"You Got The Power: CAMEO PARKWAY Northern Soul 1964-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Four Exceptions, Evie Sands, Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, Bunny Sigler, Jerry Jackson, The Orlons, Bobby Paris, Chubby Checker, Eddie Holman and more (June 2020 US ABKCO Records CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Shake And Shingaling..."

I've reviewed nearly 500 or so R&B and Soul CDs across the years and most buyers will not be in the least bit surprised when I rave about England's Kent Soul releases, Bear Family's Sweet Soul Music Series (15 amazing volumes out of Germany) or any number of American Rhino R&B, Funk and Soul Box Sets. Other British labels like Edsel, Demon and Soul Jazz Records in my prayers too. 

Add to that roster stunning independent newcomers like England's SoulMusic, Big Break Records (of Cherry Red) and Real Gone Music (of the USA) - and it comes as something of a shock to me when I now find myself championing a (ahem) 'major' label - in this case ABKCO Records of the USA - a set of letters far more associated with copyright shenanigans to do with The Rolling Stones and their late 60ts catalogue on London/Decca. 

But, I recently bought and reviewed ABKCO's stunning Sam Cooke 5CD Box Set "The Complete KEEN Years: 1957 to 1960" of 2020 - and here's yet another unassuming gem come slithering out of that New York City-based camp. Perhaps because there are so many Soul Reissues these days – it has gone slightly unnoticed. We need to rectify that. 

For sure "You Got The Power" boasts only 20 Northern Soul tracks from an array of labels under the Cameo-Parkway umbrella (those US 45-labels are pictured on the last page of the booklet) and with that sub 52-minute total playing time, it really should have had five or six more rarities added in. 

But with ADY CROASDELL compilation choices (some of these 1964 to 1967 cuts are so sought after) and TERI LANDI first-generation tape transfers - what "You Got The Power..." loses in waist bulge, it more than makes up for in quality stitching. Fit? It's a cracking listen, and fun too. Let's get to the Shake and the Shingaling...

US released 19 June 2020 - "You Got The Power: (Cameo Parkway) Northern Soul 1964-1967" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on ABKCO 8536-2 (Barcode 018771853626) offers 20-Tracks Remastered and plays out as follows (51:53 minutes):

1. You Got The Power - THE FOUR EXCEPTIONS (June 1966, Parkway P-986, A-side)

2. Because Of My Heart - FRANKIE BEVERLY & THE BUTLERS (1967, Fairmount F-1017, A-side - also 2012 UK Reissue on Outta Sight OSV-074, A-side)

3. (Whao, Whoa) I Love Him So - NIKKI BLU (November 1964, Parkway P-931, A-side - Chubby Checker Production - Ernest Evans and Thom Bell song)

4. Girl Don't Make Me Wait - BUNNY SIGLER (December 1966, Parkway P-123, A-side - Leon Huff song)

5. It's Rough Out There - JERRY JACKSON (September 1966, Parkway P-100, A-side - also October 1966 UK on Cameo-Parkway P-100, A-side and Reissued 2012 UK on Outta Sight OVS-076)

6. Envy In My Eyes - THE ORLONS (October 1965, Cameo C-384, B-side of "No Love But Your Love" - Gamble & Huff Production of Eugene Dozier song)

7. Picture Me Gone - EVIE SANDS (June 1966, Cameo C-413, A-side - also August 1966 UK on Cameo-Parkway C 413, A-side - from the Motion Picture Soundtrack "Step Out Of Your Mind" - a Chip Taylor, Al Gorgoni song)

8. Country Girl - VICKIE BARNES (November 1965, Parkway P-966, A-side)

9. Night Owl - BOBBY PARIS (February 1966, Cameo C-396, B-side of "Tears On My Pillow" - November 1977 UK reissue on London HLU 10553, B-side of "You Didn't Say A Word")

10. Village Of Tears - BEN ZINE (July 1966, Parkway P-996, B-side of "What The Heck's The Hanky Panky")

11. You Just Don't Know (What You Do To Me) - CHUBBY CHECKER (December 1965, Parkway P-965, A-side - January 1966 UK on Cameo Parkway P 862, B-side of "Two Hearts Make One Love")

12. The 81 - CANDY AND THE KISSES (October 1964, Cameo C-336, A-side - January 1965 UK on Cameo-Parkway C 336, A-side)

13. Shake And Shingaling (Part 1) - GENE WALTERS (1967, Fairmount F-1018, A-side)

14. S.O.S. (Heart In Distress) - CHRISTINE COOPER (January 1966, Parkway P-971, A-side) 

15. Eddie's My Name - EDDIE HOLMAN (April 1966, Parkway P-981, B-side of "Don't Stop Now")

16. Pass Me By - HATTIE WINSTON (1964, Parkway P-956, A-side)

17. The Grass (Will Sing For You) - LONNIE YOUNGBLOOD (November 1966, Fairmount F-1016, A-side)

18. (Your Love Was Just A) False Alarm - TARI STEVENS (March 1955, Fairmount F-1001, A-side)

19. Who Do You Think You Are - THE SOUL CITY (1967, Good Time GT-802, B-side of "Cold Hearted Blues")

20. You Didn't Say A Word - YVONNE BAKER (March 1967, Parkway P-140, B-side of "To Prove My Love Is True" - November 1977 UK reissue on London HLU 10553, A-side)

There are very classy black and white publicity shots of Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, Evie Sands, Candy And The Kisses (their single "The 81" actually dented the US Billboard charts at No. 19 R&B, No. 51 Pop), Christine Cooper, Yvonne Baker, The Orlons, Eddie Holman and Bunny Sigler who each get a page shot, and so on. The track-by-track annotation includes songwriting credits, US and UK Catalogue Numbers, US chart info if any and the last page of the booklet gives you a collage 16 rare 45 labels - Cameo, Parkway, Fairmount, England's Cameo-Parkway. It's nicely done and Croasdell goes into the songs and their history with typically enthusiastic and informative details. The TERI LANDI Remasters are tremendous - full of punch and the sheer hutzpah that 60ts Soul recordings elicit. To the tunes... 

A frantic bom-bom backing group of boys and girls anchors the 'goddess of temptation...relieve me of my frustration' dance-a-thon that is "You Got The Power" - The Four Exceptions tearing into it like their lives depended on it. It's a cool opener and a taster of themes. As it is with all the best Northern Soul compilations like this, misery and elation are the subject matters. My man's the best (say the girls), better than all the crappy rest, then quickly descending in emotional scales to false alarms, jealousy, envy, broken hearts, tickers in distress, send out an S.O.S. to the love doctor - you get the picture. 

