Mick Jagger
Wandering Spirit

THE REVIEW

The album is from '93. I know little about the big-lipped one's career outside of the Rolling Stones, and what I know about his career with the Rolling Stones excites me only to a certain extent. Damned rock star, stage animal, living legend, bla bla bla. I don't approve, but I don't contest.

So I limit myself to reviewing this CD, perhaps given to me by mistake or as a joke (considering my musical tastes...). Well, great CD, great gift!

Don't be fooled by the horrid cover. The drummer (a monster of skill) gives the count of four and we immediately kick off with "Wired all night", which has a momentum and rock sound that can't help but engage you. The Rolling-style chorus is nice, but it's the musical architecture of the song that forces you to shake your hips (perhaps in a less ridiculous way than he usually does...) even if you don't want to, even if you're skeptical. Pure energy.

Very engaging, albeit in a completely different way, is also "Sweet thing" that I struggle to categorize within known music genres, but which I can't help but applaud, especially for the choice of sounds and guitar riffs. "Out of focus" is a bit too Rolling Stones-esque but has its strength in the catchy chorus, while overall it is less intense and distinctive than the others. "Don’t tear me up" is listenable, while the next "Don’t put me in the trash" is a bit like a slower and less convincing poor copy of number 1. Together with two or three other tracks, it doesn't astound but doesn't bore (maybe just a tad bit), but it helps you quickly arrive at a gem like "Use me", where the undeniable talent of the old Mick blends sublimely with the best a certain Lenny Kravitz is (or was) able to offer. The track is truly engagingly swaying and rolling (by no chance), and doesn't tire at all despite being a bit repetitive and persistent. The two voices alternate and blend with class.

Other pieces that I consider negligible take us swiftly to "Think", another cannonball of Rock energy that we love and that messes up our hair. It's unclear who's more skilled in this explosive performance. Drums, guitar, bass, and horns are of such caliber they could infuriate anyone who has ever tried to play an instrument, yet the virtuosity blends with each other unpretentiously, and the superb ensemble of sounds finds its rightful guiding beacon in Mick's usual, old, not tall but wise voice. If this were not enough, the next song, which gives the album its title, is another great demonstration of wisdom in the selection of sounds and atmospheres. The technical/musical level is lower but no less engaging for that, and Mick navigates nimbly through a melody at times a bit country and absolutely fitting.

Tracks 11 and 12 bore me a little, but given the precedents I’m patient until reaching the beautiful and strange "Angel in my heart", with a kind of harpsichord (or thereabouts) that serves as a backdrop to a voice perhaps a bit too sweet here that chases the glories of "Lady Jane" without entirely succeeding. Yet overall, this one too stands and is heard. "Handsome Molly" I believe was a joke and fun and should remain as such.

In conclusion, I can only take off my hat and applaud big lips. The album works and rocks hard. Since the Rolling Stones usually tend to bore me a bit (sorry, but I can't change my mind), I wonder how much more this thin and somewhat effeminate being could have contributed to the history of music with musicians of different caliber beside him. He has already given a lot, to be clear, but the doubt remains for me.

As usual, I invite you to http://www.the4fabs.com/

Bye!