These were exciting times in the early sixties. This captures all of that urgency. There was a new recording every other week. How the band managed to do so much in the studio and so much on the road defies explanation. They musta been on drugs or something. So some of the production isn't what we've got used to these days - it's raw, it's passionate, it's almost live. This gives you the transition from cover versions of mainly black R&B artists to Jagger\Richard originals - and it's seamless. These lads learnt their art well and preserved it for us brilliantly.

The later stuff from the band (Sticky Fingers onward) is a faint shadow of these early recordings. It has no great enthusiasm or sexual energy. Jagger became jaded and comfortable. These tracks were pretty well all recorded as potential three minute hit singles. The booklet adds a lot of background - like how Lady Jane got onto tape - unbelievable. Ian Stewart gets his credits and Brian Jones' influence is prominent (but fading). Three CD's crammed to the gunnels and there's not a track I'd want to lose but a few I wish had been included - Take it or Leave it\Poison Ivy\Under the Boardwalk\Oh Carol.