Product Description:
The Rolling Stones: Bill Wyman (bass guitar); Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones , Charlie Watts .
Personnel: Keith Richards (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards); Brian Jones (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Mick Jagger (vocals, harmonica, percussion); Ian Stewart (piano, organ); Charlie Watts (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Ian Stewart .
Liner Note Authors: Andrew Loog Oldham; Nigel Williamson.
Recording information: Chess Studios, Chicago, IL (05/1963-03/1965); Empire Theatre, Liverpool, Lancashire, England (05/1963-03/1965); Granada Theatre, Greenford, Middlesex, England (05/1963-03/1965); Kingsway Sound Studios, London, England (05/1963-03/1965); Olympic Studios, London, England (05/1963-03/1965); Palace Theatre, Manchester, Lancashire, England (05/1963-03/1965); RCA Studios, Hollywood, CA (05/1963-03/1965); Regent Sound Studios, London, England (05/1963-03/1965).
Photographers: David Farrell ; David Redfern.
Arranger: The Rolling Stones.
A spectacularly appointed box set, SINGLES 1963-1965 is perhaps the ultimate collector's item for the Rolling Stones fan. It presents, in CD form, perfect replicas of each of the band's 45's from the era, packaged with the original picture sleeves, record labels, and even vinyl-style grooves printed on the surface of the CDs. Add in a passel of fantastic period photos and stellar liner notes, and one might almost forget to listen to the music. Almost.
It's fascinating to listen to the Stones' development over the first couple of years, from the tentative stabs at Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters on their very first single, to the fire-breathing, ruckus-raising sounds they achieved just a few months down the line. Not only do we get to hear them master their beloved forms of blues, soul, and '50s rock, but we witness the birth of their songwriting talents as well. Here the group shifts from an R&B cover band to a creative force capable of turning out not only the churning rocker "The Last Time," but also the ominous, folklike "Play with Fire."
Entertainment Reviews:
Mojo (Publisher) - pp.108-10
4 stars out of 5 - "Given that, since 1974 or thereabouts, the Stones' persona has been pretty much fixed, these singles are a fascinating testament to the accelerated lives of young men."
