This Rolling Stones continue their 60+ year ascendancy with a worthwhile vinyl singles/e.p. collector’s set.
The Rolling Stones – 7” Singles 1966-1971 ABKCO Records Limited Edition Box Set – 18×7” 45 r.p.m. singles pressed on heavy vinyl with reproduced original picture sleeves. Includes a 32-page book with liner notes, rare photos, poster and 5 photo cards, ****1/2:
(Mick Jagger – vocals, harmonica; Keith Richards – guitars, vocals; Brian Jones – guitars, sitar, vocals; Bill Wyman – bass; Charlie Watts – drums; Mick Taylor – guitars and many others)
As The Rolling Stones surpass their sixth decade on the rock music scene, their eminence remains intact. In addition to recording a new album, they are embarking on another world tour. ABKCO Records has released a vinyl box of 7” singles with B sides. The set is a follow up to the previous vinyl box that covered the years 1963-1966. The Rolling Stones – 7” Singles 1966-1971 is another superior release. The 18 discs are meticulously cut at 45 r.p.m. (from the original London and Decca masters) on “heavy” vinyl. Each sleeve has a faithful reproduction of the various record sleeves, a 32-page book, group poster, photo cards, and is housed in a sturdy box.
This is a great combination of vibrant music (re-mastered by Bob Ludwig/Abbey Road Studios) and cultural nostalgia. It represents the commercial apex of The Stones as they became the “greatest rock and roll band in the world”, finally emerging from The Beatles’ shadow. The compositional evolution of Jagger/Richards is on full display, from the exotic sitar-drenched riffs of “Paint It Black”, acoustic reverie of “No Expectations”, to the angry defiance of “Street Fighting Man” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. Transitional material like “Mother’s Little Helper”, “Out Of Time”, “Ruby Tuesday”, “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and “Lady Jane” underscore the band’s diversity and growth. This collection features some psychedelia, including “She’s A Rainbow” and the “flip” side, “2000 Light Years From Home”. There are exclusive mono mixes for “Dandelion” and “We Love You”. Another gem is Mick Jagger’s funky blues number, “Memo From Turner” from the film Performance, which includes slide guitar from Ry Cooder (there is a Side B instrumental by Cooder). Throughout the discs, guest appearances from studio aces like Al Kooper, Ian Stewart and Nicky Hopkins elevate the music.
Of course there are iconic 45’s like “Honky Tonk Women/“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Brown Sugar”/Wild Horses” (which reflect the latest of the London sessions.) But there is a sampling of eclectic material, mostly of B sides. Some of these are “Who’s Driving Your Plane” (paired with “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?”) and “Child Of The Moon” (with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”). There is also a rare Bill Wyman track, “In Another Land”. The trademark song from Beggars Banquet (“Sympathy For The Devil”) has three versions (remixes with Fatboy Slim and The Neptunes) that are noteworthy. And there is the previously unreleased “I Don’t Know Why”/“Try A Little Harder”. What always stands out is Jagger’s British-hybrid of blues and rock vocals, Richards’ unique, hook-driven playing style (complemented by Brian Jones and his replacement Mick Taylor), Bill Wyman’s underrated bass and of course, the ultimate rhythm anchor, Charlie Watts on drums.
The Rolling Stones – 7” Singles 1966-1971 is a high-quality vinyl box. The overall sound mix is balanced and rendered with complexity and significant detail. By the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the band’s vaunted “loose” mixes were becoming quite polished, with tracking and overdubs. The packaging of this box set is top-notch, including the reproduced picture sleeve art which is flawless. This is a bona fide collector’s item for any Stones or vinyl aficionados.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
The Rolling Stones – 7″ Singles, Box Set
Disc 1: Paint It, Black; Stupid Girl
Disc 2: Paint It Black; Long Long While
Disc 3: Mother’s Little Helper; Lady Jane
Disc 4: Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?; Who’s Driving Your Plane
Disc 5: Let’s Spend The Night Together; Ruby Tuesday
Disc 6: We Love You; Dandelion
Disc 7: She’s a Rainbow; 2000 Light Years From Home
Disc 8: In Another Land; The Lantern
Disc 9: Jumpin’ Jack Flash; Child Of The Moon
Disc 10: Street Fighting Man; No Expectations
Disc 11: Honky Tonk Women; You Can’t Always Get What You Want;
Disc 12: Memo From Turner; Natural Magic
Disc 13: Street Fighting Man; Surprise Surprise; Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
Disc 14: Brown Sugar; Wild Horses
Disc 15: I Don’t Know Why; Try A Little Harder
Disc 16: Out Of Time; Jiving Sister Fanny
Disc 17: Honky Tonk Women; Sympathy For The Devil
Disc 18: Sympathy For The Devil (Neptunes Remix); Sympathy For The Devil (Fatboy Slim Remix)
More information through ABKCO
