"Steel Wheels" by THE ROLLING STONES – August 1989 Studio Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Chuck Leavell, Sarah Dash and Lisa Fischer, Matt Clifford, Phil Beer and more (June 2009 UK Polydor/Rolling Stones CD Reissue with Stephen Marcussen Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Go For The Throat..."

 

"Your not the only one with mixed emotions...your not the only boat on the ocean..." Jagger roared on "Mixed Emotions" and my God was that true.

 

Not having had an album since the hugely derided and absolute career low-point "Dirty Work" in March 1986 - a full three years prior - many had thought that The Glimmer Twins were finished as a functioning band. But the brand and band 'The Rolling Stones' was bigger than all of their internal squabbles.

 

So with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards having gotten their solo-album itch out of their systems/scratched ("She's The Boss" in March 1985 for MJ and "Talk Is Cheap" in October 1988 for KR) - it was time to get back to business. Besides neither of their solo efforts were noticeably 'Rolling Stones' records - where one minute into the sheer Punk attitude and wild Keith Richards/Ron Wood 'Some Girls' guitar attack of "Hold On To Your Hat" and this is undeniably the swagger they were famous for - starling and even slightly dangerous for men of their vintage.

 

For most of us diehards, August 1989's "Steel Wheels" was a return to form and along with the decade's beginner "Tattoo You" in August 1981 - the only other album where almost all of it could be considered to be Classic Stones. Well produced, the twin guitar attacks up front, actually hearing Charlie Watts whacking his kit alongside girly backing vocals upping the choruses - it felt coherent and like they were out to prove a point. Hell, even the Keith Richards illicit attraction got-a-chill-with-you moment in "Can't Be Seen" (over on Side 2) is damn good (great geetar too). Which brings us the 2009 Polydor Remasters Series - all of which come in distinctive round-corner 'Super Jewel Cases'. Let's get to the Mixed Emotions...

 

UK released June 2009 - "Steel Wheels" by THE ROLLING STONES on Rolling Stones Records / Polydor 0620527015675 (Barcode 620527015675) is a Straightforward CD Reissue and Remaster (without Bonuses) of their 1989 LP that plays out as follows (53:03 minutes):

 

1. Sad Sad Sad [Side 1]

2. Mixed Emotions

3. Terrifying

4. Hold On To Your Hat

5. Hearts For Sale

6. Blinded By Love

7. Rock And A Hard Place [Side 2]

8. Can't Be Seen

9. Almost Hear You Sigh

10. Continental Drift

11. Break The Spell

12. Slipping Away

 Tracks 1 to 12 are their 19th British Album (21st USA) "Steel Wheels" - released 28 August 1989 on Rolling Stones Records 4657521 and 29 August 1989 in the UK on Rolling Stones Records/CBS Records 45333. Produced by THE GLIMMER TWINS (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards) - it peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 3 in the USA.

 

THE ROLLING STONES were:

Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano and Harmonica), Keith Richard (Lead and Rhythm Guitar - Lead Vocals on Track 8), Ron Wood (Lead and Rhythm Guitar), Bill Wyman (Bass) and Charlie Watts (Drums)

GUESTS included:

Chuck Leavell - Piano and Organ (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 10)

Matt Clifford - Keyboards (Tracks 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12)

Phil Beer - Violin and Mandolin (Track 6)

The Master Magicians of Jajouka - African Instruments (Track 10)

The Kick Horns - Brass and Woodwinds (Tracks 1, 2, 7, 12)

Roddy Corimer - Trumpet (Track 3)

Luis Jardim - Percussion (Tracks 2, 6)

Sarah Dash and Lisa Fisher - Backing Vocals (Tracks 2, 7, 9, 10, 12)

Lisa Fisher only - Backing Vocals (Track 3)

Sinia Morgan and Tessa Niles - Backing Vocals (Track 10)

Bernard Fowler - Backing Vocals (Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

 

The 'Super Jewel Case' looks nice as does the 'The Rolling Stones Remasters' Series Advert on the front, but the booklet is the same as the original release - an 8-page inlay with lyrics, musician credits and nowt else - damn shame. The big news however is a seriously muscular Remaster by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN that lifts an already well-produced album up by the bootstraps.

 

But as any fan will know who bought the CD singles in 1989 and 1990, we must mention what is NOT here. Three of those singles - "Rock And A Hard Place", "Mixed Emotions" and "Terrifying" had truly cool bluesy gems on their B-sides. 

 

"Cook Cook Blues", "Fancyman Blues" and the Howlin Wolf guitar-stylee "Wish I'd Never Met You" are wickedly good and had these been added as Bonuses (which they should have been) - I would have given this re-release five stars. I would suggest those curious for more, check out the 2005 Virgin CD compilation "Rarities 1971-2003" which has the second and third mentioned above along with other killer cuts including a corridors rehearsals/stadium live version composite of "Tumbling Dice" from the Voodoo Lounge 1995 period that is fantastic. That compilation also has the superbly Extended 12" Single Version of "Mixed Emotions" (from "Steel Wheels") done by Chris Kimsey (more muscle on the guitars, vocals, horns, piano – everything) which again could have been ace bonus material. But alas...back to the audio we do have for "Steel Wheel"...

 

This beast 'rawks' as they say in the vernacular - even the weird Middle Eastern/African Rhythms to "Continental Drift" over on Side 2 where The Stones attempt a Led Zeppelin 'No Quarter' moment of World Music meets Rock - sounds HUGE. The beauty in "Almost Hear You Sigh" is amazing - Charlie's drum whacks that open it - that lovely strummed guitar doubled with acoustic - both Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford on complimentary keys - the five-strong chorus of voices (Richards, Woods and guests Bernard Folwer, Sarah Dash and Lisa Fischer) - the effect is huge, clear and moving.

 

The album's singles were obvious - catchy choruses in "Mixed Emotions", "Rock And A Hard Place", "Terrifying" and "Almost Hear You Say" - the most Radio-friendly Stones moments on the new album. But I love the wailing Harmonica and Guitar chug of "Break The Spell" and the beefcake 'we're back!' opener "Sad Sad Sad" - a vicious little "Exile On Main St." moment if ever there was one. And Keith returns for a second time on the album to provide the mellow finisher - "Slipping Away" - something would delight audiences on their myriad concert albums.

 

The inevitable live set followed in April 1991 "Flashpoint" - but it would not be until July 1994's "Voodoo Lounge" that any Stones fan took any real notice again. So there you have it - a 4-star album given a 5-star sound with a 3-star presentation. How very Rolling Stones!

"Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES – August 1981 Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Ian Stewart, Billy Preston, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Keyes, Nicky Hopkins, Chris Kimsey, Wayne Perkins, Pete Townshend, Ollie Brown, Jimmy Miller and Simon Kirke (October 2021 UK Rolling Stones/Polydor Deluxe Edition 2CD Reissue with New 2021 Stephen Marcussen and Stewart Whitmore Remasters and a Bonus 9-Track Disc of Lost & Found: Rarities) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

"...I Can Hear The People Talking...Troubles A' Comin...In More Ways Than One..."

 

May 1994 with Virgin, June 2009 with Polydor and now October 2021 on Polydor/Rolling Stones Records – yet again.

 

Weary strolling bones fans like moi have been down this endless reissue road before with our fave hornary reprobates and besties THE ROLLING STONES. But this time it is better – way better – and on an album I have adored for over 40 years – slapped together compilation or no. Some info first...

 

As you've no doubt already read - "Tattoo You" was a ragbag of outtakes from previous albums with a few new tunes thrown in - Rockers on the A-side with Ballads on the B. The material stretched back as far as late 1972 and the Exile period – through Some Girls in 1978 and on to new 1981 stuff before it was worldwide released in August of that year (not that the original record ever told you any of that). And it worked - I played "Tattoo You" to death on release - loved it to pieces - especially the shockingly soulful Side 2. To CDs...

