Primitive Cool

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Primitive Cool
Studio album by Mick Jagger
Released	14 September 1987
Recorded	17 November – 18 December 1986, and January–May 1987
Studio	Wisseloord Studios, Netherlands Blue Wave Studios, Barbados
Genre	Hard rock
Length	49:20
Language	English
Label	Columbia
Producer	Keith Diamond, Mick Jagger, David A. Stewart
Mick Jagger chronology
She's the Boss (1985) Primitive Cool (1987) Wandering Spirit (1993)
Singles from Primitive Cool
"Let's Work" Released: September 1987 "Throwaway" Released: November 1987 (US), December 1987 (UK) "Say You Will" Released: November 1987 (Europe), January 1988 (US)

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[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[]

Professional ratings

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[]

All tracks are written by Mick Jagger, except where noted.

Side one

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

Side two

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[]

• 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 Rommo – 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[]

External links[]

• Miami Herald article