portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Wednesday, May 31, 2017



On this day in music history: May 30, 1964 - “England’s Newest Hit Makers”, the US debut album by The Rolling Stones is released. Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, it is recorded at Regent Sound Studios in London from January 3 - February 25, 1964. Recorded in just five days worth of studio time spread over a six week period, the album features mostly R&B and blues covers the band has been performing as part of their live act. The US title of the album is amended from its original eponymous title, and includes the bands first two American singles “Not Fade Away” (#3 UK, #48 US Pop) and “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back”) (#24 US Pop). Original US pressings also include a color reproduction of the cover photo inserted inside the sleeve. Over time, these have become quite rare and are sought after collector’s items among Stones fans. The album is remastered and reissued a hybrid SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) in 2002. Out of print on vinyl since the late 80’s, it is reissued as a 180 gram LP in 2003. This vinyl release has been supplanted by the mono reissue of the original UK album, included in the box set “The Rolling Stones In Mono” released in 2016. “England’s Newest Hit Makers” peaks at number eleven on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.


Note this album doesn't really count amongst the bought when it first came out but stands as one of the most influential as my brother bought it and a bit like the earliest Dylan I heard it was as important as any and in this case not least for intruding me to the expression of black music, however much we might come to know they were 'stolen' the Chuck Berry et al and sources for Rock 'N' Roll were largely introduced to the British youth of the time by The Beatles, The Stones, Pretty Things, Van Morrison and Them and the Animals . . . . the first BRITISH Rollings Stones album released by Decca Records in the UK on 16 April 1964 is still a classic and should IMHO be in everyone's collection . The emphasis from the excellent Jeff Harris' blog is on the US versions from all these bands and this is no exception but it is oddly circuitous to have it back in full circle back in the country of origin of most of the songs. Only later would they express themselves with more original material . . . . . . 

The track listing on the UK version is:



Track listing[edit]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Route 66"Bobby Troup2:20
2."I Just Want to Make Love to You"Willie Dixon2:17
3."Honest I Do"Jimmy Reed2:09
4."Mona (I Need You Baby)"Ellas McDaniel3:33
5."Now I've Got a Witness (Like Uncle Phil and Uncle Gene)"Nanker Phelge2:29
6."Little by Little"Nanker Phelge, Phil Spector2:39
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."I'm a King Bee"James Moore2:35
8."Carol"Chuck Berry2:33
9."Tell Me (You're Coming Back)"Mick JaggerKeith Richards4:05
10."Can I Get a Witness"Brian HollandLamont DozierEddie Holland2:55
11."You Can Make It If You Try"Ted Jarrett2:01
12."Walking the Dog"Rufus Thomas3:10






























The opener of Route 66 remains a stunner of an opening track from any album ANYWHERE!



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