After the two year period (1966-1968) when the Stones didn’t record any covers, the blueprint for their next phase was started with Beggars Banquet.  This album featured all Jagger-Richards compositions except for Prodigal Son, written by Reverend Robert Wilkins.  Most of the studio albums the band released since then have a similar balance of 95% original, 5% covers, and six albums have no covers at all- Goats Head Soup, Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels, Voodoo Lounge, and Bridges to Babylon.  Another tradition started on Beggars Banquet is that Keith would hereafter usually sing one song per album.  (He sings three on Bridges to Babylon.) The list features a Keith Richards solo single, as well as a song recorded by Peter Tosh featuring Mick Jagger.

Interestingly, the Stones went back to the well of older blues artists, 60’s Motown, Soul, and, of course, Chuck Berry during this period, (1968-2002.)

1. Prodigal Son– May-June 1968.  Reverend Robert Wilkins. A folk blues cover, apparently featuring Brian Jones on harmonica, although it’s way down in the mix.
2. Love in Vain– February-March 1969.  Robert Johnson.  This heartfelt rearrangement of classic blues has an almost country feel, with several chords added to the progression.
3. I Don’t Know Why– June-July 1969.  Stevie Wonder. This was recorded during the first series of sessions with Mick Taylor in 1969, but not released until 1975 on the Metamorphosis album.  Features killer slide guitar from Taylor, who had just recently replaced Brian Jones.
4. Little Queenie– 11/28/69. Chuck Berry.  Recorded during the 1969 tour and released on Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out.  The Beatles had also included this in their early live shows, but never recorded it.
5. You Gotta Move– 12/4/69.  Mississippi Fred McDowell.  From Sticky Fingers, with Mick Taylor again giving it his slide treatment.
6. Let it Rock- 3/13/71.  Chuck Berry. This live track was released as the B side of Brown Sugar in the UK.
7. Shake Your Hips– June-October 1971. Slim Harpo.  A very faithful version- their second Slim Harpo cover, this one from Exile on Main St., with outstanding vocals and harmonica by Mick Jagger.
8. Stop Breaking Down– June-October 1971.  Robert Johnson. Jagger’s harmonica again lifts this track into the stratosphere, not to mention Mick Taylor’s slide.
9. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg– 11/14/73. Norman Whitfield-Edward Holland.  Recorded by the Temptations.  The Stones again make this Motown nugget their own.
10. Cherry Oh Baby– 12/14/74 Eric Donaldson.  Released on Black and Blue, the first Stones studio album to feature Ronnie Wood.
11. Mannish Boy– 3/5/77. Muddy Waters. Live at the El Mocambo Club just after Keith’s Canadian drug bust.  This fantastic cover and the next two were released as side three of Love You Live, along with Little Red Rooster.  Evidently guitar and harmonica were overdubbed in the studio later on.
12. Cracking Up– 3/5/77 Bo Diddley.  The Stones gave this one a distinct reggae feel.
13. Around and Around– 3/5/77. Chuck Berry.  The definitive version of the Stones covering Chuck Berry- no overdubs were added to this track.  What a band!
14. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)– October- December 1977. Norman Whitfield-Barret Strong.  The original is quite soft and tender- the Stones rock it out and yet remain faithful to the Temptations version.
15. (You Gotta Walk) Don’t Look Back- 1978.  Smokey Robinson, Ronald White.  Another one originally recorded by the Temptations.  Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both made guest appearances on Peter Tosh’s 1978 album, Bush Doctor, released on Rolling Stones Records.  Mick sang on this track, and performed it with Peter on Saturday Night Live and a few shows during their 1978 tour, for which Tosh’s band was the opening act.
16. Run Rudolph Run– December 1978.  Chuck Berry.  A Keith Richards solo single, released to coincide with Christmas!
17. The Harder They Come– Jimmy Cliff.  The B side of Run Rudolph Run.  Keith was heavily influenced by reggae, and especially the soundtrack to the film The Harder They Come.
18. Goin’ To A Go-Go– 12/9/81- Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Marvin Tarplin. Smokey and the Miracles originally released this in 1966.  This version is from the live album Still Life, and was a popular single in 1982.
19. Harlem Shuffle– April-June 1985. Bob and Earl.  The original was recorded in 1963.
20. Too Rude– April- June 1985. HalfPint. The original song was called Winsome- Keith adapted the tune and changed the title.  Authentic dub reggae.
21. Love Train– Live only, 2002-2003. The O’Jays.  Anyone have a recording of the Stones doing this?  I’d love to hear it!

The Stones were now an original band that sometimes did covers.  They never lost their roots! This post is dedicated to the memory of Phil Spector, who worked with the Stones in 1964.