Take "Pass Me By" by Hattie Winston, a Thom Bell Production of a song he co-wrote with Arthur Ross. She starts her story with "I was your only girl...I don't know why you cheated and lied..." and in comes the brass and strings as the drums whack out the hoo-hoo pain in the chorus. You can just imagine earnest young men shimmying on a Northern Soul night dancefloor loving every "...now that you disown me..." line (is it any wonder people want the 45 and Croasdell included it here). 

Eddie Holman doesn't drive a big car, doesn't act like a movie star, because pleasin' is his game and he assures us in the great dancer "Eddie's My Name" that business is good (you go Eddie). Evie Sands has eyes and she can see that some other girl is telling her man that it's over, but she pleads "Picture Me Gone" (another great strings and melodrama dancer). And on it goes...

"... What a fool you've been..." - Bobby Paris tells us in his cautionary "Night Owl" B-side. Northern Soul fans need to buy this and not make a mistake like poor heartbroken Bobby...

"The Complete KEEN Years: 1957-1960" by SAM COOKE – Featuring Five Albums – "Sam Cooke" (January 1958, Mono Only), "Encore" (November 1958, Mono Only), "Tribute To The Lady" (April 1959, Mono and Stereo Mixes Included), "Hit Kit" (October 1959, Mono Only, Eight Bonuses, Seven In Stereo) and "The Wonderful World Of Sam Cooke" (October 1960, Mono Only, Six Bonuses all in Mono) (January 2020 US ABKCO 5CD Clamshell Box Set with Oversized Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves, 36-Page Booklet and Teri Landi Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...You Send Me..."

I'm 62 years of age and will be 63 come 28 September 1958. 

I mention these numeric milestones, because by the time I was 2 months old in November 1958 (swivelling no doubt in a very aromatic terry towel), our handsome hero over in a highly segregated Americas had already clocked up two whole albums on Keen Records. And in September 1957 (the year prior) at the suited-and-booted age of only 26, Samuel Cook (he added the 'e') had already launched that label with a genuine sensation - the sublime "You Send Me" – a song which some say started what we now affectionately call SOUL MUSIC. What are you doing today Sam? Oh, I'm just inventing Soul Music Mark. Ok bro. 

The sophisticated sway and lilt in "You Send Me" was a ballbreaker – the Cooke original smashing down genres walls everywhere. It topped the Pop and R&B charts in the States selling 2-million copies in the process and in November 1957 would see his first UK 45/78 on London reach No. 29 on the fledgling NME charts. You could (and should) of course argue that Ray Charles had already done R&B that bordered on Soul Music on Atlantic Records (and had been since 1953, no deference meant). But Sam Cooke will always be the man in my books – the Man who took Gospel and Secular Music to the next level and invented Soul in the morphing process. Which brings us to this truly gorgeous splurge from ABKCO of America.

Truth be told (and apart from the rather maudlin crooner tunes Keen and RCA Victor both foisted on him to appeal to a white market that bought LPs), Cooke's 'Keen' recordings have been out of the 50-year copyright parameters for some years now, so you can pick up variants of the 65-tracks contained within this January 2020 release elsewhere for say eight quid. I paid £32 for my "Complete KEEN Years..." in an Amazon reduction, but it can go for nearer £40. So why pay more? 

All the right reasons - the care given this Box Set is exemplary starting with five beautifully reproduced oversized Mini LP Card Sleeves (see photos supplied) of those staggeringly rare Fifties and 1960 originals (two offering you both Mono and Stereo mixes while two others lop on the straggler singles and stand-alone stuff as Bonuses). They can be lifted out of the Clamshell Box Set by a white ribbon and a very smart move is to supply each with an inner protective bag like those Japanese issues (classy). The 36-page oversized booklet is gorgeous too, comprehensive new liner notes by Cooke expert MICHAEL CORCORAN, black and white and colour photos (a proof sheet of shots holds the centre pages), master-tape boxes, trade adverts, singles and LP discographies (US and UK), session details and so on. 

But the real deal is the stunning transfers and mastering courtesy of a team at ABKCO headed up by TERI LANDI. In a nutshell, this Box Set features Five Albums – "Sam Cooke" (January 1958, Mono Only), "Encore" (November 1958, Mono Only), "Tribute To The Lady" (April 1959, Mono and Stereo Mixes Included), "Hit Kit" (October 1959, Mono Only, Eight Bonuses, Seven In Stereo) and "The Wonderful World Of Sam Cooke" (October 1960, Mono Only, Six Bonuses all in Mono). As you can see, two of the CDs give you both MONO and STEREO Mixes of the albums while some of the Bonus Tracks have rare STEREO-Only 45 Mixes and there are two exclusives from the 1960 Various Artists "I Thank God" LP. 

Unlike dodgy budget issues, these tapes have been given a dust off that will make even the most weary fan sit up and grin, maybe even (like me) shed a wee Soulful tear. To say that these are actually Audiophile (especially given their vintage) isn't an understatement - they will wow you. And if there's ever a VINYL variant of this set, collectors will need to grab that sucker with both hands because playable copies of the original US or UK LPs are so hard to locate. Loads to discuss - let's pay tribute to the great man...

US released 24 January 2020 - "The Complete KEEN Years: 1957-1960" by SAM COOKE on ABKCO Records 018771850328 (018771850328) is a 5CD 65-Track Clamshell Box Set with Mini LP Repro Card Sleeves and New Remasters that plays out as follows: 

CD1 "Sam Cooke" (34:01 minutes): 

1. You Send Me [Side 1]

2. The Lonesome Road 

3. Tammy 

4. Ol' Man River 

5. Moonlight In Vermont 

6. Canadian Sunset 

7. Summertime (Part 2) [Side 2]

8. Around The World 

9. Ain't Misbehavin'

10. The Bells Of St. Mary's 

11. So Long 

12. Danny Boy 

13. That Lucky Old Sun 

Tracks 1 to 13 are his second album "Sam Cooke" [aka "Songs By Sam Cooke"] - released January 1958 in the USA on Keen A-2001 and March 1958 in the UK on H.M.V. CLP 1261 (both only in Mono). Produced by Bumps Blackwell. 

CD2 "Encore" (31:31 minutes):

1. Oh, Look At Me Now [Side 1]

2. Someday (You’ll Want Me To Want You)

3. Along The Navajo Trail 

4. Running Wild 

5. Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive 

6. Mary, Mary Lou 

7. When I Fall In Love [Side 2]

8. I Cover The Waterfront 

9. My Foolish Heart 

10. Today I Sing The Blues 

11. The Gypsy 

12. It's The Talk Of The Town 

Tracks 1 to 12 are his third album "Encore" - released November 1958 in the USA on Keen A-2003 and July 1959 in the UK on H.M.V. CLP 1273 (both only in Mono). Producer BUMPS BLACKWELL. Note: The British LP changed the running order by reversing the Sides entirely; When I Fall In Love begins Side 1 in the UK and Oh, Look At Me Now begins Side 2.