 

The 1994 and 2009 1CD variants of "Tattoo You" clocked in at 44:26 minutes – this 2021 new Remaster by the same team of STEPHEN MARCUSSEN and STEWART WHITMORE – transfers done at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California – clocks in at 44:34 minutes, so is a few seconds longer. And again WOW is the only appropriate response. It is no understatement to say that this sucker ROCKS – there are even times when the clarity is overwhelming for an old fart like me so used to hearing older slightly muddied versions. Disc 2 on the Deluxe Version is called "Lost & Found: Rarities" and offers us 9 new tracks, outtakes and alternate versions including a Reggae-fied take on "Start Me Up" (CD2 clocks in at 39:18 minutes). Personally – and like Disc 2 of the "Goats Head Soup" Deluxe Edition – has been in my player for months. The packaging of the 2CD Deluxe Edition once again lets the side down and is not much to write home about (although the new Jeff Slate liner notes explain things well, especially with regard to the rare stuff) – but the sonic goods are there in spades. To the friends we have been waiting for...

 

UK released 22 October 2021 - "Tattoo You" by THE ROLLING STONES on Rolling Stones/Polydor 383 494-1 (Barcode 602438349418) is a 'Deluxe Edition' 2CD Reissue and New Remaster and plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Tattoo You" (44:34 minutes):

Side 1

1. Start Me Up [begun in 1975 during "Black And Blue" sessions, returned to in November 1977 as a "Some Girls" possible]

2. Hang Fire ["Some Girls" outtake returned to in 1979 for lyrics, features IAN STEWART on Piano]

3. Slave [This is an Extended Version - see PS below]

4. Little T&A [Lead Vocals and Bass by Keith Richards, Ian Stewart on Piano - T&A is street slang for certain parts of a woman's anatomy]

5. Black Limousine [the only track on the album co-credited to RONNIE WOOD, it features Mick Jagger on Lead Vocals and Harmonica with Ian Stewart on Piano - backing track dated as far back as "Exile" in 1972]

6. Neighbours [features' both' the legendary SONNY ROLLINS and BOBBY KEYES on Saxophones]

Side 2

7. Worried About You [features BILLY PRESTON on Piano, WAYNE PERKINS on Lead Guitar and SOLO and OLLIE BROWN on Percussion]

8. Tops [features MICK TAYLOR on Guitar with NICKY HOPKINS on Piano; a Mick Taylor "Exile" outtake - wasn't given a writers credit - sued and won]

9. Heaven [co-producer CHRIS KIMSEY plays Piano on this]

10. No Use In Crying [features Nicky Hopkins on Piano]

11. Waiting On A Friend [features Mick Taylor on Guitar, Sonny Rollins on Saxophone and JIMMY MILLER of "Sticky" fame on Percussion]

 

CD2 "Lost & Found: Rarities" (39:18 minutes):

1. Living In The Heart Of Love (4:13 minutes)

[Begun in the Musicland Studio sessions for the 1974 "It’s Only Rock 'N Roll" LP – features Nicky Hopkins on Piano and Backing Vocals from Keith Richards]

2. Fiji Jam (4:00 minutes)

[Begun and recorded in Paris for the 1978 "Some Girls" LP, features Ian Stewart on Piano with Mick Jagger on Acoustic Guitar]

3. Troubles A’ Coming (4:16 minutes)

[Begun in 1979 in Paris for the 1979 "Emotional Rescue" LP, it is the first of three cover versions on CD2. Originally written by Eugene Record of The Chi-Lites in 1970 and found on their "I Like Your Lovin' (Do You Like Mine)?" on Brunswick Records. There appears to be no recording info as to who plays on it]

4. Shame, Shame, Shame (4:13 minutes)

[Second cover version on CD2, originally a Jimmy Reed R&B classic from 1963 on Vee Jay Records, it features Ian Stewart on Piano with Mick Jagger on Harmonica]

