Primitive Cool is the second solo album by the Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and was released in 1987. As the follow-up to Jagger's 1985 success She's the Boss, Primitive Cool was another attempt by Jagger to make him a solo star. However, the commercial reaction was cooler than expected.
Background
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. 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
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | B–[2] |
| Rolling Stone | favourable[3] |
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 and Australia, not feeling confident enough to attempt American or British shows.
Reissue
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.
Cover version
In 1999, Mary Chapin Carpenter covered the song "Party Doll" from Primitive Cool, as the title track of her compilation, Party Doll and Other Favorites.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Throwaway" | Mick Jagger | 5:03 |
| 2. | "Let's Work" | Jagger, David A. Stewart | 4:50 |
| 3. | "Radio Control" | Jagger | 3:56 |
| 4. | "Say You Will" | Jagger, Stewart | 5:07 |
| 5. | "Primitive Cool" | Jagger | 5:50 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "Kow Tow" | Jagger, Stewart | 4:55 |
| 7. | "Shoot Off Your Mouth" | Jagger | 3:35 |
| 8. | "Peace for the Wicked" | Jagger | 4:02 |
| 9. | "Party Doll" | Jagger | 5:20 |
| 10. | "War Baby" | Jagger | 6:39 |
| Total length: | 49:17 | ||
Personnel
- 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 – backing vocals
- Richard Cottle, Patrick Seymour – keyboards
- Keith Diamond – 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, Uillean pipes
- Denzil Miller – keyboards, backing vocals
- Vernon Reid, Jim Barber, Jimmy Rip, David A. Stewart – rhythm guitar
- G. E. Smith – guitar
Production
- 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
- Christopher Austopchuk, Francesco Clemente - cover design
Charts
Weekly charts
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK Top 100 Albums | 26 |
| 1987 | The Billboard 200 | 41 |
| 1988 | The Billboard 200 | 89 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Peak 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 |
Certifications and sales
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[4] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Primitive Cool at AllMusic
- ^ Christgau, Robert (27 October 1987). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York: VV Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived 15 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Mick Jagger – Primitive Cool". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 August 2019.