Tattoo You (Super Deluxe Edition)

Tattoo You was released when I was 21 years old. It was not my first The Rolling Stones album, far from even. Yet to this moment it is one of my favourite albums. Later I understood that the album was a bunch of leftovers thrown together by associated producer Chris Kimsey, as the band could no longer see eye to eye on many things. Despite having to go on a two year world tour soon.

My conclusion right up to today is, when a band has leftovers like this, they must be really, really great. In hindsight it is also not hard to conclude that Tattoo You is the last great Stones album. Most released later have their moments, some even great moments, but as a whole do not cut it. Tattoo You does.

I'm listening to the Spotify version of the Super Deluxe Edition. I can't tell whether it's my imagination running away with me, but I am of the impression that the 2021 remix is super clear, with here and there an element that I seem not to have heard or noticed before. In general, I simply love these songs. The album has several great rockers on it and a few great ballads. In between is this strange work of art called 'Slave', totally un-Stones yet working so well.

The Rolling Stones refrained from releasing an Anthology, for once not following The Beatles, like they were accused of until 1968, sometimes justified, other times not, just listen to that the great string of singles released from 1965 unwards. The band certainly found its own voice in the process, despite the half failed foray into psychedelia called 'Their Majesty's Satanic Request'.

Instead The Rolling Stones over the past 10 years have opted for a string of re-releases with a second album. Some artistically successful like 'Exile On Main Street' and last year with a fantastic second record to 'Goat's Head Soup'. I am still playing it regularly. With 'Some Girls'' additions I was less enthusiastic. And now there's Tattoo You, the leftovers of the leftovers. When I am totally honest, this is what most are, obvious leftovers and lesser songs than the ones we find on Tattoo You. With Goat's Head Soup this was definitely different. Even with the choice of take the band opted for. Not here.

This being The Rolling Stones I'm glad to be listening to new songs. (I am not one for chasing bootlegs.) There is a nice cover of 'Shame Shame Shame', the blues song, not the Shirley & Company song, a rendition of 'Drift Away', the Dobey Grey song, that for obvious reasons did not make the cut at the time. Nice, of course, but not good enough.

Opener 'Living In The Heart Of Love' has got the top spot for obvious reasons. With a little extra production, at the time it could even have been a nice single. The harmonies of Keith are top notch, while the band really rocks out, in a more melodic way than the hard rocking cuts on the actual album. This is the great addition to my Rolling Stones collection, soon, as I will buy the two album set.

Trouble's A Comin', a Chi-Lites cover, is a song that holds its own totally. It has a great, warm Hammond organ, an instrument that is not totally Stones, used in this way of long-held chords. Of course, the song has some similarities to older songs but where later on record two it is a little irritating, here it still works. 'Come To The Ball' is another great rocker. The ballad, 'Fast Talking, Slow Walking' could have a song on Goat's Head Soup or 'It's Only Rock And Roll'. Totally Mick Taylor styled alright. Another song that has better brethren but definitely nice to have.

What is nice is to hear a reggae version of 'Start Me Up'. It still rocks a-plenty. The reggae is more in the details and the harmony vocals, as whole parts could be mistaken for a hardrocking song.

The super deluxe comes with the Wembley show of 1982, 26 songs, with the band in great form. Even a song I had not heard them play before, the Bog Bopper, and Jerry Lee Lewis hit single 'Chantilly Lace' found its way on record. Of course it's a nice addition to 'Still Life', I think even better than the 'Still Life' recordings, but how many live records of The Rolling Stones do I need, especially as it comes at a huge price. So thanks but no thanks.

As a whole for completists the Tattoo You super deluxe box is worth its while. The Deluxe edition a must for all fans.

Wout de Natris