5. Drift Away (4:06 minutes)

[Third and final cover version on CD2, originally a Dobie Gray US Soul and R&B hit in 1973 on Decca Records 33057, it features Nicky Hopkins on Piano with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards n Backing Vocals]

6. It’s A Lie (4:57 minutes)

[Begun during the 1978 "Some Girls" sessions as an instrumental, lyrics were added by Mick Jagger decades later – features Harmonica by Sugar Blue and Ian Stewart on Piano]

7. Come To The Ball (3:40 minutes)

[Begun as "Windfall" during the late 1972 Jamaica sessions for the 1973 LP "Goats Head Soup", further overdubs took place in Los Angeles in 1973 but was shelved until completion now – features Mick Taylor on Guitar with Nicky Hopkins on Piano]

8. Fast Talking, Slow Walking (5:40 minutes)

[Started in 1972, but recorded 1973 at Musicland Studios in Munich for the 1974 LP "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" – features Mick Taylor on Guitar and Billy Preston on Piano]

9. Start Me Up (Early Version) (4:10 minutes)

[The original version was meant to be this take – a more Reggae groove – but Engineer Chris Kimsey ignored Keith Richards who commanded that the Rock version that is used as the opening track on the LP be wiped permanently. He didn’t and thus the Rock Version prevailed]

 

As ever, the three-way foldout gatefold card sleeve is a mixture of good, bad and just lazy. The lyrics are not here again – the three internal flaps are all close-ups of the red and black tattoos when they could have shown picture sleeves from all over the world. The 20-page booklet offers the fur boot inner sleeve photo alongside a few period shots that are new and excellent new liner notes from band expert JEFF SLATE. Jeff gives us a song-by-song history and the detailed reissue credits pages squash in who played on what – guests like Ian Stewart, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins and Chris Kimsey all on Keyboards, Sonny Rollins and Bobby Keyes on Horns, Wayne Perkins of Smith-Perkins-Smith and Crimson Tide on Guitar, Pete Townshend of The Who on Backing Vocals (Slave), Jennifer and Susan McLean on Backing Vocals, Ollie Brown on Percussion, Simon Kirke of Bad Company on Drums. It’s a good stab but not something worth writing home about and it is ridiculous that you cannot read the song titles on the rear so the text can match the artwork (you will get more from my list above). Still the new Audio is magnificent.

 

October 2021 sees "Tattoo You" receive multiple formats too – the single CD variant in a standard jewel case is Rolling Stones/Polydor 382 846-0 (Barcode 602438284603), there is an LP Picture Disc and the obligatory Super Deluxe Edition 4-Disc Box Set too which adds two live CDs onto the 2 studio sets from the DE version I’m reviewing.

 

The clarity of the guitar solo on "Slave" is awesome as is the swirling magic of "Heaven", but best of all is the beautiful axework by Wayne Perkins on the Side 2 opener "Worried About You". I think it's the best guitar solo on a Stones album anywhere and its clarity now is fabulous. Absolutely loving the so Some Girls snotty vibe in "Fiji Jim" and his Internet Age updating of the lyrics in the seriously catchy "It's A Lie". The three covers are very cool – R&B prevailing for Jimmy Reed and his "Shame, Shame, Shame" (grungy guitar and Jagger on Harmonica) but a great Soulful vocal for "Drift Away". It is hard to believe that the not-so-good Reggae Version of "Start Me Up" was seriously considered initially as the only version worth using - what a mistake that would have been (well done Chris).

 

To sum up - I know the packaging and presentation leave a lot to be desired, but as I listen to the lovely Piano tinkering of Nicky Hopkins on "No Use In Crying" and the three lads harmonizing on Backing Vocals - I don't care - I love it. The sound is wonderful and a major improvement over what went before. The buggering truth is that once you hear these huge remasters, you're screwed - and true Stones nuts will absolutely have to own the old/new stuff.

 

Despite niggles - it's recommended for the great new audio and the music - the last Stones album where I played all of it...

