Rolled Gold

Rolled Gold+ contains 40 of the Stones’ best songs from the 60s (plus, inexplicably two from the 70s), which is almost double Hot Rocks. All of their UK & US hits are included, along with several important album tracks. RG+ includes all 21 songs from Hot Rocks, plus 15 from More Hot Rocks, making it the definitive Stones compilation. A few weaker songs are included, but those just serve to provide a more comprehensive overview of the band’s musical development.

Rarities 1971–2003

Rarities 1971-2003 is yet another repacking of previously available Rolling Stones songs. What makes this collection slightly more interesting is that is not a greatest hits package. There are a few real gems included that are truly hard-to-find tracks and make the set worthwhile. “Anyway You Look At It” is a sparse and baroque folk song that is in the style of Aftermath-Between The Buttons era. “Fancy Man Blues” and “Wish I’d Never Met You” are meaty blues songs the type of which the band cut their teeth on. “Through The Lonely Nights” from the It’s Only Rock N Roll sessions and “Let It Rock” the b-side of “Brown Sugar” and the oldest song on the album remind you as to why the Stones were the biggest and best band in the world in the early 70’s. The dance mix of “Miss You” extends the great original disco riff over seven minutes and the version of “Tumbling Dice” from the Stripped sessions is an interesting live take on the classic. All in all, Rarities 1971-2003 will be of interest to Stones fanatics, but will only wet your appetite for a better and expanded rarities collection.

Singles 1968–1971

This is the third and final installment of box sets covering the Stones singles released between 1963 – 1971. All three box sets are a treasure for stones collectors because we get the original artwork for all the singles (and early EP’s) that the Stones released in the sixties. The cd’s actually look like old 45’s. This box set covering the years 1968 – 1971 has a cool bonus dvd with several live performances and the classic old Jumpin’ Jack Flash video. However, this series of box sets is not for casual fans. The vast majority of songs can be found on the old London Years box set which Abkco remastered in their 2002 Rolling Stones remastered series. One omission on the singles 1968 – 1971 box set is the live version of Let It Rock recorded at Leeds University in 1971 and originally released in the UK as the B side to Brown Sugar is not included. Apparently this is because Virgin owns the rights to that song. Bottom line is that all three singles box sets are awesome if you want to have cd replicants of all the original 45’s and the early EP’s with their original artwork.

Forty Licks

This is a nice low-budget collection of old (and some new) Rolling Stones classics. Nothing more said about the songs that most people interested in music knows very well. But I have some complains about the remastering, and the sound quality in general. I know that I can`t expect takes from the 60`s and early 70`s to sound like a pre 2000 publication (especially not early Stones..), but with todays remastering technologies, I still expect the sound to be less harsh and hollow than which is the case here, of course without losing the “soul and mood” in the songs.

Rewind (1971–1984)

As someone who really felt burned after purchasing FORTY LICKS and JUMP BACK, both of them being Stones compilations that feature edited versions of some of their best 70s and 80s material, the out-of-print REWIND album still provides me with plenty of, well, satisfaction. Pick it up: the full versions of “Miss You,” “Fool To Cry,” “Heartbreaker” and “Emotional Rescue” are all here, along with plenty of other gems. Only “Hang Fire” doesn’t really hold up, but the rest are near perfect examples of the greatness that is Mick, Keith, Ron, Charlie, ‘n’ Bill (and of course Mick Taylor, too).

Made in the Shade

This is a great compilation from what was arguably the best era for the band musically. The only thing that I think should have been done differently was to take out “Rip This Joint” and “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo” and put in “All Down the Line” and “Star Star”. But it’s still a great compilation. Especially if you’re, for one reason or another, unable to make your own compilations of songs.

Metamorphosis

This is a collection of pre-Sticky Fingers outtakes that didn’t make the cut on the original early London albums. Don’t get me wrong – this is a great bunch of songs, but they are probably only appreciated by people already very familiar with the early Stones. Buy Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed, and maybe Aftermath before venturing here.

Hot Rocks 1964–1971

When Hot Rocks was released in 1972 on vinyl, it was the definitive Stones compilation. However, 21 songs on two CDs seems a little skimpy, and Hot Rocks leaves out a number of hits, important album tracks, and entire portions of their musical history. Rolled Gold+, released in late 2007, provides a thorough summary of the Stones 60’s music, 40 songs on 2 discs, including all 21 songs from Hot Rocks and 15 songs from More Hot Rocks. I would recommend passing on this album (and More Hot Rocks) in favour of the much more satisfying Rolled Gold+.

Gimme Shelter

You know at beginning of The Departed as the credits roll, Gimme Shelter is played, but you know what?
It’s not on the soundtrack CD!
Buy this instead – it is definitive Stones at their best and of course features Gimme Shelter, one of their all time greats – yet underestimated!

Through the Past, Darkly

What a collection when it first came out…new age octagon shaped cover, heightened sensuality, this release truly captured the Stones at their height despite the uncertainty after Brian Jones passing, the singles of Honky Tonk Women,Jumping Jack Flash found the light of the day on this collection combined with the remaining classics on this CD makes this one to play on your IPOD back to back with High Tide And Green Grass…what great sound.