The Rolling Stones / Some Girls Deluxe Edition / Bonus tracks

I’ve recently had the opportunity to listen to the bonus disc which forms part of the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions of The Rolling Stones’ Some Girls reissue.

I haven’t heard any of the bootlegs and knew absolutely nothing about the recording sessions for the album. Probably an advantage coming to them without any prejudice. However, reports of Mick Jagger adding new vocals to old tracks didn’t fill me with confidence and I will admit to approaching with some caution.

Below is a brief overview of first impressions on hearing these tracks along with full credits for each.

1. CLAUDINE
(Jagger/Richards)

A raucous, quick-paced bar room blues with boogie-woogie piano and shuffling drums. A tale concerning jailbird Claudine – a repetition of  “Claudine’s back in Jail again” dominates. (Track length: 3.39)

Verdict: Good start.

• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Keith Richards – electric guitar and harmony vocals
• Mick Jagger – acoustic guitar, vocals
• Ronnie Wood – acoustic guitar
• Ian Stewart – piano

2. SO YOUNG
(Jagger/Richards)

One of the highlights from the bonus disc. Another bluesy song with committed performances all round. Ian Stewart on piano, with Chick Leavell also contributing with a great piano solo. (Track length: 3.18)

Verdict: More like this please.

• Mick Jagger – vocals
• Keith Richards – electric guitar & harmony vocals
• Ronnie Wood – electric guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Ian Stewart – piano
• Chick Leavell – piano solo

3. DO YOU THINK I REALLY CARE
(Jagger/Richards)

Mid-paced Country-influenced rocker, with some great piano from Ian Stewart and pedal steel from Ronnie Wood. (Track length: 4.20)

Verdict: Solid.

•  Mick Jagger – vocals + acoustic guitar
• Keith Richards – acoustic guitar + harmony vocals
• Ronnie Wood – pedal steel + electric guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Ian Stewart – piano

4. WHEN YOU’RE GONE
(Jagger/Richards/Wood)

Very enjoyable swampy blues number, with Jagger’s vocals very spiteful and nasty “I’ll throw away your letters and rip up all your sweaters….”. Some good harmonica from Mick on this number. (Track length: 3.52)

Verdict: Sweaty.

• Mick Jagger – vocals, guitar & harp
• Keith Richards – guitar
• Ronnie Wood – guitar
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Charlie Watts – drums

5. NO SPARE PARTS
(Jagger/Richards)

A country twang to this number, which is being released as a single. Jagger’s nasally vocals are very impressive and even if they were recorded recently, a combination of him really going for it and the unpolished production of the period make this very laid back track a highly rewarding listen. (Track length: 4.28)

Verdict: The melody makes it.

• Mick Jagger – vocals, el piano, guitar, tambourine
• Keith Richards – piano
• Ronnie Wood – electric guitar & pedal steel
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass

6. DON’T BE A STRANGER
(Jagger/Richards)

Lots of percussion on this number (from Matt Clifford) with a light samba rhythm and lots of acoustic guitar, courtesy of Richards and Wood. Sugar Blue who played distinctively on Miss You, also adds some harmonica to this track.

“Don’t be a stranger, a stranger no more, Don’t be a stranger, just knock on my door” sings Jagger and it’s another great mid paced track. What were these doing sitting in a cupboard for 30 years?! (Track length: 4.04)

Verdict: Great pop song.

• Mick Jagger – vocals, percussion
• Keith Richards – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion
• Ronnie Wood – acoustic guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – marimba
• Don Was – bass
• Sugar Blue – harp
• Matt Clifford – percussion

7. WE HAD IT ALL
(Troy Seals / Donnie Fritts)

A Dylan-esque sounding Richards, takes over lead vocals on this mournful ballad. We Had It All is a song originally written by American Southern songwriters Troy Seals and Donnie Fritts. (Track length: 2:59)

Verdict: Intimate

• Keith Richards – vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Ronnie Wood – pedal steel
• Sugar Blue – harp

8. TALLAHASSEE LASSIE
(Slay, Crewe, Picariello)

This straight rock ‘n’ roll number is a cover of Freddy Cannon’s 1959 favourite. (Track length: 2.38)

Verdict: Perfunctory.

• Mick Jagger – vocals
• Keith Richards – electric guitar
• Ronnie Wood – electric guitar
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Ian Stewart – piano
• Handclaps by Mick Jagger, John Fogerty and Don Was

9. I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH
(Jagger/Richards)

Another catchy, mid paced rocker. Jagger is obsessed with his girl and he “can’t help it if I love you too much…you got me dizzy like a Martini lunch”. (Track length: 3.10)

Verdict: Lightweight, but fun.

• Mick Jagger – vocals
• Keith Richards – electric guitar, harmony vocals, piano
• Ronnie Wood – electric guitar
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Charlie Watts – drums

10. KEEP UP BLUES
(Jagger/Richards)

Just the core band on this number, and as the title suggests, back to some good ole shuffling blues. Probably doesn’t need reiterating, but The Rolling Stones can do the blues. “My shirts are made in England and my shoes in Rome, you know I’m coming, smell my Cologne”. Many women have, Mick. (Track length: 4:25)

Verdict: Authentic.

• Mick Jagger – vocals & harp
• Keith Richards – electric guitar
• Ronnie Wood – slide guitar
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass

11. YOU WIN AGAIN
(Hank Williams)

You Win Again is a song written by the great country singer Hank Williams. A fairly respectful cover by The Stones with Ian Stewart adding some piano. Ronnie Wood’s pedal steel is put to good effect and there is a satisfying fullness to the sound and production. (Track length: 3.05)

Verdict: Fine.

• Mick Jagger – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Keith Richards – electric guitar & el piano
• Ronnie Wood – pedal steel
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Ian Stewart – piano

12. PETROL BLUES
(Jagger/Richards)

Just Mick on his own here banging away on the piano. A jokey number referencing the oil crisis, with Jagger pleading with “Mr President” because he doesn’t want to sell his cadillac “that he just paid for”. It’s rough around the edges, but number and is the only track on the bonus disc that actually sounds like a demo, or some fooling around in the studio. (Track length: 1.30)

Verdict: Lots of charm

•  Mick Jagger – vocals and piano

Overall verdict

I had expected some half-written songs, possibly with a bit of studio banter, with maybe the odd gem. Instead, we get a very listenable series of tracks, which flow very well and sound fully structured and complete. It is not clear which tracks Mick Jagger has recorded new vocals for, but I guess that is probably a compliment. I was not cringing hearing ‘modern’ Mick sing with old music. In fact his vocal performances, whenever they were recorded, were a highlight. Full of character, charm and the usual Jagger swagger.

The original production of the music has stood up very well and songs like Don’t Be A Stranger, No Spare Parts, and So Young are not deserving of the ‘bonus’ tag.

I can see anyone who decides to buy either edition of this reissue, playing this disc frequently.

The Rolling Stones Some Girls Super Deluxe Edition is released on 21 November in the UK and can be pre-ordered here.