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Rolling Stones unreleased: Tell Me Baby
Also known as Tell Me Baby How Many Times Written by: Big Bill Broonzy Recorded: Chess Studios, Chicago, USA, June 10-11 1964 *Very rarely issued officially as part of the German compilation The Best of the Rest, The Rolling Stones Story Part 2, Single Tracks and Rarities from the Decca Period mistakenly titled Tell Me (2nd Version)(1983)
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: This time the Stones latch on to a Big Bill Broonzy song. They play a typical plodding blues with the obligatory wailing harmonica. It’s certainly not a classic and has not officially been made available, either in the USA or the United Kingdom. In Germany, a boxed set of Stones’ material included the song, a fact which may have disconcerted some Decca personnel! The basic attitude adopted at the Chess sessions was to have a good time and lay down as many tracks as possible, usually in just one take. Tell Me Babycatches the enthusiasm but not the skilful direction of other tracks.
Early Blues Experiments: The Rolling Stones at Chess
In June 1964, the Rolling Stones hit Chicago’s legendary Chess Studios and dove headfirst into the blues, capturing the raw energy of their early sound. Among the tracks recorded was Tell Me Baby, also known as Tell Me Baby How Many Times, a cover of Big Bill Broonzy. Unlike the polished hits that would define their career, this track embraced the looser, improvisational feel of the sessions, with the obligatory wailing harmonica and a steady, plodding rhythm. The Stones’ goal was simple: have fun and lay down as many tracks as possible, often in a single take.
Tell Me Baby radiates enthusiasm and the spirit of discovery, even if it lacks the tight production and precise direction of other material from the sessions. While it was rarely released officially, the song did appear on the German compilation The Best of the Rest and The Rolling Stones Story Part 2, giving a glimpse into this playful, formative period that most fans outside Germany never experienced.
A Glimpse into Unreleased Gems
The track showcases the Stones’ early fascination with American blues and their willingness to experiment with raw, live energy over perfection. Its absence from U.S. and U.K. releases emphasizes its status as a hidden gem, one that captures a moment before the band fully honed their legendary rock sound. Though not a classic by mainstream standards, Tell Me Baby documents the excitement and spontaneity of a young band learning their craft. Chess Studios served as both playground and proving ground, and this track stands as a testament to the Stones’ dedication to the blues and their irrepressible enthusiasm for music, even in the roughest of takes.
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