Sometimes considered "just another Stones album" It's Only Rock 'n' Roll was originally released Oct 18, 1974, it went to #1 in the US and #4 in the UK. Over the years Ronnie Wood's song It's Only Rock 'n' Roll has finally achieved the classic status it seemed destined for when it was written. More rewarding is that Keith's opus Time Waits For No One has also become recognized for the great work it is. And on top of all that, If You Can't Rock Me continues to get air and concert play at somewhat of a Stones standard. Not too shabby for just another Stones album. Most people know the music, so in my reviews I try to give you data on the sessions and interesting facts connected with the songs and the album. Here we go:

The sessions for It's Only Rock 'n' Roll ran over a long period of time, starting Nov 13-24, 1973 at Musicland Studios in Munich and running from Jan 14-28, 1974. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (the song) was overdubbed and mixed and Fingerprint file and Luxury were cut at Mick's house (Stargroves) near Newbury from the Rolling Stones Mobile on April 10-15, 1974, and final mixing was done May 20-25 at Island Studios in London. Two songs were recorded that did not appear on the album, Through The Lonely Nights (which was released as the B side of the single It's Only Rock 'n' Roll) and Black Limousine (which was released on the album Tattoo You in 1981). The Stones also recorded two songs that have not been released, Drift Away and Living In The Heart Of Love. The album also included one song (Short And Curlies) from the Goat's Head Soup sessions in Nov and Dec of 1972 in Jamaica.

Interesting notes include:
.....It's Only Rock 'n' Roll has a famous story behind it. Long before Ronnie Wood filled an open spot in the Stones lineup (finally becoming the only Stone not in the original band to be added to the percentage contracts), Mick and Keith were jamming at Ronnie's house (The Wick) in London. The way the story goes, when Mick realized the song was forming from riffs Ronnie had started with Keith, he called George Chkiantz (who engineered the session) and remembering that he was a new father, offered to pay for a babysitter so George could record the jam. He arrived to record them and found David Bowie was part of the band too
.....Mick Taylor's last song with the Stones was (get this) Till The Next Goodbye
.....The cover painting was commissioned from Guy Peellaert[...]. This time he made them gods descending from a temple.
.....The Glimmer Twins 1st appeared as producers on this album....the story goes that Mick and Keith were traveling incognito to South America via ship after the 1968 Rock And Roll Circus sessions. An older woman who spent most of the cruise in the bar with Mick and Keith kept trying to guess who they were and kept asking them to "give us a glimmer" of their identities.

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection, with some of the notes from Davis' "Old Gods Almost Dead." Both books are available from amazon.com.

Some commentaries may feel that Its Only Rock N Roll is just a standard by the numbers release by the Rolling Stones. However, in addition to the usual brand of in your face rock n roll, there are some nice experimental pieces like the funky Fingerprint File, the tender acoustic gem Till The Next Goodbye, and the stunning Time Waits For No One.

Yes, Time Waits For No One is a definite album highlight with the super guitar soloing by Mick Taylor against the back drop of stunning keyboard work by Nicky Hopkins. Its nice that Mick Jagger gave up some of the spotlight on this song to Mick Taylor as Mickie T certainly added a great deal to the Stones sound with his ellaborate solos. Its a shame that he was not allowed to contribute more.

Anyway, If You Can't Rock Me and Aint To Proud To Beg are a super one two punch combination to the open the album. Its Only Rock N Roll is a good tune if a bit overplayed. Like the reggae touches on Luxury. Dance Little Sister is a nice rocker if a little bit basic. If You Really Want To Be My Friend does drag a little bit in spite of some nice organ touches and background vocals. Short and Curlies is both amusing and crude with rollicking piano contributions by Ian Stewart.

Well there you have it. I commented on every song. A very good recording although not quite on the same level as Sticky Fingers, Exile, Beggars Banquet, etc.... But pick it up anyway as there are several tracks(Fingerprint File, If You Can't Rock Me, Time Waits For No One, Aint Too Proud To Beg) which need to be in the collection of any Rolling Stones fan.

In my humble -- well, OK, not really humble -- opinion, the Stones have only made four studio albums in their career to date that could be considered weak or poor: "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (1967), "Goats Head Soup" (1973), "Emotional Rescue" (1980), and "Dirty Work" (1986). All the rest of their studio output over 42 amazing years is good to great, and this album is no exception. Agreed, it's no masterpiece and it certainly is a comedown from that wonderful 'Beggars-to-Exile' winning streak where every release was a carved-in-stone (no pun intended) triumph. But look at what we've got --- "If You Can't Rock Me" is a near-classic opening rocker; "Till the Next Goodbye" a wonderful ballad which again shows the Stones' total mastery of country music; some of Mick Taylor's most graceful soloing in "Time Waits for No One"; the terrific ska/reggae propulsion of "Luxury"; and one of the band's most moving attempts at pure soul music in "If You Really Want to Be My Friend". Only "Short and Curlies" and (maybe because it becomes repetitive) "Dance Little Sister" could really be considered filler on this one.

Yes, the album was recorded when Keith Richards' drug consumption was at an all-time high and Mick Jagger's jet-setting, hob-knobbing lifestyle was at its most irritating. Yes, the production -- especially on the bass and drums -- is muffled and lacks the clarity that would come on later Stones albums. And yes, the band doesn't always sound unified due to the wildly different and separate lifestyles that existed among the band members at this point in time. But, amazingly, it does all come together and what you've got is another damn good Stones album that was quite an artistic rebound from the miserable 'Goats Head Soup' a year earlier, as well as another example which says -- if this is what the Stones sound like when their commitment to the band is mediocre at best, then they must be the world's greatest rock 'n roll band. Certainly the most consistant anyways.

Released in 1974 while they were still at the top of their game, The Rolling Stones scored their 4th consecutive number one album with 'It's Only Rock 'N' Roll". It was also the last one to feature Mick Taylor, the most versatile member of the group.

"It's Only Rock 'N' Roll" kicks off into high gear with "If You Can't Rock Me", followed by a scorching cover of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Next comes the libidinous title track, a jaunty singalong that has become a classic. The album tones down a few notches with the lovely acoustic ballad "Til The Next Time We Say Goodbye". Following is Mick Taylor's magnum opus "Time Waits For No One", featuring a 3 - minute guitar solo that rivals the one on "Free Bird". "Luxury" is a faux - reggae track that is very enjoyable, while "Dance Little Sister" is all - out rock. "If You Really Want To Be My Friend" is a nice soul ballad, and "Short And Curlies" is a cute ditty. "Fingerprint File" closes the album, and is filled with excellent hooks and grooves.

Overall, an excellent album crying out for recognition.

Being an avid classic rock listener in general, I certainly believe this is a great album of that genre. Although many may not believe that this album is up to par with the albums from 1968 to 1972, the songs on this album truly are excellent. From the opening rocker of "If you can't rock me" to the raunchy "It's only rock'n'roll" to the beautiful guitar work of Mick Taylor on "Time Waits for no One" to the final funky closer "Fingerprint File", there is not a single weak spot on this album. Even if the album isn't up there with the Stones' very greatest, isn't that a hell of a lofty expectation to think that a group can continually produce works of absolute genius? If this album were by a less known group with no reputation preceding them, the reviews would be very different. People may argue that this is not the Stones' best, but nonetheless this a great album. Don't listen to the people giving it one star.