Beggars Banquet

The Rolling Stones

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: November 1968
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Abkco
• ASIN: B000003BEM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,943 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Opening with "Sympathy for the Devil," the Stones' infamous we-are-evil poem, this all-original 1968 album began a quality streak almost unmatched in rock & roll. Mick Jagger begins writing from the working-class hero's perspective--especially on the anthem "Street Fighting Man" and "Salt of the Earth"--and Keith Richards buttresses his partner with rock-solid slide licks recently graduated from the School of Old Blues Records. "Jig-Saw Puzzle," which inexplicably never became a hit, is the only known instance of Jagger's describing the Stones' individual personalities in verse. --Steve Knopper

Amazon.com Music Reviews
Beggars Banquet is among the Stones two or three greatest albums, so it's also among the very best rock & roll albums ever made. Though known for its twin anthems of social decay, "Sympathy For The Devil" and "Street Fighting Man," it's actually the album's gritty yet beautiful acoustic country and country-blues numbers--"Dear Doctor," "Prodigal Son," "No Expectations," "Factory Girl"--that has helped Beggars stand up so effectively through the years--that and the fact that Keith Richard's lyrics here often come as close to sincerity as he's capable. When he sings "Let's drink to the hard working people," for once you almost believe him. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rediscover it!, May 24, 2000

By	John Stodder "a.k.a. Juan La Princi" (livin' just enough) - See all my reviews

I got this album with its sanitized cover for Christmas in 1968, along with the Beatles White Album, and at the time preferred it. You want your profundity, you got Sympathy for the Devil. You want your social commentary, you got Salt of the Earth. You want the Stones vote on bein' a radical, you got the awesome and unique Street Fighting Man. Time passed, and I lost the album. Picking up the CD today, what strikes me is that this is probably their richest album MUSICALLY, and indeed it is timeless. The headliner songs are still great, but what makes this album worth owning (rather than just cherrypicking the hits on best of albums) are the other cuts, which are primarily acoustic and slide blues. Cuts like Prodigal Son and Parachute Woman, and the sublime No Expectations don't get anthologized, and don't get played on the radio, but they are the very soul of the Rolling Stones, the calling card they will present when they knock on the door of St. Peter's. A rewarding musical experience.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stones Look Back and Forwards, May 1, 2000

By	Dean Martin Dent (SAN LEANDRO,CA) - See all my reviews

Though The Stones recording were well-revered at the time,Beggars Banquet is where this group shows they can reach the next level of musical progression.Coming after the ill concieved,yet quirkily brilliant psychedelic foray Their Satanic Majesties Request,they come out with BB which brings them back in touch with their blues roots as well as open new doors.Sympathy For The Devil and Street Fighting Man must of been a shock to the ears of ill prepared listeners who soaked up the non album preview single Jumping Jack Flash.But its also songs like No Expectations,Jigsaw Puzzle,Stray Cat Blues & Salt Of The Earth that fortifies this albums classic stature.Factory Girl,Prodigal Son and Parachute Woman makes you wish they'd return to this genre today instead of using their music to promote their concerts.At the time when most groups were spewing out SGT Pepper rip-offs or even falling apart(Cream and even The Beatles themselves)The Rolling Stones were ready to take the mantle,and Beggars Banquet was their first victory.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stones first masterpiece, November 14, 2000

By	FujiSaki93 (Out There) - See all my reviews

The last album recorded by the original band and it's very strong. Sympathy For The Devil is not only the best song on the album by far, but the Stones best ever song and the 2nd best song of all time. Keith's plays his best ever solo and one of the best solos ever, along with some great bass and Mick's genius lyrics. Brian's slide is all over this album, especially on the beautiful ballad No Expectations and the climatic Jig Saw Puzzle. Street Fighting Man is another classic, with great layed acoustic guitars and it's rebellious if dated lyrics. Not really any weak tracks, except for perhaps the country song Dear Doctor, which although charming, is not as strong as any of the others. Stray Cat Blues is the only electric song other than Sympathy on the album. Keith plays an nasty solo at the end and Mick snarls his way through the blatantly sexual lyrics. Factory Girl is another really good, acoustic song. The ballad Salt Of The Earth closes the album well. Keith does a real nice job on his first solo vocals in the opening verse. Overall, this album bites and hits home despite the fact that it is mostly acoustic. Beggar's marks the beginning of the Stones invicibility and also Brian Jones's last full work with the band.