CD3 "Tribute To The Lady" (57:53 minutes):

1. God Bless The Child [Side 1]

2. She's Funny That Way 

3. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues 

4. Good Morning Heartache 

5. T'aint Nobody's Business (If I Do) 

6. Comes Love 

7. Lover Girl (Man) [Side 2]

8. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off 

9. Lover Come Back To Me 

10. Solitude 

11. They Can't Take That Away From Me 

12. Crazy She Calls Me

Tracks 1 to 12 are the MONO version of "Tribute To The Lady" - is fourth album released April 1959 in the USA on Keen A-2004 (no UK issue). 

CD3 BONUS TRACKS: 

Tracks 13 to 24 are the US STEREO version of "Tribute To The Lady" (Keen S-2004) - no UK issue. Arranged and Produced by RENE HALL. 

CD4 "Hit Kit" (53:29 minutes): 

1. Only Sixteen [Side 1]

2. All Of My Life 

3. Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha 

4. Blue Moon 

5. Win Your Love For Me 

6. Lonely Island 

7. You Send Me [Side 2]

8. Love You Most Of All 

9. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons 

10. Little Things You Do 

11. Let's Go Steady Again 

12. You Were Made For Me

Tracks 1 to 12 are his fifth album "Hit Kit" - released October 1959 in the USA on Keen 86101 in Mono (no UK issue). 

CD4 BONUS TRACKS:

13. Lonely Island (Single Version)

Track 13 is a February 1958 US 45-single B-side to "You Were Made For Me" on Keen 3-4009 (4-4009 for the 78")

14. Win Your Love For Me (Stereo)

15. Almost In Your Arms (Love Song From "Houseboat") (Stereo)

Tracks 14 and 15 are the July 1958 US A&B-sides of a STEREO 45-single on Keen 3-2006 (4-2006 for the 78")

There was also a special BLUE COLOURED VINYL issue released on Keen 5-2006

NOTE: "Love You Most Of All" b/w "Win Your Love For Me" were issued as the A&B-sides of a January 1959 UK MONO 45-single on HMV 45-POP 568 (POP 568 for the 78")

16. Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha (Stereo)

17. Little Things You Do (Stereo) 

Tracks 16 and 17 are the February 1959 A&B-sides of a US STEREO 45-single on Keen 3-2018 (4-2018 for the 78")

May 1959 UK STEREO 45-single on HMV 45-POP 610 (POP 610 for the 78")

18. Only Sixteen (Stereo) 

19. Let's Go Steady Again (Stereo)

Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of a June 1959 US STEREO 45-single on Keen 5-2022 (May 1959 for the MONO variant on Keen 3-2022). Released July 1959 UK STEREO 45-single on HMV 45-POP 642 (POP 642 for the 78")  

20. With You (Stereo) - July 1960 US STEREO 45-single on Keen 8-2117 (B-side was "I Thank God") 

21. Ee-YI-Ee-YI-Oh (Stereo) - December 1960 US STEREO 45-single on Keen 8-2122 (B-side of "Mary, Mary Lou")

CD5 "The Wonderful World Of Sam Cooke" (45:41 minutes):

1. (What A) Wonderful World [Side 1]

2. Desire Me 

3. Summertime (Part 1)

4. Almost In Your Arms (Love song From "Houseboat")

5. That's Heaven To Me 

6. No One (Can Ever Take Your Place) 

7. With You [Side 2]

8. Blue Moon 

9. Stealing Kisses

10. You Were Made For Me

11. There I've Said It Again 

12. I Thank God 

Tracks 1 to 12 are his seventh album "The Wonderful World Of Sam Cooke" - released October 1960 in the USA on Keen 86106 in MONO only. Although not originally issued in the UK, it was eventually given a release in 1966 on Immediate Records IMLP 002 in Mono. 

CD5 BONUS TRACKS:

12. Steal Away (Album Version) - see NOTES

14. Deep River - see NOTES

15. One Hour Ahead Of The Posse - September 1959 US 45-single on Keen 8-2105, Non-LP B-side of "There, I've Said It Again". November 1959 in the UK on HMV 45-POP 675 

16. Ee-I-Ee-I-Oh [aka "Ee-Yi-Ee-Yi-Oh"] - December 1960 US 45-single on Keen 8-2122, Non-LP B-side of "Mary, Mary Lou" 

17. So Glamorous  

18. Steal Away (Single Version) - Tracks 17 and 18 are the A&B-sides of an October 1960 US 45-single on Keen 8-2118 (as Sam Cooke And The Stars)

NOTES: June 1960 saw a US Various Artists album called "I Thank God" on Keen 86103 in Mono that contained four contributions by Sam Cooke. Two cuts are on the "Wonderful World Of..." LP - "I Thank God" and "That's Heaven To Me" (Tracks 12 and 5 on CD5). The two exclusives to the "I Thank God" LP are "Steal Away" and "Deep River" - both in the Bonuses of CD5 (Tracks 13 and 14). 

The Teri Landi remasters are gorgeous, but I will admit that some of that crooner material they so often made him sing to cover a wide appeal – now feels so dated and even ever-so-slightly offensive (if those are the right words). But when you get into tunes like "Blue Moon", "Summertime" and even that old trickster "Ol’ Man River" – Cooke was like Presley – he could make anything sound good – imprint it with a stamp of his own. 

"Hit Kit" finally saw Cooke flex some real songwriting muscle because amidst the covers are six hugely successful originals (three or four of which were US and UK singles) - "Only Sixteen", "Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha", "Win Your Love For Me", a new version of "You Send Me", "Love You Most Of All" and "You Were Made For Me".

I know closing on forty-smackers will be a sum too much for many a casual listener, but this is a beautiful reissue to me and one that is worth the outlay. But if you have any affection for this maverick singer, musical gamechanger and golden-throated swoonfest – then "The Complete KEEN Years: 1957-1960" by Sam Cooke is the biz-schnizz for you. 

ABKCO 018771850328 made me well up inside and bawl like a 2-year old, and it's not often that you say that about any catalogue number (especially one with a Barcode). "You Send Me" is damn right...

"The Singles 1965-1967" [Box 2 of 3] by THE ROLLING STONES – Eleven 60ts UK and US 7" Singles in Repro Picture Sleeves – Three of Which Have 3 Tracks Reflecting The Different B-sides in the UK and USA. Featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins and Jack Nitzsche (Keyboards), John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin (String Arrangements) and Steve Marriott of Small Faces and later Humble Pie on Backing Vocals (January 2004 UK/EU ABKCO Records 11CD Clamshell Box Set – Steve Rosenthal, Teri Landi and Bob Ludwig Transfers, Audio Restoration and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"…We Love You…"

Ah the glorious bad boys of Rock – The Rolling Stones. The kind of trouser-snake seductive ne'er-do-well pert-bottomed reprobates a concerned mother warned you about (when she wasn't shovelling tranquillisers down her gullet).  We're we (or they) ever so young or indeed so naughty! Hell yes!

