side, and a much better change, even if the way Mick says hook is a bit funny. I enjoyed it, even if it was a simple song.

7.5/10 (or 3.75/5, see how weird that looks)

10.5/20

The B-side really dominates this for me. I think it’s a fun tune, and belongs up front. Little Red Rooster has some fine instruments backing it, but with Jagger up front he needs to work on getting some soul. That’s what blues is all about.

12 X 5

Released

October 17, 1964

Around and Around

(Chuck Berry)

*Quoted from Five By Five (EP)*

                It’s definitely an interesting cover, and I’m not sure if I like it. Everything’s fine, except Jagger, and I don’t even know how to explain why. I guess it’s because I’m comparing the original to this cover too much. I guess it’s just another example where Jagger seems a tad out of place.

I’m not sure if I agree with this being the first song on the album. It’s a good song, just not the best Chuck Berry cover the Stones have done, excluding the ending. The ending is nice

3.5/5

Confessin’ The Blues

(Jay McShann and Walter Brown)

*Quoted from Five By Five (EP)*

Good harmonica solo. Blues is hard to rate correctly, because you’re not really supposed to stand out in blues. Everything needs to mix together well.

3.5/5

Empty Heart

(Nanker Phelge)

*Quoted from Five By Five (EP)*

A little complaint, not relating to the Rolling Stones themselves, is how this was mixed into stereo. I don’t like it (I’m listening to the Singles 1963-1965 box set, not sure if it was re-released onto CD in any other place). Other than that first few seconds of intro, nothing too extraordinary.

The mix is still a little weird.

3/5

Time Is On My Side

(Norman Meade and Jimmy Norman)

*Quoted from (Single) Time Is On My Side / Congratulations*

Hmm. There’s a nice organ. I think this is a pretty popular song in the Rolling Stones discography. I’m trying not to let that skew my opinion right now. So here it goes; it’s alright. It’s a fun song, and that the vocals mix in well with the backing vocals, but other than that I can’t really take anything else out. But it does get a good score.

Good Times, Bad Times

(Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)

*Quoted from (Single) It’s All Over Now / Good Times, Bad Times

The second song released on record by the duo of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. And all I can say is, meh. I think that’s the bass you can hear twanging on the string. That’s a heavy bass.

2.75/5

It’s All Over Now

(Bobby Womack and Shirley Womack)

*Quoted from It’s All Over Now / Good Times, Bad Times)*

What makes that guitar solo impressive is that it’s being played in such fast speed. Still, Lennon made fun of it. What a guy. Anyway, good song. I don’t feel like 4/5 is right for it, and a 3.75 is too low. (There’s also a nice little story about how his song came to be on Wikipedia, it’s a good read.)

On my second time listening to this, I’ve noticed that bass. That is a funny bass.

3.9/5

2120 South Michigan Avenue

(Nanker Phelge)

*Quoted from Five By Five (EP)*

Organ.

But let’s expand. It’s a great jam, and everyone is together and fits nicely. Expanding finished. Also, this version is the same as the one on my Box Set version of Five By Five, but they’re the same length. So that’s wrong. Why would you do that.

4.5/5

Under the Boardwalk

(Arthur Resnick and Kenny Young)

In all honesty, it would’ve been fine if The Rolling Stones skipped this song. No one went to a concert and said “man, these rockers would do a great version of Under the Boardwalk.” However, it is surprisingly good, although the guitar is pretty lacking. The Stones should just skip Soul covering.

3.75 / 5

Congradulations

(Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)

*Picture*

Huh.

Not much to say here, but I am having a hard picking between a 2.75 and a 3. Maybe because I think a “3” is in the middle, but it’s not. Ratings are evil.

3/5

Grown Up Wrong

(Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)

Average song. Nothing more, nothing less. At least nothing more that I can think of.

3.4/5

If You Need Me

(Wilson Pickett and Robert Bateman)

So in my review of this song in Five By Five, I said I liked this song, even though I should hate it. Also in this very album, I said the Stones should stop doing Soul. But even though this is a cover of a soul song, they turned it into a nice rock song. Or at least R&B. And it’s still good, and should’ve been the opener to this album as well.

4.5/5

Suzie Q

(Dale Hawkins, Stan Lewis and Eleanor Broadwater)

This is hardly a cover. This is a imagination of the original. And I’ll tell you, what a great song to end an album. Short but sweet.

4.5/5

40.3/60 (Hey, 12 songs, with a score of 5. Woo)

An improvement over their last album, definitely. Slowly moving away from the world of covers and into the world of songwriting, with 5 songs credited to either Jagger/Richards or their pseudonym Nanker Phelge. And just because the album technically got a 40.3/60, or a 61%, that does not mean anything because ratings suck. I’ll probably start using a rating system out of 10 to make the scores look better and to give me a bigger range. Everyone seems to love this album though, and I can see why, but right now it’s not impressing me too much.

(Single) Time Is On My Side / Congratulations

*This is part of my ongoing, personal project of listening to every Rolling Stones material released, posted onto this blog for everyone to read and for opinions to flourish. The rating doesn't mean much, because I hate ratings, but might as well.*

Time Is On My Side / Congratulations

Time Is On My Side

(Norman Meade and Jimmy Norman)

Hmm. There’s a nice organ. I think this is a pretty popular song in the Rolling Stones discography. I’m trying not to let that skew my opinion right now. So here it goes; it’s alright. It’s a fun song, and that the vocals mix in well with the backing vocals, but other than that I can’t really take anything else out. But it does get a good score.

4/5

Congratulations

(Jagger/Richards)

Not much to say here, but I am having a hard picking between a 2.75 and a 3. Maybe because I think a “3” is in the middle, but it’s not. Ratings are evil.

3/5

7/10

Good A-side, OK B-side. All together a solid single.

Five By Five (EP)

Released

August 14, 1964

If You Need Me

(Wilson Pickett and Robert Bateman)

I should hate this song. Deep inside, I know that. This is the kind of song that drew me away from the Stones in the first place. But it’s a strong opener to this EP. With a heavy guitar and Jagger’s voice that fits this song.

4.5/5

Empty Heart

(Nanker Phelge)

A little complaint, not relating to the Rolling Stones themselves, is how this was mixed into stereo. I don’t like it (I’m listening to the Singles 1963-1965 box set, not sure if it was re-released onto CD in any other place). Other than that first few seconds of intro, nothing too extraordinary.

3/5

2120 South Michigan Avenue

(Nanker Phelge)

Organ.

4.5/5

Confessin’ the Blues

(Jay McShann and Walter Brown)

Good harmonica solo. Blues is hard to rate correctly, because you’re not really supposed to stand out in blues. Everything needs to mix together well.

3.5/5

Around and Around

(Chuck Berry)

It’s definitely an interesting cover, and I’m not sure if I like it. Everything’s fine, except Jagger, and I don’t even know how to explain why. I guess it’s because I’m comparing the original to this cover too much. I guess it’s just another example where Jagger seems a tad out of place.

3.5/5

19 / 25

I did a little adjusting to some of the scores, and I’m not even sure I like a 19/25 as a final score. A 21.5/25 sounds better to me, but I couldn’t adjust the individual song scores to fit. This is a great EP, and it got the Please Please Me treatment (recorded in one day on August 14, 1964). Good stuff. My one complaint will be how the stereo was mixed, as I’ve said in Empty Heart. While it wasn’t bad in a good rock song like Around and Around, it did seem weird during slower songs like Confessin’ the Blues, where some instruments were quieter than other and pushed to the left side.