Best Of 2022

You can’t have enough lists (or free hugs) so here’s our very own Year-End-Best-Of-2022 list.
I’m no fan of ratings of any kind – and it changes every day of course – so each category has a winner and everything else sorted alphabetically. The winner isn’t necessarily »The Best«, but certainly the most played here. 

C O M P I L A T I O N S

||||||||||||| Various Species Of Musicians Gathered Together With A Tune |||||||||||||
Jack Kerouac • 100 Years Of Beatitude
+ Chrome Universal • A Survey Of Modern Pedal Steel (Imaginational Anthems Vol. 11)
Climb Aboard My Roundabout • The British Toytown Pop Sound 1967-1974
Dark Exotica • As Dug by Lux & Ivy
Lux & Ivy Say Flip Your Top
Heroes & Villains • The Sound Of Los Angeles 1965-1968
Ocean Child • Songs Of Yoko Ono
Ost-Kraut Teil 1 & 2 • Progressives aus den DDR-Archiven 1970-1982
This Was Your Future • Dave Brock presents Space Rock (And Other Psychedelics) 1978-1998
The Virginia & West Virginia Box • 1950s & 1960s Oddball Labels 

N E W M U S I C

||||||||||||| The Sunday Painter Greets The Lemonade Dawn |||||||||||||
Nits • Neon
+ Bjørk • Fossora
Brian Eno • Foreverandevernomore
Nina Hagen • Unity
Half Man Half Biscuit • The Voltarol Years
Kula Shaker • 1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love And Free Hugs
Proclaimers • Dentures Out
Marcel Riesco • Patiently
The Routes • The Twang Machine
Leah Weller • Freedom

You see I don’t pay much attention to so-called »career-best« albums that are a »return to form« or a »promising debut«. Take The Nits – here’s a band 48 years into their career, still with the original core line-up, and a new album full of melodic tunes, chamber pop with weird soundscapes and minimalistic lyrics that tell whole lives in six lines. And like almost any of the 10 albums in this category it says »We really don’t care what you expect from us at this time«.
This is music that entertains you (in one way or another), makes you curious to play it again, and sometimes even puts a smile on your face – whether it’s a newcomer like Leah Weller and Marcel Riesco, or veterans like The Proclaimers.
Speaking of the P-twins – they’re probably as uncool to the Afterworders as Bono and Putin combined, but »Dentures Out« brims with ringing melodies, sarcastic lyrics, and even some steel guitar (and a little help from the Manics’ camp). At the end of this short sharp set I always want to shake their hands and give them a hug.
Which you certainly wouldn’t try with Nina Hagen, who miraculously returns on the label which brought us Neu! and Holger Czukay. Miss Hagen is still in a bad mood, and bonkers as usual, covering religion, Dylan, feminism and politics, sometimes all in the same song as in weird mash-up »Atomwaffensperrvertrag« (say that again!). On some songs you’d swear the old Nina Hagen Band of 1979 is back.
And what about those other weirdos Kula Shaker? Well, what can you say against an »Arthur’s Nut Gone Teenage Opera« – again, they clearly don’t give a damn what you expect. This is royally barmy, like the Dukes Of Stratosphear giggling into Toytown.
Much giggling was also the first reaction when I stumbled on The Routes’ album of Kraftwerk covers. But even after listening to it almost daily for months it’s still surprising (and lots of fun!) to hear how perfect these tunes are when played by twangy surf guitars, down to the last counter-melody in the background.

||||||||||||| Shadow Letters On Dark Veiled Buildings |||||||||||||
Porcupine Tree • Closure/Continuation
+ Tim Bowness • Butterfly Mind
The Cult • Under The Midnight Sun
Rosalie Cunningham • Two Piece Puzzle
Kreator • Hate über alles
Magma • Kartehl
Motorpsycho • Ancient Astronauts
O.R.K. • Screamnasium
Devin Townsend • Lightwork
Voivod • Synchro-Anarchy

The return of The Porcupine Tree came in typical Steven Wilson fashion – (nearly) everything was in place, but the sum total was different: this album was as much about quirky drum rhythms and dark moody soundscapes as it was about the proverbial »trains, guitars and death«. One thing that was missing was the melodic »Revolver« bass of Colin Edwin, who delivered his own »Screamnasium«, an album of doom ambient Prog/Metal.
Most entries in this category could be labelled as »exactly how we expected, but better«. Best example is Kreator, who’s new album I saw filed in a shop as »Melodic Death Metal«: proper Wacken stuff with crashing drums and angry screaming guitars. And strangely catchy melodies.
Probably even radio-friendly stuff came from the erratic Devin Townsend (following straight after an ambient album earlier in the year) and Rosalie Cunningham, who could be a MOJO favourite if only she would dress a bit brighter.
Steven Wilson buddy Tim Bowness continued his exploration of what happens when you take 80s/90s David Sylvian’s sound and expand it to prog and psychedelic (instead of free jazz).
Another entry in the »un-cool on the Afterword« genre are The Cult who clearly don’t bother anymore with what people think or expect of them. Their album re-arranges all the ingredients you associate with the brand name, and sounds surprisingly adventurous and fresh.
The mighty Voivod not only brought us a box set this year (collecting all of their early Noise Records stuff) but a new album as well: imagine Van Der Graaf Generator as a Norwegian Jazz Metal band and you’re halfway there.
Busiest band of the year must be Magma – their social media news seemed to plug a new gig every two or three days throughout the year. And their album was, well: a new Magma album, what else! Some of it could even be played on the radio – in France at least…

