The Rolling Stones: 5 x 5 EP - 1964
This was The Rolling Stones' second EP and dated from August 1964. Empty Heart and 2120 South Michigan Avenue were credited to "Nanker/Phelge", which was, of course, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards surprisingly and self-consciously not wanting to use their own names. EPs were a short-lived phenomenon from this period that both The Stones and The Beatles utilised, to great effect. This is a superb five song EP, showcasing the young, ebullient bluesy Stones at their best. Listening to it is a real pleasure.
While the original EP was recorded and released in an impressive, speaker-shaking mono, all the songs subsequently appeared on the US-released 12 x 5 album in glorious stereo, so the best way to play this EP's material is by sourcing the stereo versions and you get a real aural treat. I can't praise these versions enough, and indeed I carry on doing so throughout the review - yawwwn!
Around And Around is the EP's most commercial and instantly appealing song, but strangely, it is the final cut. The EP was also notable for the sleeve notes, by Andrew Oldham, which were very much a mid-sixties thing. The tradition began here.
Incidentally, 2120 South Michigan Avenue was considerably edited down on this EP, losing over a minute and a half of sound. Again, this can be rectified by using the extended version that appeared on 12 x 5.
If You Need Me
This soulful ballad had an organ sound not dissimilar to that which was used on Time Is On My Side. Very churchy and gospel. The song had been a hit for Wilson Pickett in 1961. It is the one of the six stereo mixes included on the extended 12 x 5 album where the difference is not that apparent. The song just has a mono vibe to it.
Empty Heart
An early Jagger/Richards song in their curious Nanker/Phelge guise. It was not a throwaway instrumental, like Stoned, but a "proper" song and not a bad one too. It has a really cool, almost funky little rhythmic guitar and drum intro, one that showcased Charlie Watt's drumming skills. Brian Jones's harmonica ain't half bad either. I think this is a genuinely underrated early Mick 'n' Keith song. Get a load of that Booker T-ish organ from the very talented Ian Stewart as it swirls and stabs too. Like all these songs, it also has an absolute killer of a stereo version. Check it out.
2120 South Michigan Avenue
This is an absolutely groovy as fuck little Ian Stewart-powered organ, bass and drums instrumental that I love to death, even more when Brian's harmonica comes in. This is a seriously quality instrumental cut, up there with those of Booker T. & The MGs if you ask me. The stereo version sounds absolutely bloomin' marvellous. Just listen to it - wow. 1964? Are you kidding me! Actually, the mono version is just as thumpingly deep, bassy and powerful. Good times to be had all round with this one.
Confessin' The Blues
Guess what - another one with a really good stereo version, this has always been one of my favourite Stones blues covers. The song had also been covered by Chuck Berry. It dated from the 1940s originally and it just drips with slow, harmonica and guitar-driven blues power, chugging on relentlessly and beautifully. I love it. It is one of the best early Stones numbers. Classic early Stones blues, put it any relevant playlist.
Around And Around
This storming, energetic cover of a Chuck Berry rocker makes for a really fine start to the album. It was actually the first song The Stones ever performed live (in Ealing in 1962) and it was a number popularly covered by many British Blues Explosion artists such as The Animals on their debut album and also by David Bowie during the sessions for his 1972 Ziggy Stardust album, on which it was originally intended to appear. The song just does it for me, in whatever format. Check out the rollicking piano and Keith's early riffing. Superb.
Relevant album - 12 x 5
