Primitive Cool

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

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 Mick to make him a solo star, being more ambitious. However, 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 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 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 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 "Throwaway" 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 CBS, Primitive Cool was acquired and reissued by Atlantic Records in 1993 following the release of Jagger's third album, Wandering Spirit.

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 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
7. "Shoot Off Your Mouth" – 3:35
8. "Peace for the Wicked" – 4:02
9. "Party Doll" – 5:20
10. "War Baby" – 6:39

Personnel

• Mick Jagger – vocals, guitar, autoharp, harmonica, percussion, and production
• Phillip Ashley – keyboards
• Jim Barber – rhythm guitar
• Jeff Beck – guitar
• Jocelyn Brown – backing vocals
• Richard Cottle – keyboards
• Craig Derry – backing vocals
• Keith Diamond – programming and production
• Bill Evans – saxophone
• Jon Faddis – trumpet
• Dean Garcia – bass guitar
• Omar Hakim – drums
• Sean Keáne – fiddle
• Brenda King – backing vocals
• Paddy Maloney – whistle and Uillean pipes
• Denzil Miller – keyboards
• Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
• Greg Phillinganes – keyboards
• Simon Phillips – drums
• Vernon Reid – rhythm guitar
• Jimmy Ripp – rhythm guitar
• David Sanborn – saxophone
• Pat Seymour – keyboards
• G.E. Smith – guitar
• David A. Stewart – rhythm guitar and production
• Doug Wimbish – bass guitar

Sales chart performance

Album

Singles