||||||||||||| For Quieter Moments In Violet Sunshine |||||||||||||
Hans Abrahamsen | Lapland Chamber Orchestra • Schnee
+ A.R. & Machines • Another Green Journey (Live At Elbphilharmonie Hamburg)
Robert Fripp • Music For Quiet Moments
Nils Frahm • Music For Animals
Gas • Der lange Marsch
Sean Shibe • Lost & Found
Pretty Lightning • Dust Moves
Michael Rother & Vittoria Maccabruni • As Long As The Light
Rich Ruth • I Survived, It’s Over
Tedeschi Trucks Band • I Am The Moon (Crescent)

When you’re sitting on the roof watching the night sky above the city you can’t always listen to »Sailor’s Tale«, so a new album from A.R. & Machines comes in handy. Here’s Achim Reichel, born on the Reeperbahn, support act for The Beatles, and a household name in Germany for his rock and Schlager hits, and he’s reviving his ambient Krautrock project from 1970 with a series of concerts at Hamburg’s new Opera House. And it’s just great – chugging, echo-y guitar licks over a groovy beat.
More stately rhythms come from Pretty Lightning – the album title is the cue: »Dust Moves« is Ry Cooder reimagined as cosmic desert exotica for a Morricone soundtrack.
Another fitting description is on the Tedeschi Trucks platter: this is how Duane Allman would have sounded if he’d been friends with Mike Love and into meditation. With a bottle of Tequila on the side.
Sometimes though it’s a bit more complicated. I had overlooked the Rich Ruth album for a while (surely just another Third Man album of quirky »rock«…?), but it’s brilliant in a truly weird way. And still has lots to discover after constant plays during the last few weeks. Just imagine Eno & Lanois’ »Apollo« soundtrack being remixed and rejigged by Lee Scratch Perry or Adrian Sherwood – it’s that crazy, and calmly relaxing at the same time.
Another newcomer on the list is the amazing Sean Shibe. His second album »Lost & Found« is somehow filed under »Classical – New Music« in Berlin shops – but it’s him on solo electric guitar (a Fender Mexican Stratocaster) playing music by Chick Corea, Hildegard von Binger and Moondog, all with a clear, ringing tone much like John Martyn, but there’s also bits of fuzz noise and other Fripperies. Highly recommended for a Sunday morning (Guitar porn alert: it takes half a page in the booklet to list his effects pedals!)
»Schnee« on the other hand is the real classical stuff, a minimalist composition about snow, performed by an orchestra from Lapland, no less. But ten years ago this could have been released on David Sylvian’s SamadhiSound label: it has that glimmering night sky mood of »Gone To Earth«, with piano and cello notes falling like snowflakes and gently adding up to frosty melodies.

||||||||||||| Time Is Walking On Velvet Highways |||||||||||||
Tuba Skinny • Magnolia Stroll
+ Gaye Su Aksol • Anadolu Eideri
Jake Blount • The New Faith
Calexico • El Mirador
Congotronics International • Where’s The One?
Souad Massi • Sequana
Leyla McCalla • The Thermometer
Meridian Brothers • Meridian Brothers & Grupo Renacimiento
Oumou Sangaré • Timbuktu
Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin • Ali

Still, the question remains: what IS the best Klezmer vocal on a Death Metal soundtrack?

R E I S S U E S

||||||||||||| Yankee Sails On Divine Exposures |||||||||||||
Robert Fripp • Exposures (25 CD/3 DVD/4 BR)
+ The Beach Boys • Sail On Sailor 1972 (6 CD)
The Beatles • Revolver (4 CD)
David Bowie • A Divine Symmetry (4 CD/BR)
The Flaming Lips • Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (5 CD/BR)
Van Der Graaf Generator • Interference Patterns (13 CD/DVD)
Wilco • Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (8 CD)
Neil Young • Harvest (3 CD/2 DVD)

||||||||||||| Madman Sulks In The Trend Asylum |||||||||||||
Richard Gibbs • No Use To Grieve (LP)
+ The Associates • Sulk (3 CD/LP)
The Cure • Wish (3 CD)
Elton John • Madman Across The Water (3 CD/BR)
Joni Mitchell • The Asylum Years (4 CD)
The Trend • The Trend Is In! (LP)
Walter Wegmüller • Tarot (2 CD/4 LP)
Frank Sinatra • Watertown (CD)

||||||||||||| Forgotten Odds & Courtly Dances |||||||||||||
Lovey’s Band • Encore Lovey! The Historic Trinidad String Band Recordings 1912 & 1914 (3 CD)
+ Blondie • Against The Odds 1974-1982 (8 CDs)
Celtic Frost • Danse Macabre: Discography 1984-1987 (5 CD)
Miles Davis • Bootleg Series Vol. 7: That’s What Happened 1982-1985 (4 CD)
King Crimson At 50 • In The Court Of The Crimson King (4 CD/2 DVD/2 BR)
Les Rallizes Dénudés • 77 Live (2 CD)
Voivod • Forgotten In Space: The Noise Records Collection (5 CD/DVD)

