Summary
Primitive Cool is the second solo album by English singer Mick Jagger, 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.
| Primitive Cool | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 14 September 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 17 November – 18 December 1986, and January–May 1987 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 49:20 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Keith Diamond, Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart | |||
| Mick Jagger chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Primitive Cool | ||||
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Background edit
Following the release of the Rolling Stones 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.[citation needed] 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 as the regular guitarist for the sessions, seeking to have more uniformity in the recordings.
Reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | B−[2] |
| Number One | [3] |
| Rolling Stone | favourable[4] |
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, Australia & New Zealand, not feeling confident enough to attempt American or British shows.
Reissue edit
Although originally released by Columbia Records, Primitive Cool was acquired and reissued by Atlantic Records in 1993, following the release of Jagger's third album, Wandering Spirit, which was issued by Atlantic.
Track listing edit
All tracks are written by Mick Jagger, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Throwaway" | 5:03 | |
| 2. | "Let's Work" | Jagger, David A. Stewart | 4:50 |
| 3. | "Radio Control" | 3:56 | |
| 4. | "Say You Will" | Jagger, Stewart | 5:07 |
| 5. | "Primitive Cool" | 5:50 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Kow Tow" | Jagger, Stewart | 4:55 |
| 7. | "Shoot Off Your Mouth" | 3:35 | |
| 8. | "Peace for the Wicked" | 4:02 | |
| 9. | "Party Doll" | 5:20 | |
| 10. | "War Baby" | 6:39 | |
| Total length: | 49:17 | ||
Personnel edit
- Mick Jagger – vocals, guitar, autoharp, harmonica, percussion
- Phillip Ashley, Greg Phillinganes – keyboards
- Jeff Beck – lead guitar
- Jocelyn Brown, Craig Derry, Brenda White King, Pamela Quinlan, Cindy Mizelle, Harrison College Choir, Barbados – backing vocals
- Richard Cottle, Patrick Seymour – keyboards
- Keith Diamond, Olle Romo – programming
- Bill Evans, David Sanborn – saxophone
- Jon Faddis – trumpet
- Dean Garcia, Doug Wimbish – bass guitar
- Omar Hakim, Simon Phillips – drums
- Seán Keane – fiddle
- Paddy Moloney – whistle, uilleann pipes
- Denzil Miller – keyboards, backing vocals
- Vernon Reid, Jim Barber, Jimmy Rip, David A. Stewart – rhythm guitar
- G. E. Smith – guitar
Production edit
- 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, Paul Hamingson, Ed Stasium, Steve Thompson
- Digital Editing: Rhonda Schoen
- Mastering: Greg Calbi
- Cover design: Christopher Austopchuk, Francesco Clemente
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[5] | 25 |
| UK Top 100 Albums | 26 |
| The Billboard 200 | 41 |
Certifications and sales edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[6] | Gold | 50,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Singles edit
| Year | Single | List | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Let's Work" | UK Top 100 Singles | 31 |
| Mainstream Rock Tracks | 7 | ||
| Billboard Hot 100 | 39 | ||
| Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 32 | ||
| Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | 48 | ||
| "Throwaway" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 7 | |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 67 | ||
| "Say You Will" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 39 |
References edit
- ^ Primitive Cool at AllMusic
- ^ Christgau, Robert (27 October 1987). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York: VV Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ Panos, Andrew (10 October 1987). "Review: Mick Jagger — Primitive Cool (CBS)". Number One. No. 225. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. p. 12. ISSN 0266-5328. Retrieved 18 November 2022 – via Flickr.
- ^ [1] Archived 15 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 153. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Mick Jagger – Primitive Cool". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
External links edit
- Miami Herald article
- Mick Jagger at Todomusica.org (in Spanish)