This is the second box set in a series of three covering their Satanic Majesties entire 45s output on Decca (UK) and London Records (USA) – this fab little sucker covering their first primo period of non-stop 60ts hipsville - and what a humdinger it is too. There is a mountain of info to wade through, so once more my lysergic listeners unto the nervous breakdowns and girly rainbows…

UK/Europe released 1 January 2004 – "The Singles 1965-1967" by THE ROLLING STONES on Abkco 0602498209851 (Barcode 602498209851) is the Second of Three Box Sets covering their entire Decca/London Records UK and US output on 45s. The Clamshell Box contains 11CDs in Picture Repro Sleeves featuring artwork from many different countries (10 singles by The Rolling Stones and one solo outing by Bassist Bill Wyman), Three Art Cards featuring photos from 1965, 1966 and 1967, a foldout double-sided poster (the Lady Jane single advert with Mick Jagger's face on one side with a band photo on the other) and a 28-Page Fact-Filled Booklet outlined details on each release, reissue credits etc. Its 25-tracks covering eleven 7" singles breaks down as follows…

CD1 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - 10:29 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 5 June 1965 on London 45-9766

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

UK 45, 20 August 1965 on Decca F 12220

A. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction b/w The Spider And The Fly

CD2: "Get Off Of My Cloud" - 7:41 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 24 September 1965 on London 45-9792

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w I'm Free

UK 45, 22 October 1965 on Decca F 12263

A. Get Off Of My Cloud b/w The Singer Not The Song

CD3: "As Tears Go By" - 4:52 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 18 December 1965 on London 45-9808

A. As Tears Go By b/w Gotta Get Away

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (with different A-side, US A-side relegated to the B)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown By b/w As Tears Go By

CD4: "19th Nervous Breakdown" - 7:00 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 4 February 1966 on Decca F 12331 (see Disc 3 for B-side)

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w As Tears Go By

US 45, 12 February 1966 on London 45-9823

A. 19th Nervous Breakdown b/w Sad Day

CD5: "Paint It Black" - 9:44 minutes, 3 tracks:

US 45, 6 May 1966 on London 45-901

A. Paint It Black b/w Stupid Girl

UK 45, 13 May 1966 on Decca F 12395

A. Paint It Black b/w Long Long While

CD6: "Mother's Little Helper" - 5:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 July 1966 on London 45-902 (Note: no UK issue)

A. Mother's Little Helper b/w Lady Jane

CD7: "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadows?" - 5:49 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 September 1966 on London 45-903

UK 45, 23 September 1966 on Decca F 12497

A. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in The Shadow? b/w Who's Driving Your Plane?

CD8: "Let's Spend The Night Together" - 6:40 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 13 January 1967 on Decca F 12546

US 45, 13 January 1967 on London 45-904

A. Let's Spend The Night Together b/w Ruby Tuesday

CD9: "We Love You" - 8:26 minutes, 2 tracks:

UK 45, 18 August 1967 on Decca F 12654

US 45, 2 September 1967 on London 45-905
A. We Love You b/w Dandelion

CD10: "She's A Rainbow" - 8:57 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 23 December 1967 on London 45-906

A. She's A Rainbow b/w 2000 Light Years From Home (Note: no UK issue)

CD11: "In Another Land" by BILL WYMAN/The Lantern by THE ROLLING STONES  - 7:19 minutes, 2 tracks:

US 45, 2 December 1967 on London 45-907

A. In Another Land (by BILL WYMAN) b/w The Lantern (by THE ROLLING STONES) (Note: no UK issue)

The Audio is done to a team of three – STEVE ROSENTHAL for Sound Restoration and Archive Coordination, TERI LANDI for Analogue to Digital Transfers and Tape Archive Research and BOB LUDWIG for Mastering. For instance you can really hear the contributions made by NICKY HOPKINS (Piano) and future Led Zeppelin Bassist JOHN PAUL JONES (who arranged the stings) on one of the better tracks from "Their Satanic Majesties…" LP - "She's A Rainbow". Clearer too is Brian Jones pressing down those Mellotron keys on the swirling hippy-dippy soundscape that is "2000 Light Years From Home".

I must admit that I haven't played the Wyman-penned US-only track "In Another Land" in probably four an half decades, but its now nice to hear (once again) the Remaster bring forth Nicky Hopkins lending his piano while Small Faces giant STEVE MARRIOTT taps those distinctive lungs of his for backing vocals. And 'allegedly' none other than Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles and poet Allen Ginsberg can be heard giving backing vocals to "We Love You" – a tribute to fans who supported the band during those difficult busted months (Nicky Hopkins also contributed piano).

Fans will not surprisingly adore the sheer wallop that comes of the decidedly fruity "Let's Spend The Night Together" – a song apparently written about the first time Mick and Marianne Faithfull hooked up for something we're reliably informed wasn't a fish supper. Unsung hero Jack Nitzsche plays Keyboards on both "Let's Spend The Night Together” and the Bluesy Harmonica driven B-side "Who's Driving Your Plane?" - whilst also contributing distinctive-sounding Harpsichord to the baroque elegance of "Lady Jane". Nitzsche also plays piano on a true digital obscurity – the US B-side "Sad Day” which only appeared on CD in 1989 on the triple "Singles Collection" set. And although its lyrics are now terribly dated and not the most enlightened on the planet, I've always had a thing for the Aftermath song "Stupid Girl" – way more than the rooster strut of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - a ball-breaker of a song whose fuzzed up guitars and driving rhythm changed the music world forever.

There is of course so much more here, but what you can't deny is the 'on fire' feel to it all. Like The Beatles, The Stones just hit this run of magic that would culminate in Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed and of course on into Stick Fingers and beyond.

Songs about drugs, sex, record company chaperones and grown men dressed in drag for the picture sleeves. Ah the glory. Remember them this way…

"The Rolling Stones In Mono" by THE ROLLING STONES (2016 ABKCO Records 15CD Box Set Of Remasters with Mini LP Repro Artwork and 48-Page Booklet) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Play With Fire..."

Oh lawdy mama yes. I pre-ordered this sucker the day it was announced and I've been giddy like Donald Trump at a Deluxe Toupee Convention ever since. On arrival and being a Rolling Stones reissue 'MONO' is typically a mixed bag of the fabulous vs. the downright sloppy and lazy (presentation glitches) – especially at this price and in 2016. But overall it's been worth the wait. There's a ton of info to get through and crossovers between the UK and American variants as well as the first official release of the first two British LPs in Mono on CD ("Rolling Stones No.1" and "No. 2") - so let's get to the factoids first...