 

PS: There's an anomaly worth noting re the track "Slave"...

 

When "Tattoo You" was originally released on Vinyl and Cassette in August 1981 (Rolling Stones CUNS 39114 in the UK and COC 16052 in the USA) - the 3rd track on Side 1 "Slave" clocked in at about 3:20 minutes on the UK LP and 4:59 minutes on the US variant. So when the first ever CD version of it came out in 1983 in Japan and on CBS Records UK in late 1986, it reflected the American timing of 4:59 minutes and stayed that way for years.

 

However the May 1994 Virgin Remaster put out an anomaly without telling anyone - that CD version of "Slave" was inexplicably extended to 6:31 minutes. The error was repeated on the Polydor version of June 2009 and is again here for October 2021 in the latest round of reissues. And it is very much a benefit to fans because the Extended Version of "Slave" is sensational. With the legendary Sonny Rollins playing on Saxophone and Billy Preston on Funky Keyboards, the lengthy mix now sounds like "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" Part 2 from "Sticky Fingers". A huge chunky guitar riff throughout, great Jagger vocals, Sax wailing - it absolutely rocks (apparently there's a version with the late great Jeff Beck on guitar in the can somewhere too).

 

What should have happened here of course is that the original LP timing be used on this CD - with both the Jeff Beck mix and the Extended Version put on as bonus tracks at the end, but that's for another day and another reissue that will probably never happen...

"Black And Blue" by THE ROLLING STONES – April 1976 UK and US Album on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins on Guitars, Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins on Keyboards and Backing Vocals with Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion (June 1994 UK Virgin CD Remaster by Bob Ludwig vs. May 2009 Polydor CD Remaster by Stephen Marcussen) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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If it weren't for the abomination that is their cover version of Eric Donaldson's Reggae song "Cherry Oh Baby" on Side 1 (a serious pet hate for me in the entirety of their formidable catalogue) - I would actually consider April 1976's "Black And Blue" to be as close to perfect a Rolling Stones 70ts album as you can get. 

For sure it's not the mighty "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" or "Exile On Main St." - but then what is. But "Black And Blue" is an album that had taken the Funk and Soul influences that had crept into 1973's "Goats Head Soup" and even elements of 1974's "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" and given it full flourish. Stuff like "Hey Negrita" and "Hot Stuff" were a revelation to me when I heard them first - the Stones smartly catching the Funk, Soul and Jazz Funk vibes of the time and stretching their sound out to accommodate them. And "Melody" had a sass and sway about it too. But white boys doing Reggae never did quite work for me outside of say the Ska rhythms of Two Tone that would come at the end of that fantastic decade. 

Plus the non-crammed vinyl record sounded 'brilliant' - produced like a kicking mule - which is not something you could ever have accused "Goat's Head Soup" of. And I thought the ballad "Fool To Cry" to be magical (and still do). But what CD variant of this 8-track genre-melt do you buy? 

1. Hot Stuff [Side 1]
2. Hand Of Fate 
3. Cherry Oh Baby 
4. Memory Hotel
5. Hey Negrita [Side 2]
6. Melody 
7. Fool To Cry
8. Crazy Mama 
Tracks 1 to 8 are their album "Black And Blue" – released 20 April 1976 in the UK and USA on Rolling Stones Records COC 59106 and COC 79104 respectively. Produced by The Glimmer Twins – it peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 2 in the UK. 

Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts - were joined by Guests included guitarists Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins with Keyboardist and Vocalist Billy Preston, Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart with Ollie Brown on Percussion.

There are maybe four or even five remasters in total, but two I think worth it and easy to access. The first is the 1999 Virgin issue and the second – he more commonly available 2009 Polydor variant. 

