Can't You Hear Me Knocking?

Now we're looking back to April of 1971 when the Brian Jones-less Rolling Stones released an album that would be number 1 on the U.S. album charts for 62 weeks. For some of us, as made clear in the review printed below, it would not come close to their 1968 masterpiece Beggars Banquet. But Brian's replacement, Mick Taylor, did make things interesting and with the benefit of hindsight, Can't You Hear Me Knocking was an amazing latin-jazz-rock track.

This review was originally printed, back in 1971, in The Pacifican (University of the Pacific). Great thanks to V-a, the artist formerly known as Mother Poo of Stockton, California. We dedicate this review to the late Willie Viney, who loved this album and especially the track Can't You Hear Me Knocking. We're playing it LOUD for you, Willie!

Sticky Fingers is an outrageous title and cover for the first Rolling Stones Records release. The Stones and friends are: Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys, Billy Preston, Jack Nitzche, Ry Cooder, Ian Stewart and Paul Buckmaster. Buckmaster is the strings arranger who over-orchestrated the first Elton John album. Unfortunately, his influence is again counter-productive.

Brown Sugar - Had Me A Real Good Time by the Faces with Rod Stewart sounds more like the Stones than the Stones sound like the Stones here. I wonder what happened to the bass track?

Sway - Mother Poo says it's dull. Well, at least it ends interestingly, what with Mick Taylor playing Dave Mason-style riffs over Buckmaster programmed Elton John-ish strings.

Wild Horses - Mother Poo finds it to be sleepy. I will just express my personal preference for the McGuinn-Byrds version.

Can't You Hear Me Knocking - For a couple of minutes, this appears to be a raunchy follow-up to Stray Cat Blues from Beggars Banquet. However, at a certain point a mysterious Rocky Dijon drops in on congas and the Stones are transformed into Santana (or, at least, El Chicano). Mother Poo noted that the guitar flights are to be found in original form on Paul Butterfield's East Meets West album.

You Gotta Move - Keith Richard is on bottleneck. This is the Ry Cooder sound perfected. Mother Poo gives it five stars.

Bitch - Here it is. The Stones back in the groove. The Motown brass arrangement is borrowed from the Temptations and Rare Earth versions of Get Ready. "Jumping Jack Flash, it's such a gas..." Play it LOUD.

I Got the Blues - The Stones are out of their territory again with nostalgic Keys sax and a fine effort by Billy Preston on organ to save the track. (Preston could take Mr. Stephen Stills one-on-one anytime.)

Sister Morphine - This is a message song. Not quite A Message From Turner, although Ry Cooder again contributes his talents.

Moonlight Mile - This is 5:56 of Buckmaster orchestration. Every once in a while Charlie Watts is audible on his official John Bonham drum set.

Dead Flowers is supposedly country.

The Stones appear to be suffering from an identity crisis. They seem to have forgotten that they are one of the foremost ROCK - as in rock 'n roll - bands. Except for Bitch, this album illustrates a considerable loss in power from the recent past of Let It Bleed and Get Yer Ya-Yas Out!