Live 1965: Music from Charlie Is My Darling

Any serious fan of The Rolling Stones *needs* this brief live set from 1965. Originally issued as part of the super-deluxe edition of the *Charlie Is My Darling* film set, *Live 1965* is a digital-only issue of the band in their early prime. The crowds are manic and screaming throughout, but the stinging lead guitar lines from Keith Richards cut through as Mick Jagger illustrates his early mastery of the Chess blues and R&B standards that were a large part of the band’s initial appeal. Original member Brian Jones delivers the slide guitar of Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster,” while drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman hold the group together despite the chaos. “The Last Time” displays the emergence of the Jagger/Richards songwriting team, while the band’s “I’m Alright” is a furious rocker in the mold of their covers of Bobby Troup’s “Route 66” and Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On.” Along with the set closer (Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”), these are early signs of the World’s Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band falling into place.