Tattoo You -Remast-

A review of the cd deluxe…A new Rolling Stones super deluxe is always appreciated. I’ve been loving the clearance of the archives these sets are giving us. Being a late bloomer into Stones fandom “Tattoo You” was my first album purchase so it has a special place in my memory. Let’s have a look inside…The Rolling Stones archive reissues are almost a game as to what unique music format will be included. “Exile On Main St” from 2010 was issued in a lp sized box and featured the 2lp vinyl as well as CD’s and a sampler dvd. “Some Girls” from 2011 was available in multiple box sets and the SDE was an oversized folio box / book and included a 7” single, 2 CD’s and a sampler dvd. “Sticky Fingers” from 2015 was also available in multiple box sets, the SDE included a reproduction of the famous Andy Warhol zipper sleeve, a 7” single as well as CD’s and another sampler dvd featuring 2 songs from the Marquee Club. “Goat’s Head Soup” SDE from 2020 contains 3 CD’s and for the first time in the series, a Blu-ray disc featuring the album in hi resolution audio and multi channel surround sound.Now we have “Tattoo You” and in an exercise on the law of diminishing returns the “bonus” in this box set is a picture disc. Instead of moving forward with Blu-ray discs and hi resolution audio we’ve gone backwards including the full album twice, once on cd & vinyl. There is the now mandatory disc of outtakes and a full concert but no sampler dvd or any video content.The big item in all these sets is the hardback book included with every box and the one for “Tattoo You” is no exception but I must admit I had higher expectations for this SDE of my first Stones album. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement, I mean come on, who wants a picture disc in the 21st century? Not me!Giving it a very low four stars, closer to 3 and a half.

...of a different kind of Stones classic. Tattoo You would be the towering achievement of almost any career, but its reputation still falls below that of the "Big Four" Stones albums and below that of Some Girls, as well. This beautiful box does a fine job of getting the spotlight onto a different, almost accidental, greatness--and especially on the 80s soul triumph of the original album's "side two." The bonus cuts are culled and patched together along the lines of the original album and work wonderfully well. And the '82 London performances smoke--they're absolutely worthwhile even if the listener is familiar with the previous year's live work. The Stones are magic--and this set does a great job of showing that off.

Un capolavoro che a parole non si può descrivere, ma si può ascoltare.

I bought - Start me up - on 7" single when first released in August 1981.this is the opening track on the Tattoo you album - released the following month and reaching no 2 on the UK albums chart.I decided to move beyond the first track and forage the rest of the l.p.- a mere 40 (and a little bit) years later,with this expanded two disc 'deluxe' edition.By and large; it is well worth the wait.a blend of Rolling Stones familiar rock n roll bombast and guitar licks - courtesy of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - respectively - and other invaluable contributions from band members; Bill Wyman,Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood make their mark on the album - as excpected.Track 2: Hang fire and following track: Slave - a blues and jazz type song - with contributions from Billy Preston on keyboards and Sonny Rollins on saxophone (both legends in their own fields) - is a truly outstanding piece of music and one of my favourites on the album.Little T & A - runs out of steam a little - quite repetitive and bland.but gets back on track with - the blusey - Black limousine (Jagger's harmonica playing is a pure delight),continuing with the socially observed: Neighbours - highlighting Keith Richards problems he was having at the time with his next door err..neighbours.Worried about you - is another outstanding track: powerful and moving - not smaltzy - including guitar solo by Wayne Perkins - pre-Ronnie Wood becoming a permanent Stones member.Skipping next two tracks; to highlight penultimate track: No use in crying - beautiful ballad with piano contribution from long-term RS session man - (the now late) Nicky Hopkins.Final track: Waiting on a friend (second UK single release) - is a pleasant,reflective closer.drawing on the friendship within the Rolling stones members - lovely sentiment.Has to be noted: the majority of tracks on disc one original album - are archive recordings and outtakes,and 'leftovers' from previously released RS albums I.e. Some girls,Black and blue and Exile on main street. This was due to the band undertaking a mammoth world tour in 1981-82; and they hadn't got the time to record a brand new album before it commenced.On the whole: they pull it off,as it gells together after a few listens and gives the feel of a new album release.Disc 2 on this re-issue dubbed: Lost & Found: includes further previously unreleased outtakes and demo recordings of the Stones.only this time,they have (reportedly) gone back in the studio to record additional parts for some of the songs.tweaