ALBUMS

• THE ROLLING STONES: THE ROLLING STONES: EP: 1964: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:

• THE ROLLING STONES: THE ROLLING STONES: 1964: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The first hit in the US came from this album- and it was the first really good song to come out of the Jagger-Richards songwriting team- Tell Me- #24. It wasn’t released as a single in the UK.

• THE ROLLING STONES: FIVE BY FIVE: 1964: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:  A second EP  with five songs – two of them originals-  the best being Empty Heart. The covers are R&B covers which was their norm at this point. The songs were recorded in Chicago at the legendary Chess Studios.

• THE ROLLING STONES: THE ROLLING STONES NO.2: 1965: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The sophomore album in the UK by The Rolling Stones. They are still relaying on covers at this point- only three Jagger-Richards songs out of the dozen songs on the album and none of them are standouts. A cover “Time Is On My Side” became a #6 hit in the US.

• MERLE TRAVIS: THE BEST OF MERLE TRAVIS: 1964: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The other Country Music Hall of Famer named Merle. Travis was popular in the late 40’s best known for his fingerpicking style of guitar playing and songs about the exploitation of American coal miners. Dark As A Dungeon, I Am A Pilgrim, John Henry, Sweet Temptations among his better known songs.