Fatima’s Favourite Albums

1) Phillip Boa & The Voodooclub • She
2) Frank Zappa • Joe’s Garage
3) Manu Chao • Clandestino
4) The Nits • Ting
5) Horslips • Happy To Meet, Sorry To Part
6) Van Dyke Parks • Tokyo Rose
7) The Notwist • Neon Golden
8) Dukes Of Stratosphear • Psonic Psunspot
9) Philip Glass • Songs From Liquid Days
10) Robert Gordon with Link Wray
11) Joni Mitchell • Hejira
12) Steely Dan • Countdown To Ecstasy
13) That’s What I Call Sweet Music: A Robert Crumb Songbook
14) Wonderland • Wonderland Band No. 1
15) Bob Dylan • Time Out Of Mind
16) No-Man • Together We’re Stranger
17) Phish • Undermind
18) Simon Ho • If
19) A.R. & Machines • Echo
20) Loud, Fast, And Out Of Control (4-CD compilation of 50s rock’n’roll: original jukebox mixes)
21) Element Of Crime • Romantik
22) Neil Young & Crazy Horse • Ragged Glory
23) Santana • Caravanserai
24) David Sylvian • Gone To Earth
25) Jam & Spoon • Tripomatic Fairytales
26) Kante • Zweilicht
27) Game Theory • Lolita Nation
28) Eden Ahbez • Eden’s Island
29) Celtic Frost • Into The Pandemonium
30) Elvis Costello • North
31) They Might Be Giants • Venue Songs
32) Gas • Königsforst
33) Robbie Basho • The Falconer’s Arm
34) Jane Siberry • The Walking
35) Dwight Yoakam • Tomorrow’s Sound Today
36) Amadou & Mariam • Dimanche à Bamako
37) Nina Hagen Band
38) Little Village
39) Kraftwerk • Die Mensch-Maschine
40) Gastr Del Sol • Camofleur
41) The Beach Boys • Surf’s Up
42) Rio Reiser • Rio I.
43) Stay Awake • Interpretations Of Music From Vintage Disney Films
44) Yo La Tengo • I Can Hear Your Heart Beating As One
45) Donovan • A Gift From A Flower To A Garden
46) Sam Philips • Cruel Inventions
47) Feufollet • En Couleur
48) Rachid Taha • Made In Medina
49) Brian Eno • Apollo (Soundtrack Version)
50) Lata Mangeshkar • An Era In An Evening
51) Flaming Lips • Zaireeka
52) R.E.M. • Automatic For The People
53) The Church • Sometime Anywhere
54) Frank Sinatra • Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
55) XTC • Skylarking
56) Hildegard Knef • Knef
57) The Cruel Sea • The Honeymoon Is Over
58) Samira Said • Youm Wara Youm
59) Talk Talk • Spirit Of Eden
60) The Lords • Ulleogamaxbe
61) Spirit • Spirit Of ‘76
62) The Cramps • A Date With Elvis
63) Colourblind James & The Death Valley Boys • Strange Sounds From The Basement
64) Red Hot And Cool: Stolen Moments (Various interpretations of Impulse Records tracks)
65) 10cc • Sheet Music
66) Blumfeld • Jenseits von Jedem
67) Holger Czukay • Movies
68) Cat Stevens • Foreigner
69) Brigitte Fontaine • Kekeland
70) John Martyn • One World
71) Terence Trent d’Arby • Neither Fish Nor Flesh
72) Yes • Keys To Ascension
73) Khaled • Ya Rayi
74) Grobschnitt • Illegal Live (Essen 1981 Complete Concert)
75) David Bowie • Low
76) The Fall • The Frenz Experiment
77) Patra • Queen Of The Pack
78) Youssou N’Dour • Egypt
79) The Residents • Eskimo
80) Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity • Streetnoise
81) Cassandra Wilson • Blue Light Till Dawn
82) Can • Tago Mago
83) Shiny Gnomes • Colliding
84) Tool • 10,000 Days
85) The Leather Nun • International Heroes
86) Siouxsie & The Banshees • Tinderbox
87) Ute Lemper • Punishing Kiss
88) This Mortal Coil: Blood
89) Autechre • Tri Repetae
90) Extreme • Pornograffitti
91) John Prine • Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings
92) Red House Painters • Red House Painters 2
93) The Roches
94) Neu • Neu ‘75
95) King Crimson • Islands
96) Richie Havens • Richard P. Havens 1983
97) Housemartins • London 0 Hull 4
98) Robert Mitchum • Calypso… Is Like So!
99) Prefab Speout • Jordan: The Comeback
100) Tocotronic • Pure Vernunft darf niemals siegen

 

The Legendary NME Tapes

In the 1980 the New Musical Express issued 38 cassette tapes for readers, among them several compilations of previously unreleased or otherwise rare tracks, featuring everyone from James Blood Ulmer to The Style Council, Ian Dury to Tom Waits, or Scritti Politti to Madness.

The first few of these tapes came with little booklets that you had to assemble yourself from the NME’s pages, and it’s these »Manuals« that a friend of ours has remastered, updated and re-compiled into CD-sized booklets where you can find all the missing information about these tracks.

Here are the booklets for the first tape, »NME Rough Trade C-81« and the following »NME 001 Dancin’ Master«, both from 1981.

booklet-nme-000-manualDownload

booklet-nme-001-manualDownload

Brilliant Adventure (The Missing Tracks)

The concept of the series of David Bowie boxes that began with »Five Years {1969-1973}« seems to be to collect all the (at the time) officially released recordings of a certain era – as a result there are no outtakes such as the bonustracks from the Ryko reissues. Of course completists and collectors have always complained about omissions, and with the latest set, »Brilliant Adventure {1992-2001}«, there’s plenty of stuff that (someway or another) had every right to be included.

Here’s what:

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 1 {1992-1993} 79:46

1 Real Cool World (Cool Dub Thing #1) 7:29

2 Black Tie White Noise (Extended Remix) 8:15

3 Nite Flights (Moodswings Back To Basic Remix) 10:01

4 Real Cool World (Soundtrack Version) 5:28

5 Jump They Say (Hard Hands Mix) 5:40

6 Real Cool World (12″ Club Mix) 5:30

7 Miracle Goodnight (12″ 2 Chord Philly Mix) 6:26

8 Jump They Say (Alternate Mix) 4:05

9 Real Cool World (Cool Dub Overture) 9:12

10 Black Tie White Noise (Urban Mix) 4:05

11 Real Cool World (Cool Dub Thing #2) 6:56

12 Black Tie White Noise (Waddel’s Mix) 4:12

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 2 {1993} 79:39

1 Black Tie White Noise (Digi Funky’s Lush Mix) 5:44

2 Jump They Say (Club Hart Remix) 5:40

3 Black Tie White Noise (Al B. Sure! Mix) 4:03

4 Miracle Goodnight (Blunted 2 Mix) 8:20

5 Black Tie White Noise (Club Mix) 7:33

6 Jump They Say (JAE-E Dub) 4:48

7 Miracle Goodnight (Dance Dub) 7:50

8 You’ve Been Around (Long Dangers 12″ Remix) 7:41

9 Jump They Say [Brother In Rhythm 12″ Remix] 8:26

10 Black Tie White Noise (Here Come Da Jazz) 5:34

11 Pallas Athena (Don’t Praying Remix 2) 7:24

12 Black Tie White Noise (Supa Pump Mix) 6:36

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 3 {1993-1994} 75:54

1 Miracle Goodnight (Maserati Blunted Dub) 7:44

2 Jump They Say (Jae-E Remix) 5:32

3 Pallas Athena (Don’t Stop Praying Mix 1) 5:37

4 Jump They Say (Rock Mix) 4:31

5 Black Tie White Noise (3rd Floor US Radio Mix) 3:45

6 Miracle Goodnight (Make Believe Mix) 4:30

7 Jump They Say (Leftfield 12” Vocal) 7:43

8 Pallas Athena (Gone Midnight Mix) 4:22

9 Jump They Say (Dub Oddity) 6:16

10 You’ve Been Around (with Reeves Gabrels) 2:55

11 Black Tie White Noise (Trance Mix) 7:15

12 Jump They Say (Brothers In Rhythm Instrumental) 6:25

13 Colour Me (with Mick Ronson) 4:58

14 Like A Rolling Stone (with Mick Ronson) 4:21

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 4 {1995-1996} 78:28

1 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Alternative Mix) 5:21 

2 The King Of Stamford Hill (with Reeves Gabrels) 4:56 

3 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Rubber Mix) 7:48 

4 Telling Lies (Adam F 12“ Mix) 8:14 

5 Hallo Spaceboy (12″ Pet Shop Boys Remix) 6:44 

6 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Bowie Mix) 4:58 

7 Telling Lies (Feelgood Mix) 5:09 

8 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Simple Text Mix) 6:40 

9 Hallo Spaceboy (Double Click Mix) 7:49 

10 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Filthy Mix) 5:53 

11 Telling Lies (Paradox Mix) 5:10 

12 The Hearts Filthy Lesson (Good Karma Mix) 5:00 

13 Hallo Spaceboy (Instrumental) 7:46 

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 5 {1996-1997} 77:43

1 Hallo Spaceboy (Lost In Space Mix) 6:34 

2 Little Wonder (Ambient Junior Mix) 9:58 

3 Dead Man Walking (This One’s Not Dead Yet Mix) 6:27 

4 Little Wonder (Junior Vasquez Club Mix) 8:18 

5 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Nine Inch Nails V2 Mix) 5:48 

6 Dead Man Walking (House Mix) 6:02 

7 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Nine Inch Nails V3 Mix) 6:06 

