Hillbilly Bop Boogie And The Honky Tonk Blues Vol.2 - Various Artists

Advantages: A diamond in every track
Disadvantages: Could use more info on the inlay

...I bought this double album some years ago to get an effective introduction to the Rolling Stones, a group who seemed deemed to be forever in the shadows of those lovable scouse chappies The Beatles. From the very start with a sublime 'Time is on my side' this is a captivating tribute to a band who for my money, can dump from a great height on their Liverpudlian 'rivals'. The blues influences are clear in the earlier tracks, changing through the tracks via psychedelia and onto pure funk rock. Each track is a gem bad-ass vocals, swirling guitars (or sitars)groovy bass and captivating skin thumping from Charlie. They're all here - Jumpin Jack Flash, Honky Tonk Women, Satisfaction, Sympathy for the Devil and the marvelously psychedelic Paint it Black. To try and put into words the affection in which I hold this album would be futile. It... Read review

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Advantages: Sweet rockin’ rhythms from the back alley’s underbelly
Disadvantages: If you never knew the bottom of a bottle of Jack, you might not feel it; post-George band doesn't quite cut it.

...-- a dark yet warm celebration of the seamy side of life, with plaintive songs about bar hopping, hard drinkin', womanizing guys who seek redemption from their loneliness by bonding under the neon lights. The musical style is hard driving rock 'n roll with a southern slide guitar twist, plenty of blues, several haunting ballads, and some New Orleans funk. Throughout, there's Hayward's syncopated, varying drum rhythm, George's ubiquitous slide guitar and lyrics couched in off-center humor, and Payne's intense honky tonk piano and synthesizer. Though their first album "Little Feat" and especially their second, "Sailin' Shoes" are wonderful in their raw energy and on-the-road exuberance ("Willin'" -- made famous by Linda Ronstadt -- , "It's So Easy to Slip", "Sailin' Shoes", "Tripe-Face Boogie", "Texas Rose Cafe", etc.), neither has... Read review

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Advantages: too many to mention
Disadvantages: none

...A great collection of songs from one of the best bands ever. It is always a source of wonderment to me why the stones never get the credit they deserve. In fact the reason is their inexplicably continuing career, why couldn't they give up in the mid or at least the late 70's. Instead they've made themselves into a laughable anachronism. This collection showcases their transition from dedicated blues traditionists to stomping honky tonk tunesmiths. The highlight of the first disc is the magnificent cover of "Time is on my side" with the magnificent Brian Jones' biting lead guitar and Mick Jagger's emotional vocal. Of particular interest is "As tears go by" on which Jagger sings like an angel, well almost. The second disc comprises most of their best known hits and starts of in storming fashion with "Jumping jack flash... Read review

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