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04/10/2007

More on Mick Jagger - must-listen musician for grown-ups

Yesterday’s praise for The Very Best Of Mick Jagger, the new compilation CD/DVD, prompted requests for more – about the new album and the solo work on which it's based.

The Very Best Of Mick Jagger is a 17-track CD, plus a 10-track DVD. The audio CD fillets the four Jagger studio albums – two tracks from She's the Boss (1985), one from Primitive Cool (1987), four from Wandering Spirit (1993), and three from the most recent, Goddess In The Doorway (2002). It also has a song each from the film soundtracks of Performance and the Alfie remake. Two duets – the hit singles recorded with Davis Bowie and Peter Tosh – and three unreleased tracks complete a well-rounded collection.

The DVD has a generous 35 minute interview with the main man, as well as nine delicious songs on film. The detailed, revelatory liner notes are a bonus.

So the new release is a firm favourite in this parish, successfully placing Jagger near the top of the poprock heap.

What about the original albums? She's the Boss, Primitive Cool, Wandering Spirit, and Goddess In The Doorway all merit the serious attention of those who realised long ago that the Jagger-led Stones are rather more than mere entertainers.

Media reaction to Jagger releases usually includes a fair bit of critical smirking: the Jagger-baiting press delights in reporting disappointing sales. Some of the criticisms are valid: Jagger's subject matter can be iffy; his solo writing can veer between razor sharp and embarrassing; and the albums' production values occasionally strain credibility.

And yet... and yet... there's some fine music in these CDs. Much of it puts me in mind of Goats Head Soup, and the best of the later (post-Black and Blue) Stones.

Mick Jagger's solo albums position him as a must-listen musician for grown-ups.

Gerry Smith

Tracklists:

She's The Boss:
1. Lonely at the Top (Jagger/Richards) - 3:45
2. Half A Loaf (Jagger) - 4:58
3. Running Out of Luck (Jagger) - 4:15
4. Turn the Girl Loose (Jagger) - 3:52
5. Hard Woman (Jagger) - 4:23
6. Just Another Night (Jagger- 5:13
7. Lucky in Love (Alomar/Jagger) - 6:13
8. Secrets (Jagger) - 5:01
9. She's the Boss (Alomar/Jagger) - 5:14

Uses contributions from Herbie Hancock, Pete Townshend, and Jeff Beck.

Primitive Cool:
1. Throwaway (Jagger) - 5:03
2. Let's Work (Jagger/Stewart) - 4:50
3. Radio Control (Jagger) - 3:56
4. Say You Will (Jagger/Stewart) - 5:07
5. Primitive Cool (Jagger) - 5:50
6. Kow Tow (Jagger/Stewart) - 4:54
7. Shoot off Your Mouth (Jagger) - 3:34
8. Peace for the Wicked (Jagger) - 4:03
9. Party Doll (Jagger) - 5:19
10.War Baby (Jagger) - 6:39

Produced by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). Unfairly slammed: my favourite.

Wandering Spirit:
1. Wired All Night (Jagger) - 4:05
2. Sweet Thing (Jagger) - 4:34
3. Out of Focus (Jagger) - 4:31
4. Don't Tear Me Up (Jagger) - 4:10
5. Put Me in the Trash (Jagger/Rip) - 3:34
6. Use Me (Withers) - 4:25
7. Evening Gown (Jagger) - 3:34
8. Mother of a Man (Jagger) - 4:17
9. Think (Pauling) - 2:58
10.Wandering Spirit (Jagger/Rip) - 4:16
11.Hang on to Me Tonight (Jagger) - 4:34
12.I've Been Lonely for So Long (Knight/Weaver) - 3:26
13.Angel in My Heart (Jagger) - 3:21
14.Handsome Molly - 2:03

Generally regarded as Jagger's best solo album. Good choice of producer (Rick Rubin). Includes the delicious tenor sax of Courtney Pine.

Goddess in the Doorway:
1. Visions of Paradise (Clifford/Jagger/Thomas) - 4:01;
2. Joy (Jagger) - 4:40;
3. Dancing in the Starlight (Clifford/Jagger) - 4:06;
4. God Gave Me Everything (Jagger/Kravitz) - 3:34;
5. Hide Away (Jagger) - 4:33;
6. Don't Call Me Up (Jagger) - 5:14;
7. Goddess in the Doorway (Clifford/Jagger) - 4:56;
8. Lucky Day (Jagger) - 4:51;
9. Everybody Getting High (Jagger) - 3:56;
10. Gun (Clifford/Jagger) - 4:41;
11. Too Far Gone (Jagger)- 4:35 ;
12. Brand New Set of Rules (Jagger) - 7:39

A mixed album; some found it disappointing. Has some strong tracks.

Gerry Smith

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