Rarities 1971-2003 by Rolling Stones (The) (CD, Nov-2005, Virgin Records USA)

I didn't know what to expect when I popped this album in, but what an excellent collection of Stones tunes. They're songs that we've all heard of, but they're different versions, and live tunes that haven't been released on other albums (most of them anyway).

Fancy Man Blues starts it off with some cool blues that just whets our appetite. Then Tumbling Dice starts off with a lower sound in which you can hardly hear the tune, but then they kick it in gear, and it's a pretty cool version. Don't turn up your stereo too loud during the quiet part at the beginning, or you'll blow your speakers or eardrums. Wild Horses had been released before on Stripped, so it's nothing new, but it's a good version on the underappreciated album. Beast of Burden is another good live effort, which is done with some cool reverb effects on the guitar which aren't present on the original. The tracklist goes on. The alternate dance mix of Miss You isn't too much different from the original, Wish I'd Never Met You is a cool slower bluesy track, same with If I Was A Dancer, and Anyway You Look At It is a nice slow ballad. Then they pick up steam again with a cool live version of the bluesy I Just Wanna Make Love To You, which was made famous by Foghat but it's actually a Willie Dixon song, and the Stones play it truer to his version. Then comes a different version of Mixed Emotions which is similar to the original with a few extra twists, especially the long intro including the bridge/chorus at the beginning. Through The Lonely Nights slows it down again, then they start rocking with a live version of Live With Me which I like because of the cool grooving by Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Let It Rock is a Chuck Berry cover, and it sounds a lot like Johnny B. Goode (which a lot of Chuck Berry songs do), but the Stones rock it pretty good. Then there's a different mix of Harlem Shuffle which is pretty cool, and they finish off with live versions of Muddy Waters' Mannish Boy and Thru and Thru which I believe is originally off of Voodoo Lounge (could be Bridges To Babylon, but I think it's off of Voodoo).

I think this album is pretty much for diehard fans only. Casual fans might enjoy it, but it would be a risk for them. They could be disappointed. Die hard fans meanwhile will absolutely love the live versions and the different mixes. So if you're a die hard fan, it's an absolute must. If you're a casual fan, maybe you should sample it first from someone who already has it, or sample it on the internet before buying it. Or maybe I can phrase this in a different way. If you're looking for hard rock Stones, like Start Me Up or Sympathy For The Devil, then this probably isn't for you. If you enjoy blues (which the Stones do a lot of on this album), and you like some of their slower material, then you'll really enjoy this collection.

A rough and tumble assemblage to be sure...still great to hear these songs in a new collection! Too many dismiss their dance mixes which seems a shame since they provide another angle on the lads creativity.

Some good hard to find versions on this CD. A few more good live versions would have been nice. Extended "Miss You" with Sugar Blue harmonica solo is a nice classic track.

Ok at first I was wondering how this seller could sell this sought after cd for such an inexpensive price, well I found out when it came to me. He must have found it from a garage sell or something because it was the real deal but it was actually from an old library, but none the less it was as described and it will be enjoyed and appreciated greatly. Thanks.