Customer Reviews

Sticky Fingers (O-Card)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers*****

Exit Brian Jones, enter Mick Taylor. With the death of Brian Jones The Rolling Stones recruted virtuoso guitarist Mick Taylor, who was previously known for his work with the great John mayall. Let It Bleed was the first introduction to Mick Taylor, though he only played on one song. Sticky Fingers was Mick Taylors album. Of all the albums to feature the guitarist he had the most input during this one. Sticky Fingers is one of the four 'classic albums' in The Rolling Stones cannon. Many fans concider this to be the very best Rolling Stones album of all tuime, and for good reason too, It's amazing. For me it comes down to this one and Exile On Main Street for the title of best album. One day Ill say this one then the next I'll say Exile On Main Street, well one thing is for sur they are both amazing. During the recording of Sticky Fingers the band was at its all time creative peak in my opinion. The lyrics are the all time best that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards ever wrote. The musicianship, especially the guitar playing is amazing here, Charlie Watts is as always the heart and soul of the band, while Bill Wymans bass is less prominant and only comes through when really needed showing his versitility as a great player. The songs are amazing many of which went on to become radio staples, classics, and really rock and roll standards.

'Brown Sugar' which starts of the album set a new standard for the way rock and roll could and should be played. Being concidered by many to be one of the all time greatest songs of all time as well as the very best Rolling Stones song ever, 'Brown Sugar' starts the albm off just right. Next is 'Sway' with more of a laid back country feel to the music and vocals. The song comes across almost gosphel in places like it is straight out of the south. Also the lyrics give that feeling with lyrics of an evil force keeping you in its sway. Clearly a song written under the influence of the great late delta blues singer and guitarist Robert Johnson. And not to mention the amazing guitar solo played during the song by Mick Taylor. Easily the mans all time best guitar solo. Many will disagree but for me this is it. 'Wild Horses is the first of two songs on the album that were inspired by Marian Faithfull's drug overdose. The chorus is "Wild Hourses couldnt drag me away" which was the first thing she said after she came out of her coma.It's a slow acoustic song with amazing vocals and slide guitar. The song has since become one of the bands biggest and best known songs. Next Is the amazing somba rocker 'Cant You hear Me Knocking' which is an all time favorite of mine and contains Keith Richards' all time best guitar riff, few would dissagree. It starts out as a bluesy rocker before it eases it's way into almost a samba, at the end. Truly one of the best songs the band ever wrote, and it also contains some of Mick Jaggers best ever vocals. "You Gotta Move' is a slow bluesy song the band remade which is a traditional blues number. While I do like the was the band performs it, I still think the best version of the song was done by Aerosmith on their album Honkin' On Bobo, which is a fantastic album you should also check out. Moving On. Next is the awesome rocker 'Bitch' which is yet another classic Rolling Stones song that still gets regular air play on the radio.Great use of horns and the guitar isnt bad either. The lyrics are an all time favorite. The song reminds me of something The Temptations could have recorded in the late 1960's or the early 1970's.The song is fantastic and really the main reason hwy I bought the album. Next Is the beautifuly sentamental 'Ive Got The Blues' which features some nice vocal work from Jagger and is a really pretty song to sit and relax with while you listen. People either think the next song is the weakest song on the album or one of the bands all time best. I think 'Sister Morphine' is one of the very best things the band ever wrote. It too was inspired by the Faithfulls drug overdose, as easy to spy in the lyrics, which she helped to write. Probably my second favorite song on the album now that I think about it. 'Dead Flowers' is a ocuntry rocker that the boys pull of nicely. The lyrics are cool, and Micks fake country vocals do well. Slash of Guns 'N Roses once said that Mick Taylor's slide guitar solo is his all time favorite, so thats saying a lot. As the album comes to a close it does so wonderfully with the song 'Moonlight Mile.' A song that always reminds me of the Doors' song 'Moonlight Drive' and I dont know why because the only similar thing is the title. The song is slow and beautiful and eases the album out perfectly.

Originaly the album featured a zipper on the cover which was designed by the late great Andy Worhol. This is an album that should be heard by all fans of any form of rock and roll, blues and yes even country. With Sticky Fingers The Rolling Stones showed the world that there was on one like them and that there never would be. With two lgendary albums already under their belt the The Rolling Stones set in stone their place in music history as one of the most eciting bands ever. Recomended to all!!

If you already have "Exile on Main St." you'll know what you are in for with this album. Hard, edgy rock n' roll, slow, swampy grinds, and gritty blues tunes.

