Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) is The Rolling Stones second official compilation album, this album was released in 1969 shortly following the Brian Jone's departure from the group and his death. The album was released by Decca Records in the UK and London/ABKCO Records in the US.
In September, Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2), dedicated to Jones, appeared with an octagonal-shaped cover. There was a difference in the songs included on the UK version and the US version: The British version included the more obscure You Better Move On from The Rolling Stones self titled 1964 debut EP and Sittin' on a Fences which was an Aftermath outtake originally released in 1967 on the US compiled Flowers album.
Interestingly both versions of this album saw great success with both versions reaching #2 in the UK and the US.
The name of the album is a play on a line from the KJV translation of 1 Corintians 13: "For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face" but it is rumored that the Stones intended a homage to Ingmar Bergman and his 1961 film Through a Glass Darkly.
In the inside flap of the album, there is an anonymous poem chosen by Jones, which reads: "When this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind. Let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find."
On this album are the following songs: Honky Tonk Women; Ruby Tuesday; Jumpin' Jack Flash; Paint It, Black; Street Fighting Man; Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In the Shadow?; Let's Spend The Night Together; 2000 Light Years From Home; Mother's Little Helper; She's A Rainbow and Dandelion.
This album sounds very good and it is rated in VG condition.