Psychedelic Stones
Defining the period might be the subject of some debate, but I would offer that it begins with the release of Between The Buttons (February, 1967) and ends with the release of the Jumpin' Jack Flash single (May, 1968). Beggars Banquet was released in November, 1968. The difference in styles, influences, and musical product is incredible for the band during this time not forgetting the upheaval created by the Redlands raid.
The CD's:
"REQUESTANDREQUIRES" Capricorn Records CR-24E
The title of this CD continues to play on the wording of the British passport that originally inspired the Stones title for Their Satanic Majesties Request (TSMR). Twenty four takes of the Citadel plus an early instrumental take of In Another Land. An interesting evolution of one of the more obscure songs from the album.
"Time Trip Volume 4" Gold Standard SIAE.: RS-23-94-07
A few points of interest on the psychedelic era songs:
- Jumpin' Jack Flash: A chorus only version with the finished backing track. Alternate versions of Jumpin' Jack Flash can also be heard on the "painted faces" promo video, which is the same version found on the classic Beautiful Delilah LP (TMQ: RS 507 A/B). The song first surfaced in primal instrumental form during the '68 Surrey Sessions, and two takes can be heard on the limited edition (200) "1968 Surrey Rehearsals" LP (68-RSSR-ONE/TWO).
- Child of the Moon: Backing vocals only
- We Love You (Take 4): An "electric" instrumental alternate in stereo. Absolutely Mind Blowing!
- Dandelion: (a.k.a. Sometimes I Feel Blue) Rough demo version. Keith on vocal!
"Thee Satanic Sessions" Diablo Music (CDDI 002)
Only Cosmic Christmas fits the psychedelic theme. Other tracks fit into the time frame but are from sessions that are more closely related to Beggars Banquet.
"Satanic Sessions" 4CD Box Set Volume One, Midnight Beat
Review of CD3
Review of CD4
The definitive set of authentic session outtakes from this period.
"Satanic Sessions" 4CD Box Set Volume Two, Midnight Beat
The LP's:
"The Beatles and The Rolling Stones: Sing This All Together" Smilin' Ears 2LP (77002-A/B/C/D)
TSMR has distinctive stereo separation that is used to take full advantage of this style of music. A few unsavory types have taken the single channel stereo from the standard release and split it into mono to produce different sounding tracks. This one has plenty of examples:
- Sing This All Together: Missing right channel vocals and the call and response effect of the chorus.
- The Lantern: Missing right channel electric guitar and electric effect after acoustic guitar lines. Makes the song more acoustic sounding.
- In Another Land #1: Missing right channel Jagger back-up vocal on the chorus. Keith's left channel backup vocal on the chorus is clearly heard towards the end of the song.
- In Another Land #2: Missing left channel wind blowing sequence and prominent Wyman vocal mix.
- She's a Rainbow: Missing right channel "ooh la la's".
- Citadel: Missing left channel vocal leaving only the instrumental backing track. There is no channel "bleed over" on the vocal.
- Gomper I: Beginning vocal section only, missing right channel bongos and bass lines
- Gomper II: Instrumental section of the song, missing left channel strings (presumably sitar) and leaving only right channel bongos and flute.
- 2000 Light Years From Home: Missing left channel vocal leaving an "instrumental demo". Again no bleed over on the vocal.
"When Two Legends Collide" Tuna (215-A/B).
A single LP copy of excerpts from the above.
"When Two Legends Collide" Picture Disk (215-A/B)
Clearly pressed from the same plates if not the same manufacturer. This has the Jagger and "friends" stage photo pictured in "Rolling Stones: An unauthorized biography in words, photographs, and music" David Dalton, 1972, Page 158.
"Miscellaneous" Speed-Records (3001-A/B)
Another source for The End's Shades of Orange and Loving Sacred Loving. These tracks are also on "Schoolboy Blues: The Unreleased Tracks Vol. 1" Living Legend (LLR-CD-052), the "Catfish" (Act 2) gold CD, and "Ultra Rare Trax" Vol. 3 and Vol. 5 CD's.
7" Vinyl:
The "Cosmic Christmas" single (TLB 2000-M) Mono/Stereo
Sixteen seconds of the infamous trailer on green vinyl. Play it backwards and see what happens!
"Unreleased Material 1967" EP Glimmer Twin Rekords (URRND-784 EP)
- 2000 Light Years From Home: A child's voice singing opens this one with boat sounds, wind blowing, and seagull sound effects. This is in mono, and the introduction segues from the sound bites to the opening musical lines of the track in a mixed and not spliced fashion, so this was done with some effort which gives it some credibility.
- The Lantern: A mono track missing right channel electric guitar...very suspicious
- In Another Land: This is unusual. There is a second melody going on in the song. It sounds similar to having the radio and TV going at the same time. It's not dissonant, but there's a noticeable undercurrent of sound. The track is in stereo, and the secondary melody is mixed into both channels.
"A Merry Christmas" EP (URRNP-951/952)
- She's A Rainbow (Acid Version): A carnival calliope introduction with gun shooting effects and airplane sound effects in the left channel during the instrumental breaks in the song.
- Citadel: A mono instrumental...again suspect
- Sing This All Together: Announcers, crowd noises, cannons firing intro. This is in mono and missing left channel horns.
Several of the EP tracks have an "acetate sound" to them that could be legitimate experiments with different sorts of sound bites similar to what was used on the intro. of the TSMR version of She's A Rainbow.
A transition period. TSMR isn't my favorite album, but it does have it's moments.