UK and USA released Friday, 30 September 2016 – "The Rolling Stones In Mono" by THE ROLLING STONES on ABKCO Records 018771834526 (Barcode 018771834526) is a Remastered 15CD Box Set with a 48-Page booklet containing all of the UK and USA albums released between 1964 and 1969 on Decca, London and ABKCO Records (MONO only) and plays out as follows:

Disc 1 "The Rolling Stones" (32:51 minutes, 12 Tracks, UK Mono LP):

1. Route 66

2. I Just Want To Make Love To You

3. Honest I Do

4. Mona

5. Now I've Got A Witness (Like Uncle Phil And Uncle Gene)

6. Little By Little

7. I'm A King Bee [Side 2]

8. Carol

9. Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

10. Can I Get A Witness

11. You Can Make It If You Try

12. Walking The Dog

Tracks 1 to 12 are their debut album "The Rolling Stones" – released 17 April 1964 in the UK on Decca LK 4605 (Mono only) – first time on CD.

Their US debut album was called "England's Newest Hitmakers" – released 3 May 1964 on London LL 3373 (Mono) and London PS 375 (Stereo). The Bo Diddley cover of "Mona" from the British LP was dropped in favour of "Not Fade Away" - a Buddy Holly cover version (see Track 10, Disc 15). The other tracks remained the same and to sequence that US album from these discs use the following [10/15 = Track 10, Disc 15, 5/1 = Track 5, Disc 1 etc]:

1. Not Fade Away [10/15]

2. Route 66 [1/1]

3. I Just Want To Make Love To You [2/1]

4. Honest I Do [3/1]

5. Now I've Got A Witness... [5/1]

6. Little By Little [6/1]

7. I'm A King Bee [7/1] [Side 2]

8. Carol [8/1]

9. Tell Me (You're Coming Back) [9/1]

10. Can I Get A Witness [10/1]

11. You Can Make It If You Try [11/1]

12. Walking The Dog [12/1]

Disc 2 "12 x 5" (32:27 minutes, 12 Tracks, US Mono LP):

1. Around And Around

2. Confessin' The Blues

3. Empty Heart

4. Time Is On My Side

5. Good Times, Bad Times

6. It's All Over Now

7. 2120 South Michigan Avenue [Side 2]

8. Under The Boardwalk

9. Congratulations

10. Grown Up Wrong

11. If You Need Me

12. Susie Q

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 2nd US album "12 x 5" – released 23 October 1964 on London LL 3402 (Mono) and London PS 402 (Stereo).

Disc 3 "The Rolling Stones No. 2" (37:02 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP):

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

2. Down Home Girl

3. You Can't Catch Me

4. Time Is On My Side (Guitar Intro Version)

5. What A Shame

6. Grown Up Wrong

7. Down The Road Apiece [Side 2]

8. Under The Boardwalk

9. I Can't Be Satisfied

10. Pain In My Heart

11. Off The Hook

12. Susie Q

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 2nd UK LP "The Rolling Stones No. 2" – released 30 January 1965 on Decca LK 4661 (Mono only) – first time on CD.

Disc 4 "The Rolling Stones, Now!" (35:58 minutes, 12 Tracks, US Mono LP):

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

2. Down Home Girl

3. You Can't Catch Me

4. Heart Of Stone

5. What A Shame

6. Mona (I Need You Baby)

7. Down The Road Apiece [Side 2]

8. Off The Hook

9. Pain In My Heart

10. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin')

11. Little Red Rooster

12. Surprise Surprise

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 3rd US album "The Rolling Stones Now!" - released 12 February 1965 on London LL 3420 (Mono) and London PS 420 (Stereo)

Disc 5 "Out Of Our Heads" (33:41 minutes, 12 tracks, US Mono LP variant):

1. Mercy Mercy

2. Hitch Hike

3. The Last Time

4. That's How Strong My Love Is

5. Good Times

6. I'm Alright

7. Satisfaction [Side 2]

8. Cry To Me

9. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

10. Play With Fire

11. The Spider And The Fly

12. One More Try

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 4th US album "Out Of Our Heads" - released 30 July 1965 on London LL 3429 (Mono) and London PS 429 (Stereo).

The UK LP "Out Of Our Heads" (their 3rd British LP release) was issued 24 September 1965 on Decca LK 4733 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4733 (Stereo) but with different artwork and a radically different track list – presented here as Disc 6.

Disc 6 "Out Of Our Heads" (29:37 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. She Said Yeah

2. Mercy Mercy

3. Hitch Hike

4. That's How Strong My Love Is

5. Good Times

6. Gotta Get Away

7. Talkin' 'Bout You [Side 2]

8. Cry To Me

9. Oh Baby (We've Got A Good Thing Goin')

10. Heart Of Stone

11. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man

12. I'm Free

Disc 7 "December's Children (And Everybody)" (29:07 minutes, 12 tracks, US Mono LP):

1. She Said Yeah

2. Talkin' About You

3. You Better Move On

4. Look What You've Done

5. The Singer Not The Song

6. Route 66

7. Get Off Of My Cloud [Side 2]

8. I'm Free

9. As Tears Go By

10. Gotta Get Away

11. Blue Turns To Grey

12. I'm Moving On

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th album "December's Children (And Everybody's)" - released 4 December 1965 on London LL 3431 and London PS 451 (Stereo).

Disc 8 "Aftermath" (52:47 minutes, 14-tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. Mother's Little Helper

2. Stupid Girl

3. Lady Jane

4. Under My Thumb

5. Doncha Bother Me

6. Goin' Home

7. Flight 505 [Side 2]

8. High And Dry

9. Out Of Time

10. It's Not Easy

11. I Am Waiting

12. Take It Or Leave It

13. Think

14. What To Do

Tracks 1 to 14 are their 4th UK album "Aftermath" - released 15 April 1966 on Decca LK 4786 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4786 (Stereo).

The US variant of "Aftermath" dropped three of the British tally of 14 tracks (down to 11) and replaced them with their recent US hit "Paint It Black" as the opening track on Side 1 and like "Out Of Our Heads" - it also featured different artwork to the US issue. Disc 9 is the American version.

Disc 9 "Aftermath" (43:01 minutes, 11 tracks, US Mono LP variant):

1. Paint It Black

2. Stupid Girl

3. Lady Jane

4. Under My Thumb

5. Doncha Bother Me

6. Think

7. Flight 505 [Side 2]

8. High And Dry

9. It's Not Easy

10. I Am Waiting

11. Going Home

Tracks 1 to 11 are their 6th US album "Aftermath" - released 2 July 1966 on London LL 3476 (Mono) and London PS 476 (Stereo).

