"Beggars Banquet" is one of the very big Rolling Stones albums. Not only does the album contains the hit "Street Fighting Man" and classics like "Sympathy for the Devil," "Stray Cat Blues," "Salt of the Earth" and "Jig Saw Puzzle", it was also with this album that the famous Rolling Stones sound was founded.

There is little doubt that producer Jimmy Miller had a great share in creating the sound that would become the group's hallmark for years to come. After a little groping with the album "Their Satanic Majesty's Request", which certainly also had its moments, there was need to find a more basic sound that was more a natural extension of the group's musical roots. You clearly feel on several numbers the Jimmy Miller imprint, and some places even similarities with another group Miller produced these years, namely Traffic.

Roughly speaking, the album's tracks can be divided into two groups; the acoustic and very blues inspirerd, and the more modern rocking, with biting and satirical lyrics, obviously inspired by Bob Dylan.

The acoustic numbers could as easily have fitted into previous albums, like "Between the Buttons" and it is not really on those we discover the "new" Stones. However, the songs are absolutely very good, especially the touching "No Expectations", with nice slide guitar by Brian Jones.

However, it is the "electric" tracks makes the album a classic. The opening song "Sympathy for the Devil" is more or less the epitome of the new sound. Great rhythm section with congas and maracas, which is followed by Nicki Hopkins' piano, after which Jagger sings his "tribute" to evil. Great musical structure on this number.

"Stray Cat" is closely related, perhaps more rooted in the blues, again with congas. And again, with biting lyrics, and a song that would be a live favorite.

"Jigsaw Puzzle" is another of the album's big numbers. The lyrics are strongly related to Dylan's "Desolation Row" - as with "Sympathy" there is a great build-up / structure - interesting with the flute-like sound, reportedly played by Dave Mason on a shehnai, an Indian wind instrument.

"Salt of the Earth", is at least as strong, with a surprising Richards lead vocals on the first verse. Again, Jagger / Richard from their lyrically most interesting side.

"Street Fighting Man" was the hit single, which skilfully catches the youth rebellions that raged across many big cities of the western world. Great guitar riff.

"Parachute Woman" is a number that is somewhat in between the two main categories. Strong roots in blues, but more electric than the other blues numbers. Could easily be called a precursor to "Midnight Rambler" from the subsequent album "Let it Bleed", which Miller also would produce.

Not the best Rolling Stones album but it holds my favourite track of all time in 'Sympathy For The Devil' probably the hardest they've ever worked on a record Top Tune! other faves here 'Jig Saw Puzzle,Stray Cat Blues,Street Fighting Man'.

The first of many of masterpieces by the Stones.Prodigal Son might be my favourite song on this album. Does anyone else get a Micheal Jackson vibe from the start of Salt Of The Earth or is it just me?

Similarity throughout but a nice rocky sound. Clear future innovation.

One of these days I may get the Stones, but that day is not today. Like almost any Stones album, the opening track is brilliant, but it really falls off after that. A good album if you're really into blues rock, I guess.

The back to basics masterpiece following the group's questionable psychedelic outing. Beautifully played folk songs sit next to the sleaze of Stray Cat Blues, a song that may or may not have become their image on albums to come. This record is also the first in one of the most impressively consistent album strings in rock history (this, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St.)

For me the best Stones record.

The second best Stones album behind Let It Bleed. Stones at their high point of their career.

Solid album, although I hate Dear Doctor. For some reason it just annoys the hell out of me. No Expectations I didn't like at first but now give it 4 stars. Street Fighting Man and Sympathy for the Devil are some of the best songs ever written. I almost want to say this is my favorite Stones album.

The only way this could have been made better is if they would have dropped Dear Doctor and included Jumpin Jack Flash on it rather than just release it as single. Stray Cat Blues is my fave Stones song, with no expectations not far behind it.