Apparently, ALL copy tapes ever used for production versions of this album (and this includes the original vinyl!) were running slow, and were made on incorrectly-calibrated tape machines. This is the first time the original master has been used, and the difference in audio quality is absolutely stunning. It really is *that good*, folks, and if you have any trepidation about upgrading your copy of this milestone album, throw it to the wind. You won't be disappointed.

And as an addendum, need I add that my estactic reaction above comes from the CD layer only? All of the Stones reissues are "hybrid" SACD discs; they have two layers, one that will play in normal CD players, and one that takes advantage of Sony's DSD-based SACD format. Apparently, the SACD format is another "night and day" difference as well.

In summary: excellent album, and an absolutely amazing upgrade. You won't be disappointed.

67 of 72 found the following review helpful:

Blueprint for much of rock during the 70's  Oct 20, 2002
By WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.-Albert Einstein"
1968 turned into a very good year for the Stones. Jumpin' Jack Flash and Beggar's Banquet allowed Jagger and Richard to finally emerge from the shadow of Lennon and McCartney. Sure, the Stones produced many great songs before BB, but they were always being compared to The Beatles. The comparison was unfair (both bands had slightly different roots and played a different brand of rock). Beggar's Banquet established the Stones as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands around (I say one of the greatest because the argument could easily be made for a number of other bands including The Who).

The band had finally found their George Martin. Jimmy Miller's sympathetic production captured the band's raw edge. This is as raspy and as close to the blue as rock ever got. From the stunning opening salvo of percussion, piano and vocals on Sympathy for the Devil to the gospel tinged backing vocals that close out Salt of the Earth, BB proved to be the most consistently brillant album the band would make. Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers followed on the heels of this great album and, while both are great in their own way, they basically use the blueprint of this terrific album to construct those masterpieces. Let It Bleed ranks up there as one of the band's finest moments but it has a little bit of filler. Every track on BB is essential and works.

The sound quality is amazing. Some tracks benefit more from others. The opening track, Jigsaw Puzzle and Parachute Woman all benefit from the razor sharp sound found on this CD/SACD hybird. My only reservation is with the artwork. I really dislike digpaks. They are a bizarre love child of the CD replica of original albums and the CD plastic box format. It's neither fish nor fowl (well, I'd call it foul--if the plastic spindle breaks you can't replace it and it becomes pretty useless as far as storing the CD). The cardboard digipak doesn't stand up to wear and tear very well (then again the original cardboard vinyl sleeves didn't either). I don't know that there's a happy medium here.

It would have been nice to include extras (bonus tracks, out takes or even a booklet with lyrics, comments from the band, etc.). Still, I'm happy with the stunning sound quality (I'm not so happy about the UK/US release format that Abkco has used. Personally I would have preferred having bonus tracks from the US releases and then sequenced them myself). Nevertheless, BB along with Let It Bleed, Aftermath, Between the Buttons and Sticky Fingers are essential Stones albums. I know lot of folks would include Exile on Main Street as well but for me it's an over rated album. The sound is murky, the songwriting sloppy on many tracks and it has too much filler (much like The Beatles' White Album--oops there's that comparison again).

48 of 51 found the following review helpful:

The First of the Big Four  Sep 09, 2002

Beggar's Banquet is the first in a string of albums in which the Stones could do no wrong musically. Try this puppy on for size: it'll knock your socks off guarenteed. The cover alone says enough: a dirty, putrid toilet nestled before a gloriously decorated (with graffiti) yellow-stained wall. For an unmatched rock n' roll/blues blend that puts the rest of the music world to shame, check out this album by the only group worthy of the title "Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World"!

Here's a quick list of the songs, my (obsequious and hyper-adjectival) comments, as well as a personal favorite moment/part/aspect of each tune.

1. Sympathy for the Devil-- unreal; one of rock's all time great tunes; smart, cool lyrics; a constant build-up of energy. Personal favorite moment: Keith's solo.

2. No Expectations-- Soft, quiet, and lovely; impeccable slide guitar by Jones; Hopkins adds flavor with an intimate piano backdrop. Personal favorite moment: Jones' slide guitar work.

3. Dear Doctor-- a Country-Blues beauty; Jagger and Co.'s singing is top-notch; irresistable acoustic sound; Personal fav moment: Jagger(?) hilariously reading a note he found in his pocket.

4. Parachute Woman-- Sounds a lot like it belongs on Exile on Main Street; decadent and down-right raunchy; muscular riff; great Jones guitar work; Personal fav part: tightness and speed, in an effort to avoid censorship no doubt.

5. Jigsaw Puzzle-- Dylan-esque lyrics; Non-stop barrage of sound leaves one puzzled: will it ever end?; Jones in another incredible slide guitar performance; Charlie rules. 'Nuff said. Personal Favorite moment: Nicky Hopkins rocking and rolling on the keyboard.

