''Primitive Cool'' is the second solo album by English singer Mick Jagger and was released in 1987. As the follow-up to Jagger's 1985 album '' She's the Boss'', ''Primitive Cool'' was another attempt by Jagger to make him a solo star.

Background

Following the release of the

Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...

album '' Dirty Work'' in 1986, relations between Jagger and Keith Richards soured after Jagger decided to not tour to promote the album in favour of starting his second solo project. Richards was vocal about his discontent in the media—which Jagger replied to, also publicly; "Kow Tow" and "Shoot Off Your Mouth" were reportedly written in response to disparaging remarks made about Jagger by Keith Richards. Undeterred, Jagger promptly began work on ''Primitive Cool'', recording in the Netherlands and Barbados. Joining up with David A. Stewart and Keith Diamond in the producer's chair, Jagger used

Jeff Beck Geoffrey Arnold Beck (born 24 June 1944) is an English rock guitarist. He rose to prominence with the Yardbirds and after fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. In 1975, he switched to a mainly instrumental style, with a focus ...

as the regular guitarist for the sessions, seeking to have more uniformity in the recordings.

Reception

Released in September 1987 with " Let's Work" as the lead single, the commercial reaction to ''Primitive Cool'' was not as welcoming as the reception for '' She's the Boss'', with the album merely reaching No. 26 in the UK and No. 41 in the United States with " Let's Work" and follow-ups singles "Throwaway" and "Say You Will" were minor hits, not at all rivalling "Just Another Night" in commercial success. As a result, although Jagger toured ''Primitive Cool'', it was only in Japan and Australia, not feeling confident enough to attempt American or British shows.

Reissue

Although originally released by

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...

, ''Primitive Cool'' was acquired and reissued by

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

in 1993, following the release of Jagger's third album, '' Wandering Spirit'', which was issued by Atlantic.

Track listing

Personnel

*Mick Jagger – vocals, guitar,

autoharp An autoharp or chord zither is a string instrument belonging to the zither family. It uses a series of bars individually configured to mute all strings other than those needed for the intended chord. The term ''autoharp'' was once a trademark of ...

, harmonica, percussion *Phillip Ashley, Greg Phillinganes – keyboards *

- lead guitar *

Jocelyn Brown Jocelyn Lorette Brown (born November 25, 1950), sometimes credited as Jocelyn Shaw, is an American R&B and dance singer. Although she has only one ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart entry solely in her name, she has an extensive background in the musi ...

, Craig Derry, Brenda White King, Pamela Quinlan, Cindy Mizelle, Harrison College Choir, Barbados – backing vocals *Richard Cottle,

Patrick Seymour Patrick Seymour (often credited as Pat Seymour) is a classically trained British songwriter and keyboard player. He has worked as a live and session musician with various artists, and was most notably part of Eurythmics' backing band in the 198 ...

– keyboards * Keith Diamond, Olle Romo – programming *

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

, David Sanborn – saxophone *

Jon Faddis Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known ...

– trumpet * Dean Garcia, Doug Wimbish – bass guitar * Omar Hakim, Simon Phillips – drums * Seán Keane –

fiddle A fiddle is a bowed string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including classical music. Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, th ...

* Paddy Moloney – whistle, Uillean pipes *Denzil Miller – keyboards, backing vocals * Vernon Reid, Jim Barber, Jimmy Rip, David A. Stewart – rhythm guitar *

G. E. Smith George Edward Smith (''né'' Haddad; born January 27, 1952) is an American guitarist. Smith was the lead guitarist for the duo Hall & Oates during the band's heyday from 1979 to 1985, playing on five number one singles. After Hall & Oates went i ...

– guitar

Production

*Produced By Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart & Keith Diamond *Engineers: Jon Bavin, Manu Guiot, Bob Rosa, Ed Stasium *Assistant Engineers: Paul Hamingson, Michiel Hoogenboezem, Glen Johansen, Scott Mabuchi, Moira Marquis, Danny Mormando *Mixing:

Michael Barbiero Michael Francis Barbiero (born June 25, 1949)Infidel Biography
. Infidel Records. Retri ...

, Paul Hamingson, Ed Stasium, Steve Thompson *Digital Editing: Rhonda Schoen *Mastering: Greg Calbi *Christopher Austopchuk, Francesco Clemente - cover design

Charts

Weekly charts

Certifications and sales

References

External links

Miami Herald article
{{Authority control 1987 albums Albums produced by Mick Jagger Albums produced by David A. Stewart Atlantic Records albums Columbia Records albums Mick Jagger albums