8 Dead Man Walking (Moby Mix 1) 7:34 

9 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Photek V5 Mix) 5:36 

10 Little Wonder (4/4 Junior Mix) 8:17 

11 I’m Deranged (Jungle Mix) 7:03 

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 6 {1997} 74:45

1 Dead Man Walking (Moby Mix 2) 5:27 

2 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Nine Inch Nails V4 Mix) 5:21 

3 Little Wonder (Juniors Club Instrumental) 8:16 

4 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Nine Inch Nails V6 Mix) 11:14 

5 Telling Lies (A Guy Called Gerald Mix) 5:15 

6 Little Wonder (Danny Saber Dance Mix) 5:34 

7 Dead Man Walking (Live Acoustic) 4:14 

8 I’m Afraid Of Americans (Nine Inch Nails V1 Mix) 5:31 

9 V-2 Schneider (TAO Jones Index) 7:16 

10 Pallas Athena (TAO Jones Index) 8:20 

11 Little Wonder (Club Dub Junior Mix) 8:17 

Re:call 5 Missing Adventures 7 {1998-1999} 74:41

1 Truth / The Dream Within (with Goldie) 14:54 

2 Without You I’m Nothing (UNKLE Mix) (with Placebo) 5:08 

3 Thursday’s Child (Rock Mix) 4:29 

4 Without You I’m Nothing (Single Mix) (with Placebo) 4:17 

5 Seven (Beck Mix 1) 3:46 

6 Nature Boy 3:26 

7 Without You I’m Nothing (Brothers In Rhythm Club Mix) (with Placebo) 10:52 

8 Seven (Beck Mix 2) 5:14 

9 Without You I’m Nothing (The Flexirol Mix) (with Placebo) 9:27 

10 Nature Boy (with Massive Attack) 4:09 

Bonustracks:

11 Johnny Downloader (Americans Early Version) 5:04

12 I Have Not Been To Oxford Town (Alternative Mix) 3:55

Playing right now on the kitchen stereo…

Rolling Stones on Decca | 3 |

The way it should be (but you can’t always get what you want, obviously) | PREVIOUS

1. The Last Time (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, January 17, 1965)
Single A-side • February 1965
2. Play With Fire (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, January 17, 1965)
Single B-side • February 1965
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Single A-side • June 1965 (US) • August 1965 (UK)
4. The Spider And The Fly (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Single B-side • June 1965 • US

5. One More Try (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
released on US-album »Out Of Our Heads« • July 1965

Album »Out Of Our Heads« • September 1965 • UK
6. She Said Yeah (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
7. Mercy Mercy (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
8. Hitch Hike (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
9. That’s How Strong My Love Is (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
10. Good Times (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
11. Gotta Get Away (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
12. Talkin’ ’bout You (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
13. Cry To Me (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
14. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin’ (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
15. Heart Of Stone (recorded RCA Studios,Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
16. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, May 10, 1965)
released on single »Satisfaction« (uncensored) and UK album »Out Of Our Heads« (edited)
17. I’m Free (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)

18. Get Off Of My Cloud (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Single A-side • September 1965 (UK) • October 1965 (US)
19. The Singer Not The Song (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Single B-side • October 1965 • US

20. Look What You’ve Done (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
Released on US-album »December’s Children« • December 1965
21. Blue Turns To Grey (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, September 6/7, 1965)
Released on US-album »December’s Children« • December 1965
22. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965)
Released on album »Got Live If You Want It!« with overdubbed applause • Undubbed version on 4-LP Box »The Best Of The Rest« • 1983 • Germany
23. My Girl (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, May 12/13, 1965, strings overdubbed October 26, 1965)
released on US-album »Flowers« • July 1967

What makes a Rolling Stones album a real classic Stones album? Certainly not a poorly-recorded live track, added at the end of side one. So the US version of »Out Of Our Heads« (and its companion, »December’s Children«) doesn’t count – although they’re more representative of the band at this point in time than the official British version of their third album.

By 1965 the Rolling Stones were recording whenever there was time and a studio available, and their management put out these tracks – apparently at random – on numerous singles, EPs, albums, compilations and foreign versions: a discography so confusing that there are still tracks that haven’t been compiled on reissues to this day. And who decided to release »Satisfaction« on a single in America (in May 1965, the same month it was recorded!), and wait till August before it finally appeared on a 45 in the UK and Europe?

So, let’s start with two singles: 
1. The Last Time
A few weeks after the second album (mainly comprised of cover versions) comes a single written by Jagger & Richards. Jangling guitars and that sloppy Stones beat enhance a song that’s clearly worlds away from the pop tunes of the day. Keith plays a prototype of THE Rock Guitar Riff throughout while Brian Jones adds lead guitar, and this song is the first in a string of classic Stones singles.

2. Play With Fire
An acoustic ballad for the B-side. Shades of Baroque Pop from Jack Nitzsche on harpsichord (and Phil Spector on acoustic guitar!), and the lyrics point to the regal poetry of »Aftermath«.

3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Sounds more like a 1966 Dylan track than 1965 beat music. Fuzz guitar lick, and Charlie supplies a stomping rhythm, accented by Bill’s pumping bass. The »wide stereo« mix on some continental compilations clearly shows what a fabulous arrangement this is – listen to the acoustic guitar fills, and a piano comes in during the second half. Most of all, Mick shouts and half-sings the lyrics in an early demonstration of rock vocal mannerisms to come.

