Friday, November 18, 2011

Fact sheet: Aftermath

April 1966 the Rolling Stones released their fourth studio album, "Aftermath". Author Pat Gilbert puts the album in some fine perspective: Musically, "Aftermath" is famous for its thoughtfully crafted pop songs, fleshed out with exotic instruments including sitar, dulcimer, harpsichord, marimbas and bells. But as the first album to consist exclusively of Jagger-Richards originals, it also gave the world the first tantalising glimpses of what it felt like to be a Rolling Stone in the months after (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction topped the US charts in June 1965.

The Stones could not, it seemed, get any satisfaction any more, however exiting their lives appeared from the outside. Across 14 tracks, the band spat out their disdain for weak women, rich bitches, touring, hangers-on and travel. Virtually every song contained a vivid flash of anger, homesickness, spite, frustration, boredom, or paranoia. Besides, although he added lots of spice and timbre to the album, the "Aftermath" sessions were the first real signs of Brian  Jones' departure from the band.

The album was recorded during two lenghty sessions at RCA Studios, Hollywood, in December 1965 and March 1966. Ian Stewart plays organ on "Out Of Time" and "It's Not Easy", and piano on six other tracks: "Stupid Girl", "What To Do", "Flight 505", the great "Under My Thumb", the lenghty blues "Goin' Home" and "Doncha Bother Me", a one-take riff at country blues, tinged with country leanings.


Adapted from the following source: Pat Gilbert, Angry Young Men, Mojo Magazine, 2003.

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