Rolling Stones, The ‎– December's Children (And Everybody's)

Basically, a pretty solid Stones' album. The only weak cuts are Jagger and Richards' compositions. "Gotta Get Away" and "Blue Turns to Grey" were never too interesting. But why nitpick? There's an awful lot of good stuff on this collection. Easily the most underrated Stones' song opens the album. The one-minute and thirty second 'She Said Yeah' is a beautiful long orgasm of noise. Following on its heels is a very good version of Chuck Berry's 'Talkin' About You'. Once again, the Stones' version trumps Berry's. "I'm Free", relegated to a 'b' side on a single, is another underrated little gem from the Stones' catalogue. "As Tears Go By" remains a Marianne Faithfull song, but must have been a big ego boost for Mick and Keith, who scored a hit with the Faithfull version. Yes, they could write hits for other artists, a la Lennon and McCartney.
"Get Off My Cloud" remains a strong early single for the Stones. Their live version of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On" is truly inspired, as it portends future knowing country-inspired tracks by the Glimmer Twins. "You Better Move On" is done capably, but its plaintiveness is very un-Stones'-like. And I prefer the studio recording of 'Route 66' to the rushed live version presented here. "The Singer Not the Song" is another 'non-Stones' song, reminding one of "Out of Time". Nice pop songs, but not exactly 'Stones' music. If you get the chance, re-listen to "She Said Yeah". It's quite dazzling still after all these years, much like their frenetic version of the Beatles' "I Wanna Be Your Man".

There's an awful lot of brilliance on this album. But too many weak cuts keep it from being as good as the Stones' previously release, "Out Of Our Heads". "Gotta Get Away", "Blue Turns To Grey" and "The Singer Not The Song" are fairly forgettable Jagger-Richards compositions.
But the lp begins with a one minute and thirty second orgasm, the little-known "She Said Yeah". You will need a cold shower after this. Once again, Mick and Keef and the boys show Chuck Berry how to do Chuck Berry with a great take on "Talkin' About You". "You Better Move On" is a ballad that doesn't really suit the Stones. And we don't really need the live version of "Route 66".
Side two begins with the great rock of "Get Off My Cloud", followed by one of their best b-sides, "I'm Free". "As Tears Go By" was an important composition for Jagger and Richard. Being a hit for Marianne Faithfull, it must have instilled confidence in their ability to write.
Their choice of performing a live "I'm Movin' On" is quite prophetic. An early entry into country rock, and it foreshadows many of the band's country influenced tunes to follow. It's clear they had a great love and understanding of this music.
So it's half a great album, which still sounds great after all these years.