The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet
On this episode we tackle the Rolling Stones 1968 LP Beggars Banquet.
1968 was a tumultuous year for much of the world and a transitional time for the Rolling Stones. Their founder and original leader, Brian Jones, was increasingly absent due to his drug use, and their long-time manager/producer Andrew Loog Oldham had grown disinterested in the band due to his own drug and alcohol use, leaving them to produce their next album on their own. The result, 1967's Their Satanic Majesties Request, was widely considered a misstep for the band and the Stones were looking for a fresh start. They found it with producer Jimmy Miller, who helped the Stones get back to their roots, and found ways to inspire the band to create what most believe to be the first album of their classic period, showcasing acoustic blues and hard-hitting social commentary. While not without its controversies, Beggars Banquet does contain some of the most compelling music this classic band has ever made.
No recommendation on the episode.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
The Rolling Stones circa 1964 in all their hounds-toothed finery.
(Pictured L to R): Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Keith Richards.
Prior to forming the Rollin’ Stones (as they they were originally known), Richards, Jagger, and Jones used to frequent the "Rhythm and Blues Night" at the Ealing Jazz Club in London to watch and play with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated. Here’s a young Mick Jagger singing lead with Blues incorporated. That’s future Cream bassits Jack Bruce playing standup bass over his right shoulder.
Andrew Loog Oldham was the Rolling Stones manager and producer all Rolling Stones recordings from 1963 until late 1967.
The Stones had their first UK top 20 hit (peaking at number 12) with their version of the Beatles tune “I Wanna Be Your Man.” Here they are performing it on the popular UK variety show The Arthur Haynes Show in 1964. Brian Jones plays slide guitar on the song and sings backup, something he rarely did.
A talented Multi-instrumentalist, Brian Jones often brought experimentation to the Stones music, incorporating sounds that were uncommon in pop music at the time.
1967 was a rough year for the Stones. In February of that year, Jagger and Richards were arrested on drug charges after the police raided a party at Richards’ home. Both stood trial and were sentenced, but the sentences were eventually overturned due to public outrage. Brian Jones was also arrested on drug charges in May of that year.
Producer Jimmy Miller (standing) met Jagger at a session he was producing fro the band Traffic. Impressed by what he heard and saw, Jagger asked Miller to produce the Beggar Banquet.
“Sympathy for the Devil” was originally written by Jagger to be a much slower, folky song.
But it was transformed into a much more lively version with Richards suggestion to up the tempo and producers Jimmy Miller’s addition of the backing “whoo whoos.”
The front and back covers of Beggars Banquet feature graffiti on a men’s bathroom wall. The graffiti cleverly incorporated the titles of the songs.
Here’s “Salt of the Earth” performed on the 1968 television special The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Richards and Jagger sing live along with the the backing track from the studio version on Beggars Banquet.
