Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) [Best of, Original recording remastered, Hybrid SACD]

Possibly the most famous song the band ever recorded, "Satisfaction" (U.K. & U.S. #1) was their first #1 in the U.S. and picks up where "The Last Time" left off, combining aggressive music with angry lyrics to create a scorching piece of music that still sounds fresh today. "The Last Time", recorded three months before "Satisfaction" is the archetypal Rolling Stones song. With a signature guitar hook, lyrics that begin with a warning, and a sound that could fill the Grand Canyon (Phil Spector was present during the recording) you've got an instant classic. "As Tears Go By" originally written for Marianne Faithfull (went to #9 in the U.K.), is a beautiful acoustic ballad replete with strings that kept the hit machine humming, reaching #6 in the U.S. What else can be said about "Time Is On My Side"? the version heard here with Ian Stewart's organ intro was the bands first song to break the top 10 in the U.S. eventually landing at #6. "It's All Over Now" (U.K. #1 U.S. #26) with it's thundering opening riff and great guitar interplay between Messrs. Jones and Richards was the second classic to come out of "12 X 5". "Tell Me" (U.S. #24) (the first Jagger/Richard composition to appear on a Stones recording) is interesting, but off the mark.

The reason why we were called here in the first place, "19th Nervous Breakdown" is a cyclone of a song. Launched by a high voltage guitar riff courtesy of Keith Richards, and piloted by some stinging vocals from Mick Jagger, this song is a powder keg that sounds like it could've been recorded yesterday. "Heart Of Stone" (U.S. #19) is next and is the strongest Jagger/Richards composition to that point. This is a song full of danger and angst that easily could have been sung by Johnny Cash. Ok try to stay seated..., I'm not crazy about "Get Off My Cloud" (U.K. & U.S. #1). The more I hear this song the less I like it, and I think I've figured out why. We're treated to an amazing opening; Joe Frazier couldn't have hit skins any better than Charlie Watts does here, Mick Jagger shouts, Keith Richards launches into a great riff; good opening stanza, great chorus, and we're off to the races...or are we? In runners' parlance the song then hits the wall, the lyrics are little goofy, and blasphemy Richards and Brian Jones' guitars are going in opposite directions! Having said all of this the song did deliver the desired result; it became their 2nd #1 single in the U.S. With the opening acoustic riff, and the maracas kicking in a moment later "Not Fade Away" (U.K. #21, U.S. didn't chart) is a rollicking number that does justice to the Buddy Holly classic. "Good Times, Bad Times" (B-side "It's All Over Now") is a semi-acoustic slow blues that simmers throughout, and is aided and abetted by some of Brian Jones's great harp playing. "Play With Fire" (B-side "The Last Time") finds the band in rare Edwardian form. This largely acoustic song has a haunting quality to it, and features Phil Spector on guitar and Jack Nitzsche on guitar and harpsichord.

Notes: Surprisingly enough, even though we tend to think that the Stones were rife with hits during this period, this album contains one song that didn't chart in the U.S. and two B-sides. This cd represents another repackaging opportunity for ABKCO in that they could include the U.K. singles, all the U.K. B-sides, and the remaining U.S. B-sides.

Recording notes: "19th Nervous Breakdown" recorded 12/3-8/65 RCA Studios, Hollywood. For recording notes on the remaining songs see the reviews of the albums from which they came.