Beggars Banquet
~ Release group by The Rolling Stones
Album
Relationships
| included in: | 1964–1969 Greatest Albums in the Sixties The Rolling Stones Collection Mondadori The Rolling Stones in Mono The Rolling Stones: Original Master Recordings (MFSL box set) |
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| part of: | Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2003 edition (number: 57) (order: 57) Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2012 edition (number: 58) (order: 58) The Guardian 100 Best Albums Ever (number: 81) (order: 81) 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die (2005 edition) (number: 107) (order: 168) Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: 2020 edition (number: 185) (order: 185) |
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| Discogs: | https://www.discogs.com/master/30220 [info] |
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| reviews: | https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jpzf [info] |
| other databases: | https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_rolling_stones/beggars_banquet/ [info] |
| Allmusic: | https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000195493 [info] |
| Wikidata: | Q339065 [info] |
CritiqueBrainz Reviews
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The album that set the template for The Rolling Stones as we know them today, Beggars Banquet was an exercise in getting back to basics after the redundant excesses of their previous album, 1967's psychedelic Their Satanic Majesties Request.
Working for the first time with American producer Jimmy Miller, the Stones are here at their sharpest. Keith Richards reclaimed responsibility for the group after a troubled year, recording several basic tracks at home on cassette; hence the gloriously wonky backings on several cuts.
However, Beggars Banquet sometimes struggles to meet the standard set by Sympathy for the Devil, its opening track. From its shimmeringly effective piano, bass and conga introduction, its marriage of highly sensual music and provocative lyrics has to be one of the greatest in rock.
The lyrics still have the power to chill and many legends have arisen concerning its recording, such as pluralising the name Kennedy when news of Bobby Kennedy's death came through on 6th June during the sessions and the way the song's trademark "woo woos" came from nowhere, led by Anita Pallenberg from the control booth. With this track, the Stones' demonic reputation was sealed.
There is much to enjoy. Street Fighting Man conflated Jagger's imaginary hard-done-by blues man momentarily confused and out of step with the political climate of 1968. The self-referencing and mocking Jig-Saw Puzzle is a treat; Factory Girl is folky and pastoral; Salt of the Earth, made poignant by its performance in the Rock'n'Roll Circus film, closes the album.
Preceded by the single Jumping Jack Flash, Beggars Banquet established the Stones as 'The Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band in the World'.