June 1994 saw two reissues using the UK original master tapes – the Standard CD Edition on Virgin CDV 2736 (Barcode 724383952021) and a Collector’s Edition on Virgin CDVX 2736 (Barcode 724383949922) issued in a stickered outer plastic slipcase with Original Album Packaging repro’d in Mini LP form on the inside – the 1976 gatefold and its track-by-track credits inner sleeve (41:25 minutes). Renowned Audio Engineer BOB LUDWIG carried out the Remaster at Gateway Mastering using the UV22 Super CD Encoding Process (created by Apogee Electronics in California). 

The second came with the May 2009 Remaster on Polydor/Rolling Stones Records 0602527015613 (Barcode 602527015613) housed in a Super Jewel Case with a CD booklet. Part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series (all done by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN), it plays to 41:21 minutes, has a Lips Sticker on the case and there is no Collector’s Edition. 

The Virgin issues are both deleted and not surprisingly the Collector’s Edition garnishes a cost – none too unreasonable though as it regularly sells for somewhere between twelve and sixteen UK pounds. The Polydor issues (part of The Rolling Stones Remasters Series) have sold for as little as a fiver or somewhere below seven quid and are easily available. Japan has weighed in with SACD issues, Flat Transfer SHM-CD and Platinum SHM-CDs in presentation boxes and on it goes (I hated the Platinum variant of Sticky Fingers that used a flat transfer so I avoided the rest). 

The Virgin issue has extraordinary vitality – the rhythms and flicks and vocals shouts leaping out of your speakers. As guest guitarist Harvey Mandel takes the sole Lead Guitar on the Side 1 opener "Hot Stuff" (a young virtuoso, he had played slide with Blues artists like Canned Heat and Charlie Musselwhite before starting a solo career in 1968) – the power is undeniably huge. He flicks sexy rhythms as a back beat then overlaying that with funky Jeff Beck Blow By Blow moments. Jagger sings he can't get enough and neither can I. Back to proper Stones fare with the superb "Hand Of Fate" - Keith back at the guitar reins with help from Manassas whizz-kid Wayne Perkins on the solo (a stunner). I love this kind of Stones swagger (watched him die, watch out boy) - they seem to make something out of nothing and it somehow comes up peaches and cream. 

Long-time sessionman Nicky Hopkins provides the keyboards for "Cherry Oh Baby" but I quickly skip to the oddly touching "Memory Hotel" - it's seven-minutes and ten seconds feeling epic in all the best Stones way. Billy Preston plays String Synthesizer; Wayne Perkins plays Acoustic with Harvey Mandel on Electric - while Billy, Keith, Ronnie Wood and Mick all provide backing vocals. Sang a song to me - Jagger remembers - stuck right in my brain. I also love that 'she got a mind of her own and she uses it well...' off the cuff line from Keith as a counter melody. The audio is superb. Used to mean so much to me – it still does. 

The sloppy Joe signature sound of Ronnie Wood combined with Keef gives the fantastic "Hey Negrita" (apparently a nickname for Jagger's wife) - Billy Preston dropping in those off-the-cuff piano fills that just so work. Stevie Wonder's percussionist Ollie Brown is in their too shuffling with Charlie Watts. But its Wood who slots in like a glove - catching the groove - as Jagger hollers just a momentita - one last dollar - then we go - fantastic stuff. Mick Jagger is credited with 'foot stomp' on the jazzy New Orleans sleaze that is the Saturday Night of "Melody" - Arif Mardin arranging a genius horn section towards the finish while Billy Preston slips in superb second vocals. 

We race to the finish with a double-whammy of greatness that puts the album up there for me - the poor-me tear-fest "Fool To Cry" and the boozy riffage of "Crazy Mama". Even today, I can still recall the chills that went up my arms when I first heard "Fool To Cry" - the Nicky Hopkins and Mick Jagger synth and piano combo - its words nailing me to some lonesome mast or other - the Stones are like that. The ball and chain sawn-off shotgun pound of "Crazy Mama" is still a mule kicker and easily as good as say "Start Me Up" – just not as famous.

The 2009 Polydor Remaster (which I also own) is fantastically clear and fulsome, but somehow there's a softer naturality to the 1994 version that keeps bringing me back to it. But if you are on a budget, either will do in truth. 

