This is basically the UK album The Rolling Stones with Not Fade Away replacing a cover of Bo Diddley's Mona, and a silly subtitle added. Recorded at a time when none of the band had been to America and the closest they'd got to Chuck Berry or Howlin' Wolf was playing a record, this sets the template for the next few years: a mix of high-energy rock (check Keith's brilliant solo on Carol), soul covers and minor originals. But this debut is also the most blues-oriented album they'd produce until Beggar's Banquet, with nods to Jimmy Reed, Slim Harpo and Muddy Waters. By their next album they would have ditched the blues for a more contemporary R&B sound. An enormously influential LP, it still sounds great today, even though Mick wouldn't hit his stride for a few years yet.

I remember this being the first full Lp that I ever purchased in 64, up to that point it was only 45's. The record was then and still is in my opinion one of the best put together, powerful and solid R&B/Blues/Rock debuts of all time. These guys gave 120% then and are still doing it 35 years later. It is obvious of their American influences at that point. Artist's such as Chuck Berry, Rufus Thomas, Bobby Womack, Buddy Holly, Marvin Gaye etc. I strongly recommend this record as one of the top 10 of the past 35 years. I myself own the complete Stones catalog of recordings and would advise picking up as many as possible. I would start with these five and work from that point: This one (Englands's Newest Hitmakers), (The London Years Singles Box Set), (Out Of Their Heads), (Bridges To Babylon) and (Got Live If You Want It). This will give a solid overview of the Stones history and you can go from there. You can't miss with these guys.

Most of the reviews of this album (which was originally released in the UK without any title....the Band wanted people to ask for "the Rolling Stones album") sound like the reviewer is hearing the Stones for the 1st time. Come On! (which is the one song that should have been included on the album), this one features no less than *5* signature songs! The best version of Carol done until the Stones themselves topped it with the live versions in the 80s, the classic Route 66 (which they still do), Mick's 1st signature song in Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away, Willie Dixon's I Just Want To Make Love To You (years before Mick would make headlines mouthing the much less controversial Let's Spend The Night Together on the Ed Sullivan Show), and the 1st Jagger/Richards composition Tell Me (which is still hard to get out of your head). And this doesn't even get into the 2 Motown groove pieces Can I Get A Witness and Walking the Dog. Now, try to think of another band that came anywhere near this on their 1st release....not many....perhaps the Beatles, but jeesh, at least the Stones didn't do any Broadway hits!

The self-titled debut album by The Rolling Stones laid the blueprint for the next several releases of their career. They had a couple of original songs and a liberal dose of the hardcore rhythm & blues that made them the evil twins of the Beatles. The first three songs "Not Fade Away", "Route 66" & "I Just Want To Make Love To You" (later made famous by Foghat) all show the raw energy of the band. "Tell Me" is a fine original composition. "I'm A King Bee" sets up the Mick Jagger persona of the sexual lothario and "Carol" starts the trend of having a Chuck Berry cover on their first few albums. The album shows off the band's potential and although it doesn't always hit, "Can I Get A Witness" and "Walking The Dog" to name two, it is a solid debut.

I own this CD but can not give this a five star review. It is a rough draft that shows their enthusiasm but some of the covers miss the mark. Anyone who ever heard Marvin Gaye sing "Can I Get A Witness" would agree that Jagger should've left this one alone. Jagger's vocals sound strained & off key. I'm not crazy about the Rufus Thomas cover either but that being said there are some wonderful moments here. "Tell Me" is a great original that still holds up well."Carol" is a wonderful example of how well The Stones embraced Chuck Berry. The only guitarist that does Berry almost as good as the man himself is Keith Richards. I do enjoy this album for its raw vitality but it doesn't get as many spins as NOW! or OUT OF OUR HEADS but if you're a fan of The "early" Stones you'll enjoy this -misguided covers & all.