"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!
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