"Black And Blue" is a great Seventies Stones album for me. "It makes me wonder why...daddy you're a fool to cry..." Well, I don't care if I do look like a nit after all these decades of Glimmer Twins & Co worship, because this is one I want to cry about...

"It's Only Rock 'N Roll" by THE ROLLING STONES – October 1974 UK and USA LP on Rolling Stones Records featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts with Guests Billy Preston, Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins, Blue Magic, Ray Cooper, Willie Weeks and Kenny Jones (August 1994 Virgin CD Remaster vs. May 2009 Polydor CD Remaster – Bob Ludwig and Stephen Marcussen Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

1994 Virgin CD Reissue and Remaster - Standard Edition in Jewel Case

Collector's Edition with Original Album Packaging

"...If You Want To Be My Friend..."

Following the artistic studio-album high of "Beggars Banquet" (1968), "Let It Bleed" (1969), "Sticky Fingers" (1971) and the double "Exile On Main St" (1972) with a cool live set thrown in for our delectations in 1970 - "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" - common knowledge has it that the Stones brought this astonishing run of Rock-cool to a shuddering halt (or at least stalled it a tad) with the decidedly half-assed "Goat's Head Soup" in 1973 and "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" in 1974. Drugs, excess, failing marriages, tax exiles – by the mid Seventies I suppose it was a minor miracle that any of them were still breathing/corpus mentis let alone popping out masterpieces for baying maidens.

But like me - and I suspect this is the case across the world - despite the obvious weaknesses of 1973's and 1974's studio efforts – I remember at the time thinking even half-baked Stones was better than most everyone else. And in a way, we strolling bones lovers had held a penny candle for these two runts ever since – some even citing them as faves over their more lauded work. But for this review, I want to talk about sound…

While "Goat's Head Soup" had always felt like an audio let down of epic proportions - October 1974's "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" saw the Glimmer Twins take the Production controls once again and it rawked. The CD reissues have been the same - the two principal choices for Stones nuts being either 1994 on Virgin vs. 2009 on Polydor - and I'd argue that both astonish in the Audio Remaster battle. "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" is an LP that is transformed by digital - lifted up and given a power far greater than the original single sleeve LP we all owned for years. Be my friend, it's time you were. Let's get to the Fingerprint Files...

1. If You Can't Rock Me [Side 1]

2. Ain't Too Proud To Beg

3. It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It)

4. Till The Next Goodbye

5. Time Waits For No One

6. Luxury [Side 2]

7. Dance Little Sister

8. If You Really Want To Be My Friend

9. Short And Curlies

10. Fingerprint File

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" - released 18 October 1974 in the UK on Rolling Stones Records COC 59103 and in the USA (same date) on Rolling Stones Records COC 79101. Produced by MICK JAGGER and KEITH RICHARDS - it peaked at No. 1 in the USA and No. 2 in the UK. All songs were written by Jagger/Richards - except "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" - a cover version of the Temptations classic originally written by Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland.

MICK JAGGER - Vocals and Guitar

KEITH RICHARDS - Lead Guitars, Vocals and Bass

MICK TAYLOR - Lead Guitars Vocals, Synthesizer, Congas and Bass

BILL WYMAN - Bass and Synthesizer

CHARLIE WATTS - Drums and Synthesizer

Guests:

Billy Preston - Piano and Clavinet on Tracks 1, 2 and 10

Nicky Hopkins - Piano on Tracks 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10

Ian Stewart - Piano on Tracks 3, 7 and 9

Ray Cooper - Percussion

Blue Magic - Backing Vocals on Track 8

Charlie Jolly - Table on Track 10

Ed Leach - Cowbell on Track 2

Willy Weeks (Bass) and Kenny Jones of Small Faces and The Who - Drums on Track 3

The 15 August 1994 CD Reissue and Remaster by BOB LUDWIG on Virgin comes in two forms - the standard issue on Virgin/Rolling Stones Records CDV 2733 - 7243-839522-2-9 (Barcode 724383952229) has a standard jewel case with 4-page inlay - while the limited edition 'Collector's Edition-Original Album Packaging' variant uses mini LP repro artwork (cover and inner sleeve) in a special stickered outer jewel case on Virgin/Rolling Stones Records CDVX 2733 - 7243-8-39500-2-7 (Barcode 724383950027).

