The Rolling Stones have cemented their position as one of rock history’s most iconic and consequential bands with their timeless albums and singles. The Stones have remained rock & roll legends for more than 60 years. They have shaped the sound and manner of innumerable musicians and bands, influencing decades beyond their own. So it’s only natural that we have many tributes. The danger of a tribute is that if that band is good enough, and the songs are close to the original arrangements, then what is the point? I may as well take out my Stones records. Luckily, we have two tributes that mostly avoid this issue:
Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Jagger & Richards”
The musicians from JEM pay tribute to Mick and Keith’s compositional skills while giving their songs a fresh coat of paint. It follows the previous “Jem Records Celebrates..” template, and it’s loaded with highlights.
Midnight Callers put a stamp on “Jumpin Jack Flash,” loaded with more energy than the original. The Anderson Council makes “Citadel” sound like their own, and the Cynz’s rock the sleazy “Star Star.”
The Grip Weeds let loose a sonic psych-pop avalanche on “We Love You.” Paul Collins, the King of Power Pop, is on board with a fantastic rendition of “Tell Me,” while the Weeklings rock out on “Rocks Off,” blending Stonesy swagger with Beatle guitar crunch. The other tunes don’t stand out as much, but this remains a top-notch collection. Highly Recommended!
Assorted Artists “Punk Me Up – a Tribute to the Rolling Stones”
Punk music shares similarities with rock and blues through its raw energy, straightforward song structures, and emphasis on attitude and emotion. So in taking on the Stones catalog, punk’s DIY ethos and focus on simple, direct musical expression echo the spirit of Jagger and Richards’ work. But it’s not easy:
The Good: Peter’s version of “Mother’s Little Helper” is a killer version with a punk growl that works perfectly. Reagan Youth’s “Rocks Off” and JFA’s “Midnight Rambler” also do a great job here. Anti Nowhere League is also impressive, with “Sympathy for the Devil” and Skids effectively turning “Wild Horses” into an 80s goth punk ballad.
The Bad: Nah Wobble is a rant without the singing on “Start Me Up,” UK Subs were too close to the original on “Paint It Black,” and the anemic vocals of The Members do a forgettable version of “Angie.” But overall, it was a decent package of covers, some of them very memorable. Check it out.
