E-Mail This Article to a Friend Skipping stones Sorting through the newest box BY MATT ASHARE

The Stones’ three singles box sets are truly a luxury. After all, each offers nearly a dozen discs with only two tracks each. Just like old 45s. It’s cool, but if you’re looking to cherrypick rarities like Mick’s "Memo from Turner" and Brian’s psychedelic "Child of the Moon," iTunes is a pretty good option. And don’t forget, back in August, the Stones’ Singles Collection: The London Years — one of the first ever box sets, back when they were on vinyl — was reissued as a four-CD box.

"Memo from Turner"

ABKCO

Keith once said he stopped playing slide because he realized he wasn’t that good at it. This tune may be why. With Mick doing his best Bob Dylan impersonation, Ry Cooder gives a slide-guitar clinic that dominates this oft-overlooked gem.

"Child of the Moon"

ABKCO

Granted, the Stones’ psychedelic era wasn’t a high point. But this B-side, with Mick and Keith doing their best Everly harmonies and a descending-chorus hook, is one of the great exceptions, silly trumpet embellishments and all.

"The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man"

ABKCO

Everyone knows that the immortal riff to "Satisfaction" came to Keith in his sleep. It appears the band had so much confidence in the tune that they didn’t bother writing anything of consequence for B-sides. Yeah, Mick sounds nasty slinging darts at the poor promo guy as the boys vamp on a blues, but there ain’t much meat on these bones. A great little novelty that’s just a hair’s breadth better than "The Spider and the Fly," the British single’s B-side.

"Sad Day"

ABKCO

Don’t be surprised if "Sad Day" doesn’t ring a bell. A brilliantly bad throw-away B-side, it didn’t reappear in print until the Stones first compiled the complete singles set. It would seem Mick didn’t have much in the tank after penning the A-side, "19th Nervous Breakdown."