Between the Buttons (US Version) [Original recording remastered, Original recording reissued]

The Rolling Stones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1967
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Original recording reissued
• Label: Abkco
• ASIN: B00006AW2U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Stones began their transitional period, from reinvigorating R&B standards (on their early albums) to reinventing rock & roll (on the brilliant four-album streak beginning with Beggars Banquet), on this underrated 1967 collection. Even the songs that didn't become smash hits, such as the speed demon "Miss Amanda Jones" and the honky-tonking "She Smiled Sweetly," are more than curiosities despite experimental touches with organ, sitar, and kazoo. Mick Jagger proves, on the psychedelic "Yesterday's Papers" and "Ruby Tuesday," that he can sing a sexy ballad even if he's incapable of crooning. Of course, the opening piano-driven rocker "Let's Spend the Night Together" sounds as fresh and sexual as it ever did. --Steve Knopper

Product Description

Remastered reissue of 1967 album, suitable for standard & 'Super Audio' CD players. Digipak.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 116 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Remastered American Release - Not The Original UK Release September 8, 2002

By Richard R. Carlton

Format:Audio CD

This is the remastered February 10, 1967 - U.S. London release, which was not as the Stones intended it. To further explain:

With the release of the remastered super audio CDs (SACD) of the Stones ABCKO catalog (which includes all the early Decca/London material), there are now 2 different Between The Buttons releases available, the original UK version that was released on January 20, 1967 and the US version that was released on February 10, 1967. There are now 2 US versions, the original CD release (which is the same mix as the original vinyl release) and the remastered version, which has much better sound, although some reviewers are commenting that not all tracks have been mixed to the same quality level.

In addition, the UK and US versions include different tracks. The Stones designed the UK release, which did not include the just released single Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday. The American record execs removed Back Street Girl and Please Go Home to make room for the two single cuts. To clarify:

There are 3 Between The Buttons releases:
January 20, 1967 - U.K. Decca (remastered on SACD)
.....does not include Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday
February 10, 1967 - U.S. London (remastered on SACD)
.....does not include Back Street Girl and Please Go Home
February 10, 1967 - U.S. London (not remastered)
.....does not include Back Street Girl and Please Go Home

Back Street Girl and Please Go Home were released in the U.S. on the Flowers album on July 14, 1967. Let's Spend The Night Together and Ruby Tuesday were released on an album in the U.K. on Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) on September 12, 1969.

Note: ABCKO acquired the Stones' catalog when Allen Klein became their manager in the 70s. The resulting legal battles produced releases that the Stones opposed (they took out full page adds asking fans not to buy them), including the controversial Metamorphosis releases (which are now available on CD for the 1st time ever). But the sad fact is that the Stones lost control of their great early material. With the remastered SACD releases, we at last have some idea of what they really sounded like in the studio. I guess if we had these 40 years ago they would have ended up Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the Universe instead of just the Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the World.

The Between The Buttons tracks were recorded in 1966 as follows:

Aug 3-11, 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood
.....Who's Been Sleeping Here?
.....Miss Amanda Jones
.....Connection
.....Back Street Girl
.....All Sold Out
.....Please Go Home
.....Let's Spend The Night Together
.....Something Happened To Me Yesterday
.....Cool, Calm, Collected
.....Complicated
.....Yesterday's Papers
.....She Smiled Sweetly
.....My Obsession
Nov 9-26, 1966 at Olympic and Pye Studios in London
.....Ruby Tuesday
.....final mixes were done on all the Aug RCA Studio tracks as well

Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but not released on Between The Buttons were:
.....Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?
.....Who's Driving Your Plane (also released as Who's Driving My Plane)
Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but never released were:
.....Panama Powder Room
.....Godzi
.....Get Yourself Together
.....Something BB
Tracks recorded at the Nov Olympic/Pye sessions but not released on Between The Buttons were:
.....Dandelion
Tracks recorded at the Aug RCA sessions but never released were:
.....Trouble In Mind
.....English Summer

An interesting note is that English Summer was intended as a UK single release, but it was put on hold (and never released) when Brian, Mick, and Keith's arrests began in the summer of 67. We Love You was released instead. It was recorded with Nicky Hopkins, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney as a thank you for fan support during the trials.

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT WHAT THE ROLLING STONES INTENDED - BUY THE UK VERSION October 27, 2002

By Brian Christie

Format:Audio CD

Don't get me wrong, the music on this CD is superb (hence the 5 star rating) but when The Rolling Stones and Andrew Loog Oldham (producer) made these recordings in the latter half of 1966 and sequenced it for release, THIS is not how the envisioned it. Their authorized version was issued in England on January 20, 1967 with "Let's Spend The Night Together" & "Ruby Tuesday" as their current single SEPERATE from the album (common UK practice at the time). In North America, they were shoehorned onto BETWEEN THE BUTTONS and in their place, "Backstreet Girl" & "Please Go Home" (both, especially the former, fine songs) were knocked off and put onto the loose ends US-compiled FLOWERS album in mid-1967. Buy the UK version. It's what the band intended, and besides, you can hear "LSTNT" & "RT" on FORTY LICKS, HOT ROCKS, THROUGH THE PAST, DARKLY & THE SINGLES COLLECTION. And chances are that you'd already have one of those above mentioned hits collections if you're shopping for their proper studio albums. Hope this helps. :-)

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't get any better than this! June 14, 2006

By Cumulonimbus Harpe

Format:Audio CD

I don't care what anyone thinks, this is my all time favorite Rolling Stones. Everything about it is truly amazing. The songs are so diverse; they range from simple rockers like "Connection" and "My Obsession" to divine classics like "Let's Spend The Night Together" and "Ruby Tuesday". "Let's Spend The Night Together" is the best Stones song ever recorded. I love everything about it; from the drumming to the backing vocals. "Ruby Tuesday" also stands out as very heartfelt, especially with Brian Jones playing the recorder. "Yesterday's Papers" is another good one that really has that sixties sound to it. I especially like the guitar solo in it. "She Smiled Sweetly" is a lovely ballad and songs like these are very rare in the Stones catalog. I love "My Obsession" also; it's very simple as is "Connection", where Keith delivers some of his best back-up vocals. "Something Happened To Me Yesterday" ends the album sweetly; the song is light hearted and fun. I enjoy listening to it.