Wandering Spirit (album)

Wandering Spirit is the third solo album by Mick Jagger and was released in 1993, Jagger's only solo album release of the 1990s. Jagger aimed to re-introduce himself as a solo artist in a musical climate vastly changed from what had witnessed the release of his first two projects, She's the Boss and Primitive Cool.

Following the successful comeback of The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels (1989), which saw the end of Jagger and Keith Richards' well-publicised feud, Jagger began routining new material for what would become Wandering Spirit. In January 1992, after acquiring Rick Rubin as co-producer, Jagger recorded the album in Los Angeles over seven months until September 1992, recording simultaneously as Richards was making Main Offender.

Jagger would keep the celebrity guests to a minimum on Wandering Spirit, only having Lenny Kravitz as a vocalist on his cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me" and bassist Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers on three tracks.

Following the end of The Rolling Stones' Sony Music contract and their signing to Virgin Records, Jagger elected to sign with Atlantic Records (which had signed the Stones in the 1970s) to distribute what would be his only album with the label.

Released in February 1993, Wandering Spirit was commercially successful, reaching #12 in the UK and #11 in the US, going gold there. The track "Sweet Thing" was the lead single. Critical reaction was very strong, noting Jagger's abandonment of slick synthesizers in favour of an incisive and lean guitar sound.^{[citation needed]}

Contemporary reviewers tend to consider Wandering Spirit a high point of Jagger's latter-day career achievements and are generally polarised between it and his 2001 follow-up, Goddess in the Doorway, as his best solo album.^{[citation needed]}

1 Track listing
2 Musicians
3 Charts
4 References

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger, except where noted.

"Wired All Night" – 4:05
"Sweet Thing" – 4:19
"Out Of Focus" – 4:36
"Don't Tear Me Up" – 4:11
"Put Me In The Trash" (Mick Jagger/Jimmy Rip) – 3:35
"Use Me" (Bill Withers) – 4:28
- Features Lenny Kravitz on co-lead vocal
"Evening Gown" – 3:33
"Mother Of A Man" – 4:18
"Think" (Lowman Pauling) – 2:59
"Wandering Spirit" (Mick Jagger/Jimmy Rip) – 4:18
"Hang On To Me Tonight" – 4:37
"I've Been Lonely For So Long (Posie Knight/Jerry Weaver)" – 3:29
- Tracks 3, 6 and 12 feature Flea on bass
"Angel In My Heart" – 3:24
"Handsome Molly" (Traditional) – 2:06

[edit] Musicians

Vocals - Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz
Background Vocals - Lynn Davis, Jean McClain, Jeff Pescetto
Virginal - Matt Clifford
Guitar - Mick Jagger, Brendan O'Brien, Jimmy Rip, Frank Simes
Pedal Steel Guitar - JayDee Mannes
Bass - Flea, John Pierce, Doug Wimbish
Piano - Billy Preston, Benmont Tench
Organ - Billy Preston, Benmont Tench
Harpsichord - Matt Clifford
Clavinet - Mick Jagger, Billy Preston
Moog synthesizer - David Bianco
Harmonica - Mick Jagger
Drums - Curt Bisquera, Jim Keltner
Percussion - Lenny Castro, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Rip
Conductor - Matt Clifford
String Arrangement - Matt Clifford
Fiddle - Robin McKidd
Saxophone - Courtney Pine

[edit] Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1993	UK Top 75 Albums	12
1993	Billboard 200	11

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1993	"Sweet Thing"	UK Top 75 Singles	24
1993	"Sweet Thing"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	34
1993	"Sweet Thing"	Billboard Hot 100	84
1993	"Don't Tear Me Up"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	1
1993	"Wired All Night"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	3

[edit] References

This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2007)
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