Superior UK version of the Stones '66 Classic

This is a seminal Rolling Stones document for a number of reasons, the most important being that it is the first Stones record without any cover songs. Every single track is a Jagger and Richards composition (any other contribution from other band members was generally not credited). It is also the first record that finds the Stones moving away from the blues and embracing more pop and rock elements. It also features Brian Jones in his new role as multi-instrumentalist. Mick & Keith may have taken control of the band he started away from him, but Jones was still a mighty powerful musical force within the band and improved upon every song through the use of sitars, dulcimers and other exotic instruments.

There are a number of differences between the UK and US versions as well. The US version added the single "Paint It Black" and left a number of songs off (which made their way onto the throwaway LP Flowers). The UK version features 14 songs instead of 11 and was how the Stones originally intended it.

Highlights here include the misogynistic masterpiece "Under My Thumb", the equally misogynistic "Stupid Girl" (which is not to say that the anti-female tone is what makes these two tracks great), the Motown-ish "Out of Time", the romantic ballad "Lady Jane" (sandwiched between "Under My Thumb" and "Stupid Girl" no less!), the folky "I Am Waiting" (used to great effect in the film Rushmore) and the absolutely brilliant "Mother's Little Helper". Some of the other tracks are not the Stones strongest cuts, then again, they aren't the Stones at their weakest either. At least they were attempting new things. 1966 was a year where popular music took great chances. The Stones would not be the icons they are today if they had rested on their laurels and continued to regurgitate sounds they'd already mastered two years prior. Of all the Stones pre-Beggars Banquet output, this is probably the best (though some would argue for Between the Buttons). I highly recommend it to those of you who wish to delve a bit deeper into the Stones discography

THE STONES ARE COMING INTO THEIR OWN

At last, the 14 song UK version of The Rolling Stones Aftermath. This is one of my favorite Rolling Stones albums. It was a landmark album for the band as it was the first Rolling Stones album to consist of all original Jagger/Richards material. The days of doing cover versions of other artist's songs were slowing down as the band was beginning to develop their own style and sound. With original hits over the last 15 months such as "Heart Of Stone," "The Last Time," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," and "Get Off Of My Cloud," Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were developing into a very strong songwriting team. Besides Mick and Keith coming into their own as songwriters, Brian Jones was beginning to show his versatility as a musician as he played several differernt instruments: Indian Sitar on "Mothers Little Helper," marimbas (African xylophone) on "Under My Thumb," "Out Of Time," and mountain dulcimer on "Lady Jane," "I Am Waiting," as well as harmonica "High And Dry," "Goin' Home," and guitar and keyboards. The album also contains the 11-minute blues jam "Goin' Home". The album was immediately praised as one of their best albums and has remained a fan favorite from the Brian Jones era. The album has some great pop tunes on it. Don't just judge the Rolling Stones by their radio hits, some of their studio albums have a lot of hidden gems, and this album is one of them. The sound has been greatly improved for SACD as part of ABKCO Records "Rolling Stones Remastered Series". I highly recommend this album.

HISTORICAL REFERENCE
The album peaked at #1 in the UK. The Aftermath sessions also produced the hit singles "19th Nervous Breakdown," and "Paint It Black" in the UK. Many songs on this album were also covered by other British artists at the time like The Zombies, Chris Farlowe, The Searchers, and others. The 11-minute "Goin' Home" is what inspired The Doors to make their song "The End" over 11-minutes long. The album was recorded entirely at RCA Studios in Hollywood, the same studio where Elvis Presley had once recorded, during two separate sessions, one in December 1965 and the other in March 1966. It was also the first Rolling Stones album recorded entirely in the United States, and it was also the first album released in Stereo.

What a drag it is getting old

Another great album by the Rolling Stones. This one features 14 Jagger/Richards originals. And they're all good, too, with some being better than others, of course. All Rolling Stones fans should own Aftermath, but the question is: the US version or the UK version? Well, the UK version has 14 tracks, compared to the US version's 11 tracks, so that would seem to answer the question right there. However, the US version does have the hit "Paint It, Black". But the UK version has the hit "Mother's Little Helper", so that's about an even swap. I think the final word should go to the Rolling Stones themselves, who considered the UK version to be the way they wanted the album to be released.