There aren't any real up-tempo numbers on "Sticky Fingers", everything is mid-tempo or sloer, and it fits the overall mood of the record like a glove (or some other tired kliché). This is one of the Stones' bluesiest records, not only because of genuine blues tunes like Fred McDowell's acoustic slide guitar-workout "You've Got to Move" (titled "You Gotta Move" here)...the majority of these ten songs are built around blues riffs, blues scales and a big bluesy vibe, even if they aren't arranged like traditional blues in the A-A-B-format.

The opener, "Brown Sugar" is probably the best known, but it is far from the only highlight here, and it is perhaps not even the best song off "Sticky Fingers". It gets stiff competition from "Sway", "Dead Flowers", "Bitch" and one or two others, songs which may seem less immediately appealing, less accessible, if you will, but they will grow on you if you give them the chance. The slow blues-rock tune "Sway" is a greasy, grinding powerhouse, clanging R&B piano and ragged guitar riffs. The country-ish "Wild Horses", the slow, morose "Sister Morphine", the blues ballad "I Got the Blues", and the grandiose "Moonlight Mile" are all mainly acoustic numbers, whereas "Bitch" and "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" are both tough, riff-driven hard rockers. "Dead Flowers" is a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll, if you will, but a dark and evil country song, with stinging Telecaster fills and a raw harmony vocal by Keith Richards.

But it all blends exceedingly well together, blues, country, ballads and hard rock, making "Sticky Fingers" one of the Stones' finest offerings, pieced together from outtakes and laboriuous studio sessions as it is. To me, it is not quite the equal of the phenomenal "Exile on Main St.", but what is, really? It is a must-have for Stones fans all the same, one of the pillars of 70s rock n' roll, and one of the pillars on which the Stones' magnificent reputation rests.

Childhood living is easy to do

The things you wanted I bought them for you

Graceless lady you know who I am

You know I can't let you slide through my hands

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain

Now you decided to show me the same

No sweeping exits or offstage lines

Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind

Wild horses couldn't drag me away

Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away

Sticky Fingers is one of the best Rolling Stones albums out there; and the band rocks on this album! The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is well done for this edition of "The Rolling Stones USA Collection Series." Although the Stones recorded these hits quite a few years ago they still sound great today.

The album begins with the politically incorrect but awesome (anyway), "Brown Sugar." "Brown Sugar" features the band at their best; Mick Jagger sings this with passion and they make you want to jump up and dance to this practically wherever you are! The guitar work is strong and those drums are just right. Overall the arrangement for "Brown Sugar" is superb--and flawless. Great! After "Brown Sugar" comes "Sway;" this is not as hard rockin' as "Brown Sugar" but the slightly country (yes, country) flavor to the ballad enhances it a great deal. "Sway" features The Rolling Stones doing an excellent job on a slower paced number; and they never hit a superfluous note.

"Wild Horses" is a stunning ballad that always moves me with its beauty; the raw emotion they deal with in this tune really hits home. "Wild Horses" is a number that any Stones fan is going to love and it showcases just how good they could be when performing a tender love song. However, "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" reverts back to a more rockin' tune and it fits in very well in this song set.

"B**ch" rocks hard and I love every minute of it! The Rolling Stones rock and add just a very, very slight touch of country in the melody to spice things up. I think you'll like "B**ch" is you haven't heard it before.

"Sister Morphine" is a memorable number with that The Rolling Stones deliver with loads of style and their timing on "Sister Morphine" couldn't be better. Awesome! Listen also for "Dead Flowers;" this rocks with a distinct country flavor that works very well for this tune. The album ends strong with The Rolling Stones performing "Moonlight Mile." "Moonlight Mile" is a passionate ballad that leaves you wanting more--and more is what you're going to get if you get some other fine CDs by this timeless band.

Overall, Sticky Fingers is probably one of the strongest albums ever put out by The Rolling Stones. Of course, Rolling Stones newcomers will want this for their collections; the more serious fan will already have this album. This CD is also good for people who like classic rock.

The theme of this somber 1971 album is drugs and the aural administration thereof takes place mostly via slow, soulful songs. The three up-tempo exceptions are the raucous Brown Sugar, the malevolent Bitch and the extended jamming excursion Can't You Hear Me Knocking, all prime slabs of powerful rock `n roll.

The down-tempo tracks all have an air of melancholia about them, from the world-weary Wild Horses to the unoriginally titled but moving I Got the Blues. The notorious Sister Morphine, also performed by Marianne Faithfull on albums like Blazing Away and Greatest Hits, is a decadent and chilling highlight.

The country-tinged Dead Flowers is another masterpiece with evocative imagery and addictive melody line and reminds me somewhat of Far Away Eyes on their Some Girls (1978) album. Sticky Fingers concludes with the yearning Moonlight Mile, a final unforgettable song. The blend of butt-kicking rock and brooding ballads ensure a perfect Stones album.

