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Written by: Jimmy Reed Recorded: IBC Studios, London, England, March 11 1963
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: An impressive version of Jimmy Reed’s Bright Lights, Bic City. Originally this aforementioned song had been recorded by Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys. Mick Jagger’s co-musicians at the time were Bob Beckwith, Allen Etherington and Dick Taylor. Now with the new band members, the song epitomised a young Stones sound, Jagger performing in a relaxed manner while Ian Stewart provided an excellent piano background. The enthusiasm could not be missed by anyone listening.
From allmusic: One of the many “best of Jimmy Reed” albums released over the years, Bright Lights, Big City is a 16-song CD that the independent Chameleon put out in 1988 for its Vee-Jay Hall of Fame series. The liner notes are poor; exact recording dates and personnel are missing, and a brief summary only scratches the surface in describing Reed’s accomplishments. But the sound quality isn’t bad, and the material itself is nothing to complain about. Laidback hits like “Baby, What You Want Me to Do,” “Big Boss Man,” “Honest I Do” and “Shame, Shame, Shame” are included along with some enjoyable rarities, including the playful “Sugar, Sugar,” the infectious “Don’t Say Nothin'” and “Honey, Where You Goin’.” These 16 songs certainly wouldn’t be a bad introduction to Reed’s legacy, but a bluesman of his magnitude deserves better than Chameleon’s skimpy, inadequate liner notes.
