Label: Atlantic/Rhino
Released: October 2, 2007
Don’t miss the opportunity to win a copy of this CD. See the bottom of this review for details.
Other than a song here and there, the Rolling Stones haven’t done anything worthwhile since 1972’s Exile on Main Street (don’t whine to me about Some Girls or Tattoo You, either). Their last album, seen as a return to form by many, was merely the Stones as a cover band of themselves 35+ years earlier. In some ways, it was their most pathetic album, because it showed them trying to be who they once were, as if the passage of time had no effect. The problem with the Stones isn’t that Mick and Keith don’t have anything left to offer, just that they aren’t the Stones anymore and they fail when they try to be. That’s why both have been able to release some fantastic solo material during a period when the they’ve embarrassed themselves in the band.
The Very Best of Mick Jagger collects a number of his songs from his solo albums over the last 22 years. It glosses over She’s the Boss and Primitive Cool, drawing only three of its 17 tracks from those two albums. Mick’s stronger material from 1993’s Rick Rubin-produced Wandering Spirit and 2001’s excellent Goddess in the Doorway, two albums that show a definite evolution from the drugs and sex and rock and roll stupidity of his youth, account for seven tracks. Now the math doesn’t add up there, does it? That’s a good thing, because the remaining seven tracks are either unreleased or likely absent from many people’s collections.
Three songs are new to our ears although not newly recorded. “Charmed Life” (recorded in 1992) sounds more like it was recorded in 1979 with the inspiration of Queen’s successful foray into disco. The same year gives us “Checkin’ Up With My Baby,” a Sonny Boy Williamson blues number. From all the way back in 1973 comes “To Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup),” a soul number featuring Al Kooper and Jack Bruce and produced by John Lennon. Two others come from soundtracks. “Old Habits Die Hard” from Alfie (2004) is an emotional ballad with Dave Stewart that finds Mick in his best voice. “Memo from Turner,” from 1970’s Performance, is another interesting obscure selection. Also included is “(You Got to Walk and) Don’t Look Back,” Jagger’s contibution to Peter Tosh’s reggae classic, Bush Doctor. Unfortunately, Jagger’s cover of “Dancing in the Streets” with David Bowie also found space on this album. When it was released back in 1985, it had the excuse of being a charity single, but not now. It’s almost as embarrassing as Dirty Work or Bridges to Babylon.
All in all, this is a nice collection of Mick’s Stones-free work. After listening to the tracks from Wandering Spirit and Goddess in the Doorway, I’d think you’d want to pick those up on their own. However, The Very Best of Mick Jagger still provides enough extra material to make it worthwhile. Plus, it’s a lot better than listening to anything the Stones did in the same time frame.
Rating: 7/10
Contest: Mick Jagger and David Bowie covered “Dancing in the Streets” to benefit the Live Aid charity. They also planned to do it as a duet at the concert, but those plans fell through. Why? Don’t put the answer in the comments. Instead, click here to send it to me. I’ll announce the winner on October 15, 2007.