Metamorphosis

by

The Rolling Stones

Edit

There is some confusion here about which version of Metamorphosis has been released. Although the Amazon.com listing I have seen online shows 14 tracks, the version I received and all the versions I have seen in the stores have all 16 tracks. Here are the details on both versions, although I am quite sure the 16 track European version is what has been released, not the American 14 track version that was first released on vinyl.

With the release of the remastered super audio CDs (SACD) of the Stones ABCKO catalog (which includes all the early Decca/London material), it helps to clarify the confusion about the U.S. and U.K./European releases of the original vinyl Metamorphosis.

There are 2 Metamorphosis versions, both released on June 6, 1975:

U.S. ABKCO vinyl with 14 tracks

U.K. /European Decca vinyl with 16 tracks

This new remastered SACD is the 16 track U.K./European ABKCO vinyl release. It includes the two extra tracks that were included on the U.K./European vinyl release (Somethings Just Stick In Your Mind and We're Wastin' Time). There are several things worth noting about these tracks, for example several tracks are actually Mick backed by the Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra, not the Stones themselves (I've marked these below with a #). Of special interest is this version of Memo From Turner is the only version ever released with the Stones backing Mick (The Performance soundtrack version has Mick backed by studio musicians, which included Jimmy Page). I have noted the specifics below.

Note: ABCKO acquired the Stones' catalog when Allen Klein was released as their manager in 1972. The resulting legal battles produced releases that the Stones opposed (they took out full page adds asking fans not to buy them), including both of these very controversial Metamorphosis releases (which are now available on CD for the 1st time ever). But the sad fact is that the Stones lost control of their great early material. With these remastered SACD releases, we at last have some idea of what they really sounded like in the studio. I guess if we had these 40 years ago they would have ended up Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the Universe instead of just the Greatest Rock And Roll Band in the World.

The tracks were recorded from 1964-70 as follows:

Jun 10-11, 1964 at Chess Studios in Chicago

.....Don't Lie To Me (a Chuck Berry song, STILL wrongly credited to Jagger & Richards)

Jun 29 - Jul 7, 1964 at Regent Sound and Decca Studios in London

.....#Try A Little Harder (with Jimmy Page)

.....#Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind (with Jimmy Page)

Jul, 1964 at Regent Sound in London

.....#Heart Of Stone (Metamorphosis has the only release of this version)

Aug 31 - Sep 1, 3, 4, 1964 at Pye and Decca Studios in London

.....#We're Wasting Time

.....#(Walking Thru the) Sleepy City

.....#Each And Every Day Of The Year

Feb late, 1965 at Decca Studios in London

.....#I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys (written for Bob Crewe commemorating his hit)

May 6, 1966 at Pye Studios in London

.....#Out Of Time (Mick backed by studio musicians)

Nov 9-26, 1966 at Olympic and Pye Studios in London

.....If You Let Me

May 13-21, 1968 at Olympic Studios in London

.....Downtown Suzie

Jun 28, 1968 at Olympic Studios in London

.....Family

Nov 17, 1968 at Olympic Studios in London

.....Memo From Turner

Jun 10 - Jul 2, 1969 at Olympic Studios in London

.....Jiving Sister Fanny

.....I Don't Know Why

Ju1 14-15, 1970 at Olympic Studios in London

.....I'm Going Down (with Stephen Stills)

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own

collection.