The UV99 Super CD Encoding Process by Apogee Electronics in California promised uber realistic transfers from the original tapes – and in the case of the 4 May 2009 Polydor Remasters by STEPHEN MARCUSSEN on Polydor 0602527015590 (Barcode 602527015590) – you got the same (issued in a stickered round-cornered Super Jewel Case). I have both and the AUDIO is a wow (48:26 minutes).

Polydor 2009 Reissue and Remaster in Rounded Super Jewel Case

Artwork-wise, all of these IORNR reissues are a little bit of a joke – typical cheap-assed Stones – a gatefold inlay that repro’s the original inner sleeve with barely readable details. No new liner notes – zip. Is it any wonder I’ve seen copies online for under a pound. Better is the audio and the music...

Long-time pal of the Beatles and The Stones - Billy Preston - gives it some Clavinet underpinning on the lyrically vicious "If You Can't Rock Me" that opens Side 1 - Jagger screaming "I've got a hard and it hurts like hell, if you can't rock me, find someone who will..." Girls with bright blue hair successfully tempting our Michael away from his dissolving marriage to Bianca - the drums and guitars in yer ya-ya's face throughout. Not for the first time do The Stones reach for The Temptations back catalogue - their version of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" became an American-only 45 that punching the top 20 to settle at No. 17. The guitars, chunky riffs and Billy Preston's piano - all amazingly clear and full of muscle. Having listening to the LP cut and that ever so-slightly muffled 45 for all those years - the acoustic/electric guitars combo of the title track "It's Only Rock 'N Roll (But I Like It)" is likely to shock many. And its a brilliant single - remember that soap suds video that eased your brain. But then Side 1 gives us two gems I've always loved - the coffee shop down on 52nd Street acoustic ballad "Till The Next Goodbye" - gorgeous audio as those Mick Taylor guitar touches come melting into the mix. And have they been so beguiling as on the star-crossed "Time Waits For No One" - won't wait for me - well this is waiting for you - as is Mick Taylor's fantastic guitar parts (beautifully clear).

Side 2's "Luxury" had a playing time on my original LP of about 4:30 minutes, here this CD cut is 5:01 minutes - longer in the fade out. $20 me (making a million dollars for Texans) working so hard for the company, to keep you in luxury - go the lyrics in this Reggae-Rock chugger. Rolling Stones Records put "Dance Little Sister" on the B-side of the US 45 for "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" (October 1974 on Rolling Stones 19302) and were rewarded with as many radio plays as the A-side received - and again those drums and guitars kicking out of your speakers. The Atlantic Records Soul Band BLUE MAGIC of "Sideshow" fame adds subtle but deep backing vocals to "If You Really Want To Be My Friend" - a plea for understanding and not jealousy. The short and snotty got you by the ….s rocker "Short And Curlies" apparently started life sometime around the Exile sessions and was obviously press-ganged into Rock 'n' Roll service to fill out Side 2.

But Audio Blast numero-uno belongs to the fantastic menace of "Fingerprint File" - Jagger clearly sick of the press and government hounding he and everyone around him was getting. Some little jerk in the FBI keeping papers on him six feet high - gets him down. Well the stunning audio won't.

1974's "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" may not be a mountain of a record and it would be two years to "Black And Blue" in 1976 - another underrated winner for me in their sexy Seventies catalogue. But I'd say go for it. And the standard variant of IORNR can be picked up for under a fiver in the right places (and sometimes a lot less).

Who's listening - whose taking pictures by the ultra-violet light - methinks it should be you. Good night-sleep tight. Love it...