Disc 10 "Between The Buttons" (38:47 minutes, 12 tracks, UK Mono LP variant):

1. Yesterday's Papers

2. My Obsession

3. Back Street Girl

4. Connection

5. She Smiled Sweetly

6. Cool, Calm & Collected

7. All Sold Out [Side 2]

8. Please Go Home

9. Who's Been Sleeping Here?

10. Complicated

11. Miss Amanda Jones

12. Something Happened To Me Yesterday

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 5th UK album "Between The Buttons" - released 20 January 1967 on Decca LK 4852 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4852 (Stereo).

The US variant of "Between The Buttons" dropped down from 12 to 11 and also had different tracks lists to its UK equivalent. Using Discs 10 and 11 the US "Between The Buttons" LP can be sequenced as follows [3/11 = Track 3 on Disc 11 - 1/10 = Track 1 on Disc 10 etc]:

Side 1:

1. Let's Spend The Night Together [3/11]

2. Yesterday's Papers [1/10]

3. Ruby Tuesday [1/11]

4. Connection [4/10]

5. She Smiled Sweetly [5/10]

6. Cool Calm And Collected [6/10]

Side 2:

1. All Sold Out [7/10]

2. My Obsession [2/10]

3. Who's Been Sleeping Here? [9/10]

4. Miss Amanda Jones [11/10]

5. Something Happened To Me Yesterday [12/10]

Their 7th US album "Between The Buttons" was released 11 February 1967 on London LL 3499 (Mono) and London PS 499 (Stereo).

Disc 11 "Flowers" (37:04 minutes, 12 tracks, US-only Mono LP):

1. Ruby Tuesday

2. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

3. Let's Spend The Night Together

4. Lady Jane

5. Out Of Time

6. My Girl

7. Backstreet Girl [Side 2]

8. Please Go Home

9. Mother's Little Helper

10. Take It Or Leave It

11. Ride On, Baby

12. Sittin' On A Fence

Tracks 1 to 12 are their 8th studio album "Flowers" - released (US only) 15 July 1967 on London LL 3509 (Mono) and London PS 509 (Stereo).

Disc 12 "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (44:18 minutes, 10 tracks, UK and US Mono LP):

1. Sing This All Together [Side 1: Frontside]

2. Citadel

3. In Another Land

4. 2000 Man

5. Sing This All Together (See What Happens)

6. She's A Rainbow [Side 2: Backside]

7. The Lantern

8. Gomper

9. 2000 Light Years From Home

10. On With The Show

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th UK LP (9th US LP) "Their Satanic Majesties Request" - released 8 December 1967 in the USA on London NP 2 (Mono) and London NPS 2 (Stereo) and 9 December 1967 in the UK on Decca TXL 103 (Mono) and Decca TXS 103 (Stereo).

Disc 13 "Beggars Banquet" (40:00 minutes, 11 tracks, UK and US Mono LP - uses the US artwork):

1. Sympathy For The Devil

2. No Expectations

3. Dear Doctor

4. Parachute Woman

5. Jigsaw Puzzle

6. Street Fighting Man [Side 2]

7. Prodigal Son

8. Stray Cat Blues

9. Factory Girl

10. Salt Of The Earth

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 6th UK studio album (10th US LP) "Beggars Banquet" - released 6 December 1968 in the UK on Decca LK 4955 (Mono) and Decca SKL 4955 (Stereo) and 7 December 1968 in the USA on London LL 3539 (Mono) and London PS 539 (Stereo).

Disc 14 "Let It Bleed" (42:25 minutes, 9 Tracks, UK and US Mono LP):

1. Gimme Shelter

2. Love In Vain

3. Country Honk

4. Live With Me

5. Let It Bleed

6. Midnight Rambler [Side 2]

7. You Got The Silver

8. Monkey Man

9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

Tracks 1 to 9 are their 7th UK studio album (11th US LP) "Let It Bleed" - released 28 November 1969 in the USA on London NP 4 (Mono) and London NPS 4 (Stereo) and 5 December 1969 in the UK on Decca LK 5025 (Mono) and Decca SKL 5025 (Stereo).

Disc 15 "Stray Cats" (70:17 minutes, 24 Tracks):

1. Come On

2. I Want To Be Loved

Tracks 1 and 2 are the non-album A&B-sides of their debut UK 7" single released 7 June 1963 on Decca F 11675

3. I Wanna Be Your Man [Lennon-McCartney song]

4. Stoned [Instrumental]

Tracks 3 and 4 are the non-album A&B-sides of their 2nd UK 7" single released 1 November 1963 on Decca F 11764

5. Fortune Teller (A Benny Spellman cover version on the 1964 UK LP compilation "Saturday Club" on Decca LK 4583)

6. Poison Ivy (Version 1) (A Coasters cover version on the 1964 UK LP compilation "Saturday Club" on Decca LK 4583)

7. Bye Bye Johnny

8. Money

9. Poison Ivy (Version 2)

Tracks 7, 8 and 9 are on their first UK EP (Extended Play) "The Rolling Stones" released 10 January 1964 on Decca DFE 8560

10. Not Fade Away (A Buddy Holly cover version, 21 February 1964 UK 7" single on Decca F 11845, A-side)

11. I've Been Loving You Too Long (an Otis Redding cover version and 1965 outtake minus the fake applause of the "Got Live If You Want It" LP version)

12. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man (Single Version) (5 June 1965 US 7" single on London 9766, B-side of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction")

13. 19th Nervous Breakdown (4 Feb 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12331, A-side)

14. Sad Day (12 February 1966 US 7" single on London 9823, non-album B-side of "19th Nervous Breakdown")

15. Con Le Mie Lacrime (As Tears Go By) - (Italian Language Version sung by Jagger on the Italian 1956 7" single for Decca F22270)

16. Long, Long While (13 May 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12395, non-album B-side of "Paint It Black")

17. Who's Driving Your Plane? (23 September 1966 UK 7" single on Decca F 12497, non-album B-side to "Have You Seen Your Mother...")

18. We Love You (Single Version)

19. Dandelion (Single Version) (Tracks 18 and 19 are the A&B-sides of the 18 August 1967 UK 7" single on Decca F 12654)

20. Child Of The Moon (23 May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F 12782, non-album B-side to "Jumping Jack Flash")

21. Jumpin' Jack Flash (23 May 1968 UK 7" single on Decca F 12782, non-album A-side)

22. Street Fighting Man (Single Version) (30 August 1968 US 7" single on London 909, A-side)

23. Honky Tonk Women (Single Version)

24. You Can't Always Get What You Want (Single Version Edit) (Tracks 23 and 24 are the A&B-sides of the 11 July 1969 UK 7" single on Decca F 12952)

This Box Set will also allow fans to sequence two iconic compilation Best Of LPs from the period – "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" and "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" in both their US and UK variants using the follow tracks:

"Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" – US LP

Side 1:

1. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

2. The Last Time

3. As Tears Go By

4. Time Is On My Side

5. It's All Over Now

6. Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

Side 2:

1. 19th Nervous Breakdown

2. Heart Of Stone

3. Get Off Of My Cloud

4. Not Fade Away

5. Good Times Bad Times

6. Play With Fire

Their first greatest hits compilation "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" was released 11 March 1966 in the US on London NP 1 (Mono) and London NPS 1 (Stereo). All tracks on previous albums except "19th Nervous Breakdown" which was exclusive to this compilation.

"Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" – UK LP

Side 1:

1. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

2. Paint It Black

3. It’s All Over Now

4. The Last Time

5. Heart Of Stone

6. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Side 2:

1. Get Off Of My Cloud

2. As Tears Go By

3. 19th Nervous Breakdown

4. Lady Jane

5. Time Is On My Side

6. Little Red Rooster

Their first greatest hits compilation "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" was released 4 November 1966 in the UK on Decca TXL 101 (Mono) and Decca TXS 101 (Stereo). All tracks on previous albums except "19th Nervous Breakdown" which was exclusive to this compilation.

"Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" - US LP

Side 1:

1. Paint It Black

2. Ruby Tuesday

3. She's A Rainbow

4. Jumpin' Jack Flash

5. Mother's Little Helper

6. Let's Spend The Night Together

Side 2:

1.Honky Tonk Women

2. Dandelion

3. 2000 Light Years From Home

4. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

5. Street Fighting Man

Their 2nd Greatest Hits compilation "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" was released 12 September 1969 in the US on London NP 3 (Mono) and London NPS 3 (Stereo). All tracks previously released on various US albums.

"Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" - UK LP

Side 1:

1. Jumpin' Jack Flash

2. Mother's Little Helper

3. 2000 Light Years From Home

4. Let's Spend The Night Together

5. You Better Move On

6. We Love You

Side 2:

1. Street Fighting Man

2. She's A Rainbow

3. Ruby Tuesday

4. Dandelion

5. Sittin On A Fence

6. Honky Tonk Women

Their 2nd Greatest Hits compilation "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" was released in the UK 12 September 1969 on Decca LK 5019 (Mono) and Decca LKS 5019 (Stereo). All tracks previously released on British albums except the four single sides "We Love You", "Dandelion", "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Honky Tonk Women" which were new to a British LP here.

CREDITS:

DAVID FRICKE does the expert and affectionately written liner notes (Pages 1 to 43) that are accompanied by beautifully rendered black and white and colour period photos of the band from the TERRY O’NEILL Archive. There are all the 14 variants of album covers pictured but disappointingly for such a prestigious project there's zero memorabilia, foreign picture sleeves (where's the beautiful Italian Picture Sleeve to "Con Le Mie Lacrime"? a song featured on the "Stray Cats" double or the iconic American artwork to "19th Nervous Breakdown" with its exclusive "Sad Day" B-side and of course the uber rare "Street Fighting Man"), trade adverts or even an indication from the sedate photos of just how much mayhem this unruly mob of R&B reprobates caused around the world. It’s classy for sure but there's little acknowledgement of 'The Rolling Stones' if you know what I mean - all a bit sedate really for my tastes...

SOUND:

But that's small beer to the really big deal news – the superb new MONO AUDIO. Mastered by BOB LUDWIG at Gateway Mastering - a team of three handled the transfers – STEVE ROSENTHAL and TED YOUNG did Sound Restoration while TERI LANDI did Analogue-to-Digital Transfers and Tape Research. GUS SKINAS is the DSD consultant while SEAN MAGEE and ALEX WHARTON did the Lacquer Cutting for the Vinyl Version at Abbey Road Studios. First generation tapes were used and as David Fricke enthuses on Page 3 of the excellent liner notes - the whole shebang is 'newly remastered with unprecedented fidelity and revelatory detail'. And I'd agree with that. I've waded through the lot over the weekend and I'm convinced by everything up to "Satanic Majesties" (far better in Mono to my ears) - but not so persuaded by "Beggars Banquet" or "Let It Bleed" (which the liner notes acknowledge were never true Mono in the first place) – I'll take the Stereo versions of those from the 2002 ABKCO SACD/DSD reissues any day of the week. And listening to the array on "Stray Cats" is a blast...like a weird 'Best Of' you've never sequenced before...

CONTENTS:

'Made In The Czech Republic' on the base of the oversized glossy clamshell box is probably not what every Stones fan wants to read immediately – but I'd have to say that once inside the EU version of ABKCO Records 018771834526 the detail is impressive and at times beautifully tactile. The credits page is pasted onto the back of the box so its not one of those annoying sheets that falls away the second you undo the shrink-wrap. Each oversized glossy full-colour hard card sleeve is held in a resealable 300 grams plastic and the glossy CDs themselves protected on the inside by an anti-static Japanese plastic so the surface of the disc remains un-scuffed by the card repro. But even though they look the part - practically speaking - re-sealable plastics are a frigging nightmare to actually use. Anyone who knows what those Japanese versions are like will cringe - they look gorgeous but tear so easily and the sealable flap sticks to the sleeve on exit and entry. Fortunately as these are all 'glossy' hard-card sleeves that won't matter too much. Also instead of those brittle Japanese issues - ABKCO have smartly used a durable plastic on their re-sealable wraps. It's a little thing to note for sure - but if you actually want to play these and not rip strips off of your repro artwork every time you open them - it's a smart move.

I like the flip-over lid, the covers in their plastics fit snugly within the box and the booklet looks the part too. The rear sleeves are paste-on for the first few albums and 'No. 1' even comes with the 'Mona' track credit of the first British pressing (later issues have "I Need You Baby"). But rather stupidly they've used the American 'Toilet' sleeve for "Beggars Banquet" and then the British white sleeve by way of compensation to UK fans on the "Stray Cats" gatefold cover - when I feel it should have been the other way around. All the red labels on the CDs ape the Decca Mono LP look but "Beggars Banquet" has a US sleeve and a Decca CD Label when it should have been London of course to reflect the correct US issue (sloppy). And while its smart to have the track list in the same script font as the UK "Beggars Banquet" LP on the "Stray Cats" 2CD compilation - other than that there's no song details either in the booklet or on the artwork as to what track is what on "Stray Cats" or on any of the other LPs for that matter. Why in God's name aren't the LPs listed inside the booklet – songwriting credits, release dates, catalogue numbers, the differences between US and UK LPs - like say the two superlative Bowie boxes have done? At least David Fricke gives some explanation of the odds and sods tracks on the "Stray Cats" double on the final pages of the booklet but there's no catalogue numbers or release dates on anything (you'll get more info from my review). "Let It Bleed" is missing the poster, the red inner sleeve with track details and the 'Poster Included' sticker that came with British originals on the front cover is also AWOL (see PS re Japanese version below). The booklet does admits that "Beggars Banquet" and "Let It Bleed" are not True Mono but are really only included for completeness. And where are those Decca/London Inner Bags that came with original UK and US issues? It’s all a tad haphazard really after all these years waiting.