4. The Spider And The Fly
A relaxed Nanker/Phelge song on the US flip side. Starts like a studio jam, and ends with energetic harmonica.

5. One More Try
Exclusive to the US Version of the album, here the band hurries through another Chess-style original, prominent harp ‘n’ all..

»Out Of Our Heads« was the first Stones LP recorded entirely in America, and it clearly shows how they have progressed from the previous albums. But as they didn’t include singles on their long players in the UK it results in the weird impression that the band was still very much a covers band: the three accompanying singles, entirely self-written and with carefully constructed arrangements, tell a completely different story.

6. She Said Yeah
Is this the beginning of Garage Rock? Scorching guitars, shouty backing vocals, all recorded like a demo. Certainly not the known way to start an album after several number 1 hits.

7. Mercy Mercy
The vastly improved Stones machine tackles a Don Covay song. Again, it all sounds rather loose and rocking’.

8. Hitch Hike
A return to the sound of the first two albums – a fitting environment for this Marvin Gaye song. Irritating little guitar solo in the middle.

9. That’s How Strong My Love Is
Mick in full soul man mode – and surprisingly low in the mix. Again, the chaotic recording gives it an unexpected authenticity.

10. Good Times
This is more poppy, with Bill in inspiring mood.

11. Gotta Get Away
The Stones kinda playing it safe, doing one of their bad boys/anti-love songs.

12. Talkin’ ’bout You
A bluesy Chuck Berry song, totally re-arranged, with a piercing guitar solo over Bill’s fat bass line.

13. Cry To Me
Mick tries a real, soulful vocal, and yet again, the somewhat shambling arrangement and sloppy recording gives it a certain charm.

14. Oh Baby (We Got A Good Thing Goin’)
Stones-by-numbers. By now they can’t put a foot wrong – they’re a really competent R&B dance band. No backing vocals this time, thank God.

15. Heart Of Stone
From the first few bars on this clearly is in a different league. Beautifully played and recorded, and a fabulous anti-pop song it is, too.

16. The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man
The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at a kind of mid-Atlantic, Kinksian walking blues. About the rock business, no less. British flip to »Satisfaction«, and quite rightly so..

17. I’m Free
The tambourine is back! The song mixes Dylan attitude with a semi-Townshend message – and shows the Stones sound of 1965 at its best (Recorded two weeks before the album was released!).

And finally – another single:

18. Get Off Of My Cloud
Listen to Charlie’s hard-as-nails drumming, from the intro all the way through this fantastic song. The guitar rifferama is toned down a bit, with all the action in the vocals and the incessant drum shots. Another of these curious »wide stereo« mixes on a French EP sounds completely different with the main guitar riff pushed way up high into the foreground, building up an unnerving and monotonous atmosphere.

19. The Singer Not The Song
Another pop B-side, heavy on acoustic guitars – Brian gets to shine in the middle. Mick and Keith sing in close harmony!

20. Look What You’ve Done
With all their different compilations and albums the Stones still had a backlog of unused tracks. This is an outtake from the Chess studio sessions for the »Five By Five« EP the previous year.

21. Blue Turns To Grey
One from the Immediate Pop songbook. The Stones could do a decent impression of a Kinks track if they wanted.

22. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
Another cover version from the 1965 Hollywood sessions. Somewhat uneventful – maybe this is why some bright spark put crowd noise over the recording and buried the track in the »Got Live If You Want It!« album.

23. My Girl
Some effort was put into this well-arranged performance. They even overdubbed a string arrangement in October 1965. But maybe the time for cover versions had ended by now as it remained unreleased for a while.

24. Off The Hook
The B-side of the »Little Red Rooster« single, and a clear counterpart: The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at Merseybeat. Hmm, but why?

25. Suzie Q
Oh dear, those nagging handclaps from the first album make a return on a track that sounds like two bands playing at the same time. Everything is just busy and competitive, and they all get into each other’s way.

plus:
26. As Time Goes By
A demo recording, just Big Jim Sullivan and Mick, from one of those Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra recording sessions. Mick sings the first draft of what would soon become »As Tears Go By«, and it’s fascinating to hear how a few small changes can make all the difference.

Rolling Stones on Decca | 2 |

The way it should be (but you can’t always get what you want, obviously) | PREVIOUS | NEXT

1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (First Version) (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
Album »The Rolling Stones NOW!« • February 1965 • US
2. Tell Me Baby (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
4-LP box-set »The Best Of The Rest« • 1983 • Germany
3. It’s All Over Now (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10, 1964)
Single A-side • June 1964 • UK
4. Good Times Bad Times (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 2, 1964)
Single B-side • June 1964 • UK

5. Surprise Surprise (recorded Greenford Studios, London, July 21-23, 1964)
released on compilation »Fourteen« • May 1965 • UK

EP »Five By Five« • November 1964 • UK
6. If You Need Me (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)
7. Empty Heart (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, Juner 11, 1964)
8. 2120 South Michigan Avenue (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964).
9. Confessin’ The Blues (recorded Chess Studios,Chicago, June 11, 1964)
10. Around And Around (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)

