Guide to British Music of the 1960s

June 1998

CD Review

The Rolling Stones - Aftermath

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The Rolling Stones were at their peak when they recorded this fourth album, at least in my opinion. A product of the mid-1960s, it ranks alongside other classic albums of that period such as Revolver, Small Faces on Immediate, Pet Sounds and Dylan's Highway 61 revisited. What a time to be alive! The album had begun life as Could You Walk Upon the Water but when Decca vetoed the album, the tracks were discarded and Aftermath developed from it. The album is also notable in that it was the first Stones album entirely comprised of Jagger/Richards songs.

The outstanding track on the album is one of the two singles included. Paint It Black still sounds outstanding and different in 1998. Brian Jones had become interested in Moroccan music and was looking to match the Beatles' experimentation in world music. The sitar breaks on the track turn the track from being simply very good into one that sticks in the mind. However, every element of the song is strong. The sitar duels with Keith Richards' guitar while the vocals of Mick Jagger offset the rather unusual rhythms of the song.

The other single included was the dig at suburban life Under My Thumb. The arrangement of the song is unusual with its glockenspiel opening and clipped guitar. The following song Doncha Bother Me returns the band to their blues roots with Brian Jones' slide guitar and Jagger's harmonica. Think is another strong vocal performance. Incidentally, the Chris Farlowe version of this song recently appeared on the Best of Immediate compilation.

Flight 505 starts with a piano introduction with sounds evoking Satisfaction. Before it launches into the rockiness of the main verse. High and Dry sounds unusual as it appears to bridge a gap between country & western and folk music. There is extensive harmonica throughout the song, presumably from Brian Jones.

The final track, Going Home, is also unusual in that it lasted over eleven minutes. This was well before the days of progressive rock (yawn) and much of the track was improvised in the studio.

mp, May 1998

Essential Tracks:

• Paint It Black
• Under My Thumb
• Flight 505

Track Listing:

1. Paint it Black
2. Stupid Girl
3. Lady Jane
4. Under My Thumb
5. Doncha Bother Me
6. Think
7. Flight 505
8. High and Dry
9. It's Not Easy
10. I am Waiting
11. Going Home