Following the long sessions for the previous album in 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards decided that the band needed more direction in the studio and in early 1968 hired Jimmy Miller, who had produced the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. The partnership would prove to be a success and Miller would work with the band until 1973!!.

In March, the band began recording their new album, aiming for a July release. One of the first tracks cut, "Jumpin' Jack Flash", was released as a single that May, becoming a major hit!.

Beggars Banquet was Brian Jones' last full effort with The Rolling Stones. In addition to his slide work on "No Expectations", he played harmonica on "Parachute Woman", "Dear Doctor" and "Prodigal Son", sitar and tambura on "Street Fighting Man", mellotron on "Jigsaw Puzzle" and "Stray Cat Blues" and did backing vocals with the rest of the band on "Sympathy for the Devil". His contribution to the next album, Let It Bleed, would be minimal!.

By June, the sessions were nearly completed in England, with some final overdubbing and mixing to be done in Los Angeles during July. However, both Decca Records in England and London Records rejected the planned cover design - a graffiti-covered lavatory, and the band held back the album. By November, however, The Rolling Stones gave in, allowing the album to be released in December with a simple imitation invitation card cover. The idea for a plain album cover was also implemented by the Beatles for the White Album, which was released one month prior to Beggars Banquet. This similarity, coupled with Beggars Banquet's later release, garnered the Rolling Stones accusations of imitating the Beatles. In 1984, the original cover art was released with the initial CD remastering of Beggars Banquet!.

Critics considered the LP as a return to form. It was also a clear commercial success, reaching #3 in the UK and #5 in the US (on the way to eventual platinum status)!!!.

On 10 December 1968 and 11 December 1968, the band aimed to promote Beggars Banquet by recording a television extravaganza entitled The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus featuring John Lennon, Eric Clapton, The Who and Jethro Tull among the musical guests. However, the project did not air and would not receive an official release until 1996!!.

Jean-Luc Godard filmed some of the recording sessions showing the band recording "Sympathy for the Devil", the lead off track for the album. The film is widely available on DVD!!.

1. "Sympathy for the Devil" – 6:27
   • Keith Richards on bass; Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg and Jimmy Miller on backing vocals; Rocky Dijon, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts on percussion
2. "No Expectations" – 4:02
   • Brian Jones on slide guitar, Nicky Hopkins on piano
3. "Dear Doctor" – 3:26
   • Brian Jones on harmonica
4. "Parachute Woman" – 2:23
   • Mick Jagger on harmonica
5. "Jigsaw Puzzle" – 6:17
   • Nicky Hopkins on piano, Keith Richards on acoustic guitar and electric slide guitar, Brian Jones on guitar and Mellotron, Bill Wyman on bass
6. "Street Fighting Man" – 3:18
   • Dave Mason on shehani, Keith Richards on bass, Brian Jones on sitar and tambura
7. "Prodigal Son" (Rev. Robert Wilkins) – 2:55
   • Brian Jones on harmonica
8. "Stray Cat Blues" – 4:40
   • Brian Jones on Mellotron
9. "Factory Girl" – 2:12
   • Rik Grech on fiddle, Dave Mason on Mellotron
10. "Salt of the Earth" – 4:51
    • First verse sung by Keith Richards.

The vinyl

On initial visual inspection I can barely see a blemish on the playing surface this looks stunning!! still retains its original sheen from new !! This lays perfectly flat on the turntable!!!! This is the original THICKER and deeper grooved type of vinyl only found on original early pressings later pressings were much more flimsier and less robust. Any marks that could  possibly be seen under strong light could only be sleeve removal marks THIS IS AWESOME!

The Audio Quality

 I have played this vinyl as usual track for track at very loud volume on a top system!!!,, and the audio is awesome, cristal clear and vibrant all of the way through, Please note! (no) background noise\crackle  which is so common on these early pressings!!! This is so rare to find like this and in this condition. There is (no) skips or jumps and no signs of any grooveware or signs that this has been overplayed what so ever!!!! This sounds like it has barely been played absolutely stunning audio seperation!!!!The audio is as good as it gets in my opinion this plays through near perfect on my systems,,, grades at the top on all frequencies!!!!!

The Labels,

These are the original and early'BOXED'' DECCA labels!!!! In absolutely superbe condition with (no) nasty names written on them.  Very limited  Spidering can be seen in strong light (this has not been over played in my opinion)!!!! UNBELEIVABLE! a TOP!example very rarely seen like this!!!!! Made in England is featured (only UK press) !!!! 

The Matrix

Side 1. XARL 8476-4K side 2. XARL 8477-1K (crossed out corrected matrix)

The Mother Stampers

side1 ''5 0'' ''DCA'' side 2. ''C C'' ''HC''

The Cover

This is the original gatefold! printed by ROBERT STACE (ENGLAND) with (no) splits or tares or nasty names written! The laminate is lovely and glossy! The important note!, is that this still retains its lovely white cover and hasn't yellowed at all (very rare) The spine is superbe and all writing is legible! Amazingly Extreemely limited and very minor creasings in the laminate at the spine hardly worth to mention!! very very light storageware\scuffing to the top spine corner but (very light) (see photos) There are some indents that can be seen at the rear only noticable if looked for angled to the light. TRULY SUPERBE EXAMPLE!!!! (SEE PHOTOS)   RARE TO FIND THIS COVER LIKE THIS!!Must be at least excellent!!!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original DECCA poly lined sleeve with light creases with age (no) splits or tares!!!!!! (see photos) please note! the vinyl is now stored seperately from the cover and sleeve! This is how i have always stored my records!!!!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA IS 10.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 7.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS 3.90 SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!!!

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement!!!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

                             >>>>MY OTHER ITEMS < <<<

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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