The band were on a roll at this time coming out with two great albums near the end of the 60s Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed, unfortunatly then the band had too face the horrific events that happened that signaled the end of the 60s, altamont. But than the band came back in 1971 with Sticky Fingers an album containing rockers like, Brown Sugar, Bitch, Cant You Hear Me Knocking, and more. Classic album and was one of there last really great albums they came out with.

One of the greatest classic Rolling Stones albums of all times. I was there. I wish people would stop auditioning for Rolling Stone - they are NOT going to hire you ! All I wanted to do is see what if any difference there is in this newly jacketed item; it was news to me they retired the other. Not a mention. Please add usefull, factual or unknown tips like Keith Richards was kidnapped by Ray Davies and Jimmy Hendrix is in the background. Now that's useful.

Otherwise shut up!

The Stones are cool. I'm praying you knew that going in, but if you didn't, this could make you realize that. In my opinion, this is the best album the Rolling Stones ever recorded - and, like its follow-up Exile on Main Street, a flawless collection of songs. The ballads really lead the way here, with my favorite song on the album being the heartbreaking country-rock classic Wild Horses - anybody who believes Mick Jagger doesn't have soul will probably change their mind instantly as soon as they hear this. It's one of the fifty or so best songs ever recorded. So is Moonlight Mile, another ballad, this one an orchestrated epic augmented by Mick Taylor's melodic, wonderful acoustic guitar playing and That Other Rolling Stone Named Mick's thoughtful, poetic lyrics - I know this sounds like pure hyperbole here, but it really is a drama about death and redemption with a not-so-subtle drug reference tossed in for extra measure. Again, if you don't think Mick's got soul, listen to this track. The third out-and-out ballad is Sister Morphine, and while it isn't quite as good as Wild Horses or Moonlight Mile, that's all because those two songs are Wild Horses and Moonlight Mile, you know? A chilling tale of overdose coming from the Rolling Stones at arguably the height of their indulgences (though to be fair, they were ALWAYS indulgent when it came to drugs) propelled by Charlie Watts' drumming and guest star Ry Cooder's slide guitar. By the way, I'd like to give Ry a shout-out for his stellar playing on Love in Vain, too. Don't know a thing about his solo work, but now I'll have to check it out.

With all the ballads here, you may think the Stones have forgotten to rock. Oh no. Not at all. Rocking is not a problem for the group - the typical R&B influenced, typically sleazy, totally-not-PC Brown Sugar features an immortal riff and Bobby Keyes' best sax playing in the history of ever (okay, maybe Can't You Hear Me Knocking has that sax playing, but we'll get to that). The actually not sexist B*tch (if anything, that one's about booze and drugs) continues in that direction, and the horn section's playing is fantastic. So is Mick Taylor's. Mick Taylor rules, you know that? You can also catch one of his better guitar solos on Can't You Hear Me Knocking's Latin-jazz second half. Man, that part kicks butt! To think it only came about because someone left the tape running while Bobby Keyes was soloing after the song's hard-rock part ended (at least that's what I've heard). Well, it's one of their greatest moments, and if you need just one reason to buy this album (hell, you've got ten), buy it for the sax/guitar duel at the end. THAT is classic stuff. Anyway, let's get back to Taylor. Listen to Sway, which for some reason is not a radio favorite, if you want to hear that guy at the height of his powers. The guitar solos on that song... whoa.

Now there are three other songs, and each one is pretty different from the last. Dead Flowers one of the several undervalued gems you can find on this wonderful album, another one of their best country-rockers. Once again, it portrays drug addiction in a rather unflattering light (getting a little disillusioned with the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, are we Mick?) which I, a big supporter of the straight-edge life, have nothing but support for. More importantly, it's a great song with a catchy chorus and great piano fills and a fun pedal steel solo. I'm not a huge country fan, but I'm all for it when the Stones play country! Then there's the weird acoustic blues You Gotta Move (the album's lone cover), which I think is a pretty good song myself - especially the awesome "Ah-ha-ha-ha... ah-ha-ha-ha..." chant thingy near the end. A lot of people put the song down, and it does take some getting used to, and while I've heard a better, older version (not sure if it's Gary Davis' original or not, but it sounded good), this is quite a nice song in itself, and a good transition from side one to side two. I Got the Blues is another one people like to laugh at, but listen to Mick testify during the last ten or twenty seconds and tell me if that isn't pure soul. Oh, and the organ solo (played by none other than Mr. Billy Preston! R.I.P., man!) is amazing.

So yeah, there you go. Sticky Fingers is one of rock's all-time best albums - plenty of pure classics were put out in 1971, but this tops all of 'em. To the Stones, I say keep on rollin'! They haven't entered a truly stagnant period yet (though the '80s were pretty close), which is the sign of an immortal band.

Seems like the same (great), but albeit same albums with a different cover.