Primitive Cool

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Primitive Cool
Primitive Cool cover
Studio album by Mick Jagger
Released 14 September 1987
Recorded 17 November -
18 December 1986 and
January - May 1987
Genre Rock
Length 49:20
Label Atlantic
Producer(s) Mick Jagger,
Keith Diamond
and David A. Stewart
Professional reviews
Mick Jagger chronology
She's the Boss
(1985)
Primitive Cool
(1987)
Wandering Spirit
(1993)


Primitive Cool is the second solo album by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and was released in 1987. As the follow-up to 1985's successful She's the Boss, Primitive Cool was another attempt to make Jagger a solo star, being more ambitious, but the commercial reaction was cooler than expected.

Following the release of Dirty Work in 1986, relations between Jagger and Keith Richards soured after Jagger decided to not tour the album in favor of starting his second solo project. Richards was vocal about his discontent in the media - which Jagger replied to, also publicly. Undeterred, Jagger promptly began work on Primitive Cool, recording in the Netherlands and Barbados.

Joining up with Eurythmics guitarist and songwriter 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.

Released in September 1987 with "Let's Work" as the lead single, the commercial reaction to Primitive Cool - despite its warm reviews - was not as welcoming as the reception for She's the Boss, with the album merely reaching #26 in the UK and #41 in the United States. "Let's Work" and follow-up single "Say You Will" were minor hits, not at all rivaling "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.

Although originally released by Sony Music, Primitive Cool was acquired and reissued by Atlantic Records in 1993 following the release of Jagger's third album, Wandering Spirit.

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger, except where noted.

  1. "Throwaway" – 5:03
  2. "Let's Work" (Mick Jagger/David A. Stewart) – 4:50
  3. "Radio Control" – 3:56
  4. "Say You Will" (Mick Jagger/David A. Stewart) – 5:07
  5. "Primitive Cool" – 5:50
  6. "Kow Tow" (Mick Jagger/David A. Stewart) – 4:55
    • A response to Keith Richards' public disparaging remarks about Jagger
  7. "Shoot Off Your Mouth" – 3:35
    • A response to Keith Richards' public disparaging remarks about Jagger
  8. "Peace For The Wicked" – 4:02
  9. "Party Doll" – 5:20
  10. "War Baby" – 6:39

[edit] Musicians

  • Vocals - Mick Jagger
  • Background Vocals - Jocelyn Brown, Craig Derry, Brenda King, Cindy Mizelle
  • Guitar - Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, G.E. Smith
  • Rhythm Guitar - Jim Barber, Vernon Reid, Jimmy Ripp, Dave Stewart
  • Autoharp - Mick Jagger
  • Bass - Dean Garcia, Doug Wimbush
  • Keyboards - Phillip Ashley, Richard Cottle, Denzil Miller, Greg Phillinganes, Pat Seymour
  • Harmonica - Mick Jagger
  • Whistle - Paddy Maloney
  • Drums - Omar Hakim, Simon Phillips
  • Percussion - Mick Jagger
  • Programming - Keith Diamond
  • Fiddle - Sean Keane
  • Trumpet - Jon Faddis
  • Saxophone - Bill Evans, David Sanborn
  • Uillean Pipes - Paddy Maloney