The Rolling Stones released their second American LP, 12 X 5, in October of 1964. It was a hastily thrown together affair consisting of tracks recorded at the legendary Chess studio in Chicago plus some other tracks put together in London.
Despite its hasty nature the album showed that the Rolling Stones were progressing musically. While 12 X 5 still contained a large number of covers (7), Mike Jagger and Keith Richards has begun to regularly write their own material. The cover songs were still taken from the rhythm & blues idiom but the Stones were gradually moving their sound toward straight rock and roll.
“It’s All Over Now,” originally penned by Bobby Womack, would become an early Rolling Stones signature song and make the American top 40 charts when released as a single. The Stones took this classic R&B song and remade it in their own image. The sound, including Mick Jagger’s vocals, are very rock & roll and it holds up well over forty years later.
12 X 5 contains an early version of “Time Is On My Side” This track featured an organ sound rather than a guitar. Mick Jagger’s voice also comes across with less urgency than the final release. The song was re-cut in London with a Brian Jones guitar line and new vocals which became a lasting Rolling Stones classic.
The single, “Time Is On My Side,” was the first Rolling Stones record that I ever purchased. It even came with a picture sleeve that portrayed the Stones in all their ugly, grungy glory.
The flip side of the single was “Congratulations” which I remember playing as much as “Time Is On My Side.” “Congratulations” featured some excellent acoustic guitar by Brian Jones and is a reminder of just how good a musician he could be when not completely under the influence. This sarcastic love song accurately reflected the attitude the Rolling Stones were trying to present to the public.
Article comments
1 - Stones Marathoner
Why is the album called 12 X 5?
2 - David Bowling
12 songs by 5 musicians. Thanks, David
3 - John
I enjoyed reading the review. Good stuff.
You mention "Conratulations" was the flip side of "Time Is On My Side." On my old vinyl 12X5 it's listed as "Congradulations" with a "d" not a "t."
Which is right?