Customer Reviews

Wandering Spirit

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The quality of these songs makes this album a true classic of the 90s as Mick sails through an impressive variety of styles with great panache. There's real Stones rock in Wired All Night, Out Of Focus and Put Me In The Trash; falsetto funk in Sweet Thing; blues rock in Don't Tear Me Up and Use Me; country balladeering in Evening Gown and Hang On To Me Tonight; hints of gospel in Angel In My Heart and even Celtic folk in Handsome Molly. Emotionally compelling music - great lyrics wrapped around killer hooks. It's like those late 60s and early 70s Stones albums where every song is a classic. Mick sings his heart out and puts most of modern rock music in the trash.

This record is, quite frankly, the best effort put out out by the Stones or any member of the Stones since Tatoo You.

The record contains some great rockers, such as the title track and single Tear Me Up, but also returns to Jagger's blues roots on numbers like "I've Been Lonely for So Long" and the Lenny Kravitz duet remake of Bill Withers' "Use Me." Jagger also goes country in a way that hasn't been done since Far Away Eyes on Some Girls, with a beutiful ballad apparently inspired by Jerry Hall called "Evening Gown." But the real treasure is the Gospel-blues Rock sensation "Out of Focus," the most original, daring work by a Rolling Stone since probably 1978.

This is one of the rare albums of the 1990's that can be listened to start to finish, so start it up!

Wandering Spirit is Mick Jagger's finest effort in a long time. After 2 rather pop sounding 80's albums in She's the Boss and Primitive Cool (both too slick and market driven), Wandering Spirit returns to draw from some of his best work with the Stones and also ventures into new territory. Wired all Night and Put Me in The Trash are 2 raunchy rockers with some of the catchiest riffs that either he or the Stones have come up with in years (and to imagine that these riffs don't have Keith driving them). Evening Gown and Hang On To Me Tonight take you back to some of best Stones ballads (reminiscent of the country guitars in Wild Horses, Dead Flowers). Angel in My Heart is an absolutely stunning requiem. Don't Tear Me Up is a fine mid temp rocker and Out of Focus is another brilliant gospel tinged blues rock number that could just as well belong to Exile on Main Street. Handsome Molly is a pleasant surprise. Use Me with Lenny Kravitz reminds one of Mick's early roots and even the falsetto funk driven Sweet Thing (Mick's flirtation with this genre has been his perennial downfall) works well this time around. Mother of a Man and Think are adventurous tunes with fat guitars; one never hears this on a Stones album. It is however the title track which shows a spiritual and exploratory side of Mick Jagger that best captures the energy, vitality, song writing brilliance as well as musicianship of Mick Jagger.
It's a pity that this album is not continuously raved about as one of the finest albums of the 90's (Rolling Stone magazine though did mention it in their list of 50 most important albums of the 90's). Mick Jagger and the Stones through the late 70's and 80's have often pandered to the seamy side of Rock and Roll resulting in a certain lack of respect from both critics as well as the general public. I would describe Lennon as a Bohemian, McCartney as prolific and Bob Dylan as a poet but Mick Jagger is the true Rock & Roll genius and Wandering Spirit showcases Mick's inherent versatility and ability to cross genres and remain adventurous and relevant.
Wandering Spirit is a must have for any lover of serious Rock and Rock & Roll.

Those who are familiar with Keith Richards'first solo album (listen to You don't Move Me, Talk is Cheap) know that Keith was not very impressed by the first two solo album by Mick Jagger. And the truth is that both She's the Boss and Primitive Cool were not memorable albums.
But Mick Jagger's third solo album, Wandering Spirit (1993) was actually a great record and probably one of the best in the decade.
There is some great rock (Wired all night, Put me in the trash, Mother of a man...), there are great ballads (evening Gown, Hang on to me tonight, Angel in my Heart), and there's a lot of blues. Which is what Mick and the Stones have always done best.
Wandering Spirit is a great blues. The handclapping that accompanies Mick's voice is reminiscent of the handclapping that was developed in the early blues tradition to replace the sound of drum--which had actually been forbidden. The parts played on guitar are reminiscent of what Bahamian blues-hero Joseph Spence recorded on songs like Don't Take Everybody to be Your Friend or Won't That Be a Happy Time.
Don't tear me up, which also has very strong blues influence, is the best song in the album and which is really worth listening to over and over again.

People who have been scared off by Jagger's previous solo outings should take heart...this one is the real deal. The entire album is strong, and explores funk, rock, and a variety of other styles. The album is stronger than Voodoo Lounge and just about any other Stones album released in recent memory.

If the Rolling Stones ever finally put away the zimmer-frames, then Mick can always go on recording with my blessing (especially if it's stuff like this). An interesting sounds-like-the-Stones-but-isn't album - if anything it's harder and funkier than the Stones - this is well worth a listen.

"Sweet Thing" was a poor choice of single and didn't showcase the worth of "Wired All Night", "Mother Of A Man" "Out Of Focus" and "Put Me In The Trash". This album shows Mick's love of the funkier side of the blues, and is helped along by (amongst others) Lenny Kravitz and Flea (from Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and taut production from Rick Rubin.

There is the usual Jagger-humour to the lyrics and the playing is characteristically first-class, as you'd suspect. Not quite as together as when he's with Keith and the boys, but this is small criticism given the strength of the album, and it's certainly better than most of the rock dirge we have to put up with from lesser "rock artists" these days...

Keep struttin' your stuff, Mick

Mick Jagger's finest hour ever. Aside from some classic Stones records like Some Girls and Emotional Rescue, this record proves to be Jagger's vindication towards many of the last few Stones and solo records, which were needless to say, lame. The help of super-producer Rick Rubin makes Jagger push the envelope on quality songs. And being there are 14 songs on here, there are 14 classic rip-roarin', guitar-tearin', gut-wrenchin' emotions pouring out from Jagger's heart and soul. Jagger has never sounded nor performed any better. If you like the Stones, you'll LOVE this.

This is a killer set of songs which showcases Mick Jagger's versatility. He can vocalize in different styles so well...rocking the house on one track, singing blues on the next. All of the songs on Wandering Spirit move me. "Mother of a Man" rocks with any Stones song.

I bought this album when it first came out basically because I was curious to see if Mick Jagger could make a good solo album. I found out that not only could he, but this album is bette than good. There are some rocking songs here such as "Wired All Night", "Out Of Focus", 'Put Me In The Trash". We have a funky sounding song "Sweet Thing" that you can dance to. "Dont Tear Me Up", and 'Hang On To Me Tonight" are some powerful ballads that trap the listener in. One other highlight of this album is the duet with Lenny Kravitz on "Use Me". Lenny Kravitz was just a few months away from releasing his awesome album "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and I think that Mick recognized his talent and included him on this album. After listening to the song, we know that it was a wise choice. I think that any music fan will truly enjoy this and should add it to their collection.

This is a really good album. An unexpected treat. I bought the album without having heard any of it because the reviews were strong, the Stones rule, and Mick is just the man in general.

I was pleased with the whole album on playing it - which is rare these days. There are some real gems here.

And the cut "Sweet Thing", has a hip-hoppy funky beat that was one of the most dancable traks released that year. Take it from this brother, if urban and black radio still had the guts to play cross-over jams - this track would have been rocking the boom bass jeeps across the country, and and getting cut and scratched in underground clubs in the cities.