11. Time Is On My Side (Single Version) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 11, 1964)
Single A-side • September 1964 • US
12. Congratulations (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Single B-side • September 1964 • UK

13. Little Red Rooster (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 1964)
Single A-side • November 1964 • UK

Album »The Rolling Stones No. 2« • January 1965 • UK
14. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Album Version) (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
15. Down Home Girl (recorded RCA Studios, Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
16. You Can’t Catch Me (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29 1964)
17. Time Is On My Side (Album Version) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, November 8, 1964)
18. What A Shame) (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, November 8, 1964)
19. Grown Up Wrong (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29, 1964)
Album »12×5« • October 1964 • US
20. Down The Road Apiece (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10/11, 1964)
21. Under The Boardwalk (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Album »12×5« • October 1964 • US
22. I Can’t Be Satisfied (recorded Chess Studios, Chicago, June 10, 1964)
23. Pain In My Heart (recorded RCA Studios,Hollywood, November 2, 1964)
24. Off The Hook (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 2, 1964)
Single B-side »Little Red Rooster« • November 1964 • UK
25. Suzie Q (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, September 28/29, 1964)

26. As Time Goes By (recorded Regent Sound Studios, London, February 25, 1964)
unreleased

When The Rolling Stones’ second album was released in the UK in January 1965, their image as the bad boys of Beat Music was well and truly established. Manager Andrew Loog Oldham’s liner notes played on this with Clockwork Orange-style menace: »See that blind man, knock him on the head, steal his wallet… if you put in the boot, good.« In David Bailey’s cover photo they look stylish and a bit threatening at the same time. But those Ivy League suits also hint at the fact that they weren’t yet the guitar band of later years – the Stones at this point in time are a pretty competent blues and soul band. (Yes, they could have been The Style Council…)

And again with a wealth of material, we start with the bonus tracks. 
1. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
The shorter alternate take that was used on the »Rolling Stones Now!« album in the States. Great rhythm with lots of tambourine, and some surprisingly modern-sounding guitar fills. Drags on a bit of course, even at three minutes length.

2. Tell Me Baby
Outtake from the June 1964 Chess Studio session. Harmonica solo from Mick over a steady walking beat. Released by mistake on a German box set.

3. It’s All Over Now
With this single The Stones and their sound truly arrive. Snarling vocals, a guitar solo that tries a bit too hard, and THAT rhythm section: Keef, Bill and Charlie.

4. Good Times, Bad Times
Back to Regent Sound in London, and another Mick & Keith ballad, featuring acoustic guitars (Brian on 12-string!) and harmonica. At this point most of the official »Jagger/Richards« compositions were mid-tempo pop tunes.

5. Surprise Surprise
This stomps along nicely. Already released in the US on »The Rolling Stones Now!« album, it was virtually thrown away in Britain on a Decca beat music compilation in mid-1965.

Another nice EP, all tracks recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago, with Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry watching the recording session.

6. If You Need Me
The Stones in a soulful mood, swelling organ and a spoken middle section proving they were a convincing Mod-Soul combo.

7. Empty Heart
Charlie and Bill in full flight on another Nanker/Phelge jam. Sounds as if they’re making it up as they go along, tentative and sloppy backing vocals and all…

8. 2120 South Michigan Avenue
Another studio jam – but this here is really great: everyone knows what they’re doing, and they all seem to be having a lot of fun. Watch out for the complete take on the West-German »Around And Around« compilation which has a guitar solo from Muddy Waters himself (that was cut from all other released versions).

9. Confessin’ The Blues
Bill’s the driving force this time on another cover version. They’re getting really good on this kind of thing.

10. Around And Around
Previous Chuck Berry covers from the Stones often sounded a bit lame, but this really rocks. Featuring Keith doing his Chuck thing better than the man himself.

Time indeed for another single:

11. Time Is On My Side
The first version with Ian Stewart’s organ intro. They still relayed on other people’s songs for A-sides, and obviously loved this song, but this version sounds a little bit rushed; plenty of tambourine recalls the sound of the first album, curiously.

12. Congratulations
Mid-tempo Jagger/Richards song, again mainly acoustic. They are turning into pretty accomplished pop tunesmiths by now, and Chris Farlowe and Cliff Richard would soon take care of this aspect of their work.

The next single – a »real« blues toon!

13. Little Red Rooster
A return to the Blues – and a great showcase for Brian and his slide guitar. A winner, of course.

And then we have the album: »The Rolling Stones No. 2«

14. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
The album version, all five minutes of it. This sounds very dry, and all the better for it (mainly because they got rid of the rattling tambourine…). Drags on a bit (even more…) but Mick comes up with a new vocal idea every few bars and they all chug along merrily.

15. Down Home Girl
The Stones are now confident enough to even use their »bad boys« shtick on cover versions – and here it works. Great lead bass from Bill, and Mick’s on good form, too!

16. You Can’t Catch Me
Chuck Berry again: while the band is rocking relentlessly, Mick seems to be struggling with the lyrics – it all sounds as if he’s reading from a script.

