107. Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)




















Track Listing

1. Sympathy For The Devil
2. No Expectations
3. Dear Doctor
4. Parachute Woman
5. Jigsaw Puzzle
6. Street Fighting Man
7. Prodigal Son
8. Stray Cat Blues
9. Factory Girl
10. Salt Of The Earth

Review

We are finally out of 1967 and 1968 starts with one of the best, if not the best Rolling Stones album. After three days of listening to this I finally understand Rolling Stones fans, which I didn't before. Of all their albums reviewed here until now this is the first one which can be called truly amazing.

The Stones are at their peak here. All the tracks on the album are perfectly made, from the African drums of Sympathy, followed by the rolling guitar in No Expectations and then the country-rock, Blanche-style of Dear Doctor so on and so forth, even exploring some proto-celtic rock with Factory Girl.

Also, the new remastered version and the version in SACD which you can get on Napster is extremely crisp-sounding, like it was recorded yesterday. And this music with it's Rhythm and Blues origins does not sound dated today but timeless. Truly great stuff and frankly there is no track below exceptional here.

Frankly, I don't think that the totality of the Stone's catalogue can really make them the greatest band ever (The Beatles have a much better claim), but this album is certainly a gem. Stream it from Napster or buy it at Amazon UK or US.

Track Highlights

1. Sympathy For The Devil
2. Street Fighting Man
3. No Expectations
4. Dear Doctor

Final Grade

10/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

(...) both Decca Records in England and London Records rejected the planned cover design - a graffiti-covered lavatory, and the band held back the album. By November, however, The Rolling Stones gave in, allowing the album to be released in December with a simple imitation invitation card cover. However, its simple design once got the Rolling Stones accused of copying their rivals, The Beatles who just released their minimalist art cover for what would be become to be known as the "The White Album". In 1984, the original cover art was released with the initial CD remastering of Beggars Banquet.