Perhaps the best "true" Rolling Stones. "You Can't Catch Me" and "Down The Road Apiece" are on fire and cut the master's (Chuck Berry) original versions. "Down Home Girl", "What A Shame", and "Mona (I Need You Baby)" are THE essence of the original Rolling Stones, and show Brian Jone's remarkable talent and leadership; "Little Red Rooster" is arguably the best Stone's blues ever recorded. "Heart Of Stone" and "Pain In My Heart" are the soul(ful) songs of the set. The only disappointment is "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love", a Wilson Pickett tune: the original (and GREAT!) version is on the vinyl and cassete sets, but someone (unknowingly or uncaring) put a second rate version on the CD. If you can find this album on vinyl or cassette, the oringinal opening song is worth the price. Play it LOUD!

Probably Brian's best work with the Stones as a Blues player;the last album to present themselves as such before the mega hits."Little Red Rooster" is one of the highlites for it's threatening slide and even powerful vocal.The Chuck Berry covers are always some of the Stones best tracks,always fun.( with attitude! )A lost gem,'Heart of stone" seems to have been an effort the band was setting fire to.The lead guitar on the break,is some of the best found on any Stones work.It appears that Brian and Keith trade off lead parts although it may well have been just Brian.(playing a white Vox "tear drop" guitar.) For anyone who used to like the Stones when they were really the "Rolling Stones" ....this album is a must.Brian Jones at his guitar playing best,maybe the Stones best (and last) Blues albums ever.

More than any other Stones release, Now! showcases the original blues band that Brian was always so proud of. The way I heard the story, Brain used to play tracks from this era to show how good the band was before Mick and Keith took over. These included Down The Road Apiece, Little Red Rooster, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, Bright Lights Big City, Down In The Bottom, & Road Runner (the 1st 3 of which are on Now!, the others were never released - except on bootlegs). Personally, I think Down The Road Apiece is the absolute best song they recorded during this period. The guitar work is so good that one reviewer here on Amazon even suggested it was Chuck Berry.....nope....it was Brian.....Chuck was never that good.

To understand the impact Mick had on the British scene, all you have to do is listen to Everybody Needs Somebody To Love. His command is impressive and this is really the first time you get to glimpse the superstar he was to become.

You Can't Catch Me is a great tribute to Berry, personally I've always liked Oh Baby (although many people, including the Stones themselves considered it a throwaway). Off The Hook is a decent early Mick & Keith song (although not good enough for Mick to keep putting it on all those greatest hits albums to generate songwriting royalities). Down Home Girl has resonated through my thoughts for over 30 years now....it just won't leave me alone, but neither will Down The Road Apiece, so to me these two are the reason you keep a good copy of Now! in your collection.

Released on April 16, 1964, this album was to be the American release of The Rolling Stones No. 2. As was common at the time, the American execs tampered with the original design of the album, substituting the new American hit Heart of Stone for Time Is On My Side and eliminating Grown Up Wrong, Under The Boardwalk, I Can't Be Satisfied, and Suzie-Q.

The tracks Mona, Oh Baby, Little Red Rooster, and Surprise Surprise were not on the UK release of No. 2, although Little Red Rooster was released as a single and became one of their signature songs in the UK.

Arguably the strongest of the early Stones' releases overall. A huge step forward as compared to their 1st LP and 12X5 in regard to their playing, Jaggers vocal ability and overall sound producton. Their bad boy blues/r&b style continues on this disc but now with much more confidence, maturity and skill. Take a listen to Jagger's sleazy cockiness on "Down Home Girl" and "Off The Hook" or his fluid chug-a-long delivery on "You Can't Catch Me" and "Mona".

The band also demonstrates a much tighter sound on their respective instruments. The classic guitar interplay between Jones & Richards really begins to gel here. Jones' musical versatility begins to shine with his memorable slide on "Little Red Rooster", one of the discs best tunes. Overall the Stones really show here that they were the ones ready to break the mold on the traditional sound that had identified rock & roll up to this point (i.e. Beatles, Kinks, Elvis,etc.)

To me this disc presents one of the biggest mysteries to a Stones fan. It is said that Keith's guitar hero, Chuck Berry, was in the studio during the recording of "Down The Road Apiece". This is one of my all-time favorite Stones songs with some blistering "Berryesque" guitar work. Based on what I had heard prior to and after the recording of this song, I have to wonder if KR ever had the capability to play up to this standard; or if perhaps it is Mr. Berry himself playing lead on this tune. The question is; if Keith is the one smokin' on this lead guitar way back in 1965, why is he such a lousy lead guitarist today???

Two great blues songs: Down Home Girl is just a great song and the remake of Willy Dickson's Little Red Rooster is even better than Willy's own version.

Heart of stone is a classic song that you have all heard.

What a Shame is a semiblues pop song that you will want to hear again and again.

I love the version of Mona (I need you babe)great riffs and superb C.Watts drums Down the road apiece has that great charlie watts Kieth Ricahd sound Excellent Jerry Lee Lewis sound.

You can't Catch me is the prefect Chuck Berry cover done with love and reverence for a guitar god. As well Charlie is flawless on this song.

If you haven't heard the early stones blues sound then don't miss this.