17. Time Is On My Side
Recorded five months after the single version, they’ve worked on the arrangement, and all the better for it. Added solo guitar and proper backing vocals really improve the song, and the wide stereo mix features Charlie’s drums! Has a proper ending, and that’s always a good sign.

18. What A Shame
Mick and Keith finally write »a Stones song«. This rocks and rolls in a soon-to-be-familiar way. The secret highlight of the album. (Very unnecessary piano tinkling in the background, unfortunately – which would be a recurring nuisance in the Stones’ recording history for the next 60 years.)

19. Grown Up Wrong
…whereas they’re again paying tribute to the American R&B songbook here. Though it outstays its welcome after the first verse, I’m afraid.

20. Down The Road Apiece
Here they are in bar band-mode with a rather pedestrian cover version of yet another »road« song. Gets more energetic and rocking towards the end with powerful guitar playing.

21. Under The Boardwalk
A nice arrangement, and proper singing from Mick. But those backing vocals: the Rolling Stones are certainly not The Four Seasons in the vocal harmony department!. Brian’s fine 12-string solo restores some dignity.

22. I Can’t Be Satisfied
Again, a very fine arrangement, fabulously recorded (listen to Charlie, and Bill’s inventive bass!), resulting in probably their best Chess cover.

23. Pain In My Heart
A soulful cover – nothing special, but Mick really shines on this one.

24. Off The Hook
The B-side of the »Little Red Rooster« single, and a clear counterpart: The Nanker/Phelge boys try their hand at Merseybeat. Hmm, but why?

25. Suzie Q
Oh dear, those nagging handclaps from the first album make a return on a track that sounds like two bands playing at the same time. Everything is just busy and competitive, and they all get into each other’s way.

plus:
26. As Time Goes By
A demo recording, just Big Jim Sullivan and Mick, from one of those Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra recording sessions. Mick sings the first draft of what would soon become »As Tears Go By«, and it’s fascinating to hear how a few small changes can make all the difference.

Books Of The Year 2020

 

Peter Guralnick | Looking To Get Lost
Adventures In Music And Writing
Little, Brown • 458 pages

Greil Marcus | Mystery Train
Images Of America In Rock’n’Roll Music
The Folio Society • 516 pages

Two books about music, and writing about music. While they share some aspects – both focus on the classic blues, soul and rock’n’roll, from Robert Johnson to Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, from Bill Monroe on to Randy Newman and Solomon Burke – they are written from different viewpoints, and they are both fascinating and inspiring reads. In the words of The Lovin’ Spoonful, »like telling a stranger about rock’n’roll – do you believe in magic?«

»Mystery Train« is yet another updated edition of Greil Marcus’ 1975 collection of his music writing. This edition comes with added bookmaking skills from The Folio Society, comes in a sturdy slipcase and has added pictures, including some fabulous shots from the Library Of Congress. Marcus’ essays about artists like Harmonica Frank, The Band, Elvis Presley and Sly Stone add unusual perspectives and curious facts to the by now well-known stories, but he also never forgets the music, and the impact it still has. And while his insistence that this all is truly (and only) American gets a bit boring in the course of this book, it was obviously an important statement in the mid-seventies after Nixon and Watergate. Most interesting though is the fact that these articles were actually written and published a good decade before Rock History as we know it nowadays was invented – this was long before reunion tours, Hall Of Fame, box sets and autobiographies from ex-wives and ex-drummers. Hell, Elvis was still alive, and The Band were considering their next album!

And in case you feel the need to listen to the music (which you surely will…) (well, I did.) there’s a whooping 300 pages of notes and discographical annotations in very small print that’ll keep you busy for months. In these additional chapters the career of someone like Randy Newman gets updated to the present, with discussions of his movie soundtracks, his later albums, and his place in the current entertainment world. In other chapters the complete body of work (from, say, Elvis or The Band) gets dissected, with comparisons and recommendations of reissues and classic albums.

Peter Guralnick has collected essays from more or less 50 years of music writing for his new book, editing and updating original articles and thereby creating a narrative of his own life as an enthusiastic listener.

He always starts with his personal experience – how he got to hear a certain album first, and then trying to find out what it was that made a lifelong impression, or how he got to meet an artist, why he was excited or disappointed by the meeting. And boy! does he have stories to tell: the chapters on Jerry Lee Lewis and Colonel Parker are especially amazing. In the end you believe him when he categorically states that ol’ Jerry Lee is a musical genius to rival Bach or Mozart, and that The Colonel was a funny and decent businessman who only wanted the best for his artists. And who’d have thought that poor old Dick Curless (you know, the »Tombstone Every Mile« hitmaker with the eye-patch) had such an interesting life. Or that Chuck Berry could recite classic English poetry at length. This collection also has (only) 50 pages of notes and guides to the essential recordings, films and books about the artists discussed.

Both books should find a home near your record collection for repeated reading and browsing. Marcus and Guralnick obviously believe in the magic of rock’n’roll, and that really comes through in their enthusiastic prose.

Gabriele Tergit
Effingers
Büchergilde Gutenberg • 904 Seiten

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