6. Street Fighting Man: Has, next to Satisfaction, my favorite Stones' riff; unprecedented barrage of guitars; lyrics are revolutionary (literally). Fav moment: Charlie's first couple of beats.

7. Prodigal Son-- Another tremendous Stone's romp down country-blues lane; the only non-Jagger/Richards song on the album; placed next to Street Fighting Man, the two tracks show off Mick's vocal range with great success. Favorite part: subtle yet awesome harmonica playing. Note: For an interesting/cool song with a similar feel and sound, check out Zeppelin's "Poor Tom" which can be found on Coda.

8. Stray Cat Blues: Two words: Charlie. Watts. A powerful antithesis to Prodigal Son; even more raunchy than Parachute Woman; hard rocker with searing guitar work; flawless blues/rock blend; Personal favorite part: dizzying, almost frightening final two minutes of sweet jam action. Did I mention Charlie rules?

9. Factory Girl: An intimate glimpse of a working class folk relationship/mentality; short but to the point acoustic gem. Personal favorite part: very appropriate fiddle/mandolin conbination used throughout.

10. Salt of the Earth: Another prophetic glimpse into the future: has a feeling similar to Let it Bleed's You Can't Always What You Want (though not as sprawling); uplifting in a gospel/evangelical sorta way; Personal Favorite part: Hopkins again with his powerful piano accompanyment leading the way to the end of this incredible album, the first of four must haves by the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World!

16 of 16 found the following review helpful:

Beggars Banquet  Nov 02, 2002
By Alexander "Alex"
Unquestionably one of the best albums of 1968, this blues-rock masterpiece started off the Stones' best years, from 1968-1972. Although I prefer its sister album, Let It Bleed, Beggars contains Sympathy For the Devil, perhaps the best thing the band ever did. Starting with the opening conga beat, the song rolls into a relentless groove, propelled by Nicky Hopkins' piano and especially Bill Wyman's magnificent bass playing. Keith's slashing solo is icing on the cake, and Jagger writes some of his best lyrics. The ferocious rocker Stray Cat Blues features more of that screeching electric guitar, with a coda to knock your socks off.

The rest of Beggars is primarily acoustic. Also seen are the last flashes of brilliance from the late Brian Jones. On the beautiful ballad No Expectations, he delivers a terrific passage of bottleneck guitar, and there's more of his tasty slide on Jigsaw Puzzle. Soon after, his drug use worsened, and he was found dead in his pool a year later. Moving back to the songs, the 2nd most well-known number here is Street Fighting Man. A hard rock song with vicious acoustic guitars and revolutionary lyrics, this one of the record's best. Also standing out for me are the Dylan-esque Jigsaw Puzzle, and then there's Salt of the Earth, one of the most uplifting songs I've ever heard. Prodigal Son has some great guitar and hilarious singing by Jagger, as does Dear Doctor (the latter cracks me up every time!). Finally, there's Parachute Woman, a raw blues number, and the gorgeous Factory Girl. All in all, a superb album. Buy it today.

18 of 19 found the following review helpful:

It Never Sounded This Good  Sep 02, 2002

After a brief foray into psychedelia (culminating with the December 1967 release of "Their Satanic Majesties Request"), The Rolling Stones hooked up with American producer Jimmy Miller and came out swinging from the hip the following year, determined to return to the raw r&b roots on whose wings they first rose to prominence. The first result was the "Jumpin' Jack Flash" single released in May '68, and then, after being held up for a few months due to squabbles between the band and their label over the original cover art, "Beggars Banquet" appeared in early December. One listen to this newly-remastered cd reminded me just why this is my all-time favorite Stones album. First, I've been through a handful of copies of this album over the past quarter-century, and I've never heard it with the impeccable quality, clarity and stereo separation this reissue produces. And then there's the meat: From the metal prototypes "Street Fighting Man" and "Stray Cat Blues," to the heartbroken ballad "No Expectations," the gritty hardcore blues of "Parachute Woman" and "Prodigal Son," the playful country-flavored "Dear Doctor--" and of course, the downright in-your-face funky "Sympathy For The Devil." It just doesn't come any better than this. While The Stones' next two studio albums, "Let It Bleed" and "Sticky Fingers" are brilliant and garnered more commercial radio airplay, "Banquet" comes roaring out of my stereo a good bit more often. Perhaps the band's hunger to get back on track is a factor in this album's having (to my ears, anyway), a more impassioned, driving undercurrent than the following classic albums: After all, when a greyhound is hungry, he's meaner, leaner and runs a lot faster than he does when he's fat and happy-so it only makes sense. This album's a winner from top to bottom, and I urge you to buy this reissue; you will not be sorry.

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