On the up side - fans will know that the first two British albums "Rolling Stones No. 1" and "No. 2" were originally released in Mono in the UK for a limited time (later in other territories) and have been officially AWOL on CD forever - a fact that seems amazing in 2016. So it's very cool to see their release here at last. The typo error of "Congradulations" to "Congratulations" on "12 x 5" has been made on the rear sleeve and US fans will appreciate the inclusion of 'both' sides of the Mono coin - the US and UK variants with their different track line-ups - even if there is a wee bit of duplication. A little about that too...

UK and US LPs and THE TWO "Big Hits" COMPILATIONS:

The UK and US LPs didn't merge track-wise until "Their Satanic Majesties Request" in late 1967 - so all the Mono variants of those first eight American studio LPs can be sequenced using this box - as well as iconic compilation LPs like "Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass)" from November 1966 (with "19th Nervous Breakdown" as an exclusive track) and its follow up "Through The Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)" from September 1969. Being a studio only Box Set - the US live album "Got Live If You Want It" from 9 December 1966 on London LL 3493 (Mono) and London PS 493 (Stereo) is excluded - excepting the studio version of "I've Been Loving You Too Long" which has been stripped of its fake "Got Live" applause and added here as an 'outtake' on the "Stray Cats" double - Track 11.

MONO MUSIC:

It's genuinely bizarre after all these years to hear "Rolling Stones" (No. 1) and "No. 2" in MONO on CD officially - the sly harmonica R&B of Slim Harpo's "I'm A King Bee" and cool stuff like "What A Shame" and Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me". And you can only imagine what The Stones must have been like during a live version of "Down The Road Apiece" - that Berry Boogie ripping through the room - it sounds fabulous here - less cluttered somehow and packing real punch.  Even better is the Bluesy "Confessin' The Blues" - that echoed Jagger vocal and their own Bo Diddley knock off "Empty Heart" - tambourine shakes and drum whacks hitting your speakers like a boxer. Dig that Bluesy Instrumental vibe in "2020 South Michigan Avenue" as they pay homage to their R&B heroes at Chess Records on the "12 x 5" LP (Jagger giving some wicked Harp) .

I prefer the US version of "Out Of Our Heads" to the UK line-up. "Hitch Hike" is very clear but the Mono wallop off "The Last Time" is a revelation – yummy. The Bass is warm and clear on their cover of "That's How Strong My Love Is" and there’s sweetness to Sam Cooke's "Good Times". Even the live cut of "I'm Alright" can be heard above the screaming girls. But most impressive of all is the stark power to both "The Spider And The Fly" and "Cry To Me" – I haven't heard either sound this clear in decades ("Heart Of Stone" on the UK LP is the same). That fuzzy-wuzzy guitar on the British LP version of "Have Mercy" is also a tad clearer but "Talkin' About You" has Bass that will actually threaten the structural safety of your speaker cones. And of course the monster "Satisfaction" has amazing oomph all of a sudden - those fuzzed-up guitars giving it some neck jerk with conviction (no losing streak here).

I've had the Mono vinyl to "Between The Buttons" for decades but this CD is so damn clean - I'm double-taking on each song. Love that fuzz guitar in "Yesterday's Papers" and those layered vocals. Great wallop during that Piano and Drums beginning of "My Obsession" and the same to the forgotten "Connection" (were they ever this Pop again). Jagger's vocal during "She Smiled Sweetly" is very clear even if that organ still sounds weedy and the Bass overdone. The Acoustic/Harmonica combo that intro's "Who's Been Sleeping Here?" must surely have been their nod towards Dylan (sounds sweet too). I'm loving "Miss Amanda Jones" - huge grungy guitar and a rhythm section that's punching way above its weight all of a sudden. And dig Keith's unmistakable vocal on the Tuba-happy "Something Happened To Me Yesterday" - amazing clarity throughout.

The whole of the "Flowers" album also surprises me - I love this record in Stereo - but I'd gladly admit to be blown away by "Ruby Tuesday" in Mono - amazing clarity and so centred. I'm not so sure about "Have You Seen Your Mother..." but acoustic cuts like "Lady Jane" and "Back Street Girl" are amazing - and I'm still taken aback at how 'pretty' some of the Stones songs are. That clavinet on "Ride On, Baby" is right up there as are the drums and vocals. Hell even the slightly embarrassing "Majesties" has renewed clarity (if I can bring myself to suffer the whole album). And on it goes to the true Stones genius of "Beggars Banquet" and "Let It Bleed" where I'd agree with other reviewers - give me the Stereo versions any day of the week...

As ever with Rolling Stones 'Deluxe Editions' there's a compromise for long-suffering fans - but it would churlish and penny-pinching to call this reissue anything other than a triumph. I'm going to be opening this re-sealable plastics for years - and I like that a lot...

PS: Objects Of True Lust x 2 – the Japanese 15CD Box set Edition of "The Rolling Stones In MONO" on Universal/Polydor UICY-77710 (Barcode 4988031139295) – also released Friday, 30 September 2016 - has exclusive SHM-CDs for each title but are in '7" Single Sized Repro Artwork' with Obi Strips and all relevant inserts. They replicate the original UK and US artwork – laminate sleeves for No. 1 and No.2 with flip-back cover art, paste-back card covers for the US albums, the US issue of "Majesties" with a wavy Red Inner Sleeve, the Red Inner Sleeve instead of a Blue one for the Mono "Let It Bleed" including Poster etc. It's available for approximately £250 from many online retailers including Amazon.

The 2nd is Universal's own version of "The Rolling Stones In MONO" available only from their global websites as a very limited edition bundle - TRSMONOBUND01 comes with the 15CD Box Set AND Repro's of 9 x 7" rare singles from around the world (seven in picture sleeves):

German 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - 2,000 Light Years From Home

B - She's A Rainbow

UK 7" Single in Decca Label Bag (Export Issue)

A - Poison Ivy

B - Fortune Teller

Australian 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Fortune Teller

B - Sad Day

U.S.A 7" Single in Withdrawn Picture Sleeve

A - Street Fighting Man

B - No Expectations

French 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - We Love You

B - Dandelion

Japanese 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

B - Carol

Norwegian 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Time Is On My Side

B - Congratulations

Dutch 7" Single in Picture Sleeve

A - Empty Heart

B - Around And Around

Canadian 7" Single in Decca Label Bag

A - Not Fade Away

B - I Wanna Be Your Man