Sunday, December 11, 2011

No Expectations

Although he didn't appear on "Beggars Banquet", an outtake of one the album's finest moments, "No Expectations", is availabe on which Stu's organ competes for space with Nicky Hopkins' piano. Martin Elliott:
"No Expectations is a tranquil pensive song, and a complete contrast to the electric riffs tried out during the Surrey rehearsals.

Nicky Hopkins lays down a soft melody on the piano and a skilful, effortless bottleneck guitar by Brian Jones accompanies it. One can almost detect the atmospheric ripples of water, splashing on stone. It was one of Brian Jones' career highlights. He was thrilled at the return to Robert Johnson country blues.


The outtake version has studio conversation introducing the song. The take does not have the bottleneck guitar and has more use of the (uncredited!) single key soft organ which is used in great juxtaposition with the piano. From this version, one can appreciate the acoustic guitar playing by Keith Richards and the subtle bass arrangement".


Adapted from the following source: Martin Elliott, The Rolling Stones. Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2002, Cherry Red Books, 2002.

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