It took me a long time to appreciate the Stones. I always found they were not as immediate as the Beatles say, who were a lot more melody orientated.
This is the 2015 Abbey Road remix and remaster, which contains a bonus disc with alternate takes of 5 songs and 4 live tracks from the Roundhouse in ’71.
Kicking off with the classic Brown Sugar this is the Stones at their very best. I think the addition of Mick Taylor made them the complete article. Followed by the excellent Sway and Wild Horses, which then leads into the Stones finest hour with Can You Hear Me Knocking. This has Muscle Shoals written all over it with the extended middle section which is as groovy has it gets. The track is made by Taylor’s guitar and the sax playing of Bobby Keys and Billy Preston’s organ. I never tire of this track. Side 2 doesn’t quite live up to the sheer brilliance of Side 1 but Bitch, Sister Morphine, and Moonlight Mile come close.
Sure the Stones had their moments after this, especially with Exile, but this was it for me. This has to be the ultimate version of this as the half speed mastering, the remix, and original production by Jimmy Miller make this a joy to listen to.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
