Because the Stones’ first Big Hits compilation had been released in separate formats, with the Aftermath-era material appearing only on its UK edition, the American edition of Big Hits Vol. 2 included hit singles from the Aftermath period including Paint It Black.
This album was spawned by three coinciding events — the need to acknowledge the death of band co-founder Brian Jones (whose epitaph graces the inside cover) in July of 1969; the need to get Honky Tonk Women, then a huge hit single, onto an LP; and to fill the ten-month gap since the release of Beggars Banquet and get an album with built-in appeal into stores ahead of the Stones' first American tour in three years. The fact that the Stones had amassed a sufficient number of hits since their last greatest-hits compilation in early 1966 (Big Hits: High Tide and Green Grass) made this a no-brainer, and its song lineup was as potent at the time as any compilation of hit singles by any artist. From the group's excursions into fey psychedelia (Paint It, Black, Ruby Tuesday, She's a Rainbow, Dandelion), space rock (2000 Light Years From Home), punk decadence (Mother's Little Helper), and back to straight-ahead rock & roll (Jumpin' Jack Flash), some of it with a topical edge (Street Fighting Man), it's all incredibly potent, though also redundant to the extent that Ruby Tuesday and Let's Spend the Night Together had previously appeared on two U.S. albums. The presence of Honky Tonk Women propelled it to gold record status upon release on both sides of the Atlantic, although the simultaneously released British version (long out of print, except as a bootleg CD) is different and more confusing, but also more diverse and rewarding musically than the American version. Both this album and Big Hits: High Tide and Green Grass have been supplanted by Hot Rocks and More Hot Rocks, but are still handy in their tight respective focuses.
Tracklist:
1. Paint It Black
2. Ruby Tuesday
3. She’s A Rainbow- Full Version/With Intro
4. Jumpin’ Jack Flash - Mono Version
5. Mother’s Little Helper
6. Let’s Spend The Night Together
7. Honky Tonk Women - Mono Version
8. Dandelion
9. 2000 Light Years From Home
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? - Mono Version
11. Street Fighting Man
Please note that Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) (US Version) (Reissue) (Vinyl LP) is currently not in store but is with our local supplier.
Most of the time it takes around 2-5 days from the time you place the order for the item to arrive here and be sent out but it can take longer if there are any delays.