The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet

This Original UK Stereo Pressing of the album that marked a return to the band's blues-rock roots

Year Released: 1968

Genre: Blues Rock, Roots Rock, Hard Rock, Country Blues

Description:

Beggars Banquet is the seventh studio album by The Rolling Stones, and a pivotal moment in their career. Released in December 1968, it marked a decisive and brilliant return to their blues and R&B roots after their foray into psychedelic pop with the previous year's Their Satanic Majesties Request. Produced by Jimmy Miller, this was the first of a legendary five-album run that cemented their status as "The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World."

The album's sound is raw, gritty, and often acoustic-driven, showcasing a band at the height of its powers. It features a stunning blend of styles, from the dark, Latin-infused rock of the opener "Sympathy for the Devil" to the folk-blues of "No Expectations" and the raw country of "Dear Doctor." The lyrical content, penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, is a cynical and vivid commentary on social and political unrest, class divides, and human nature, mirroring the tumultuous year of 1968.

A key point of controversy and a testament to the band's artistic defiance was the album's original cover art. The band and photographer Barry Feinstein created a photograph of a graffiti-covered bathroom wall, but this was rejected by their record label, Decca, for being too offensive. This dispute delayed the album's release for months, forcing them to use a simple, white cover designed to look like a formal invitation, complete with "R.S.V.P." The original "toilet cover" has since been used on many reissues. The album is also significant as the last to be released during the lifetime of founding member Brian Jones, who had a diminished role in the recordings but still contributed memorable parts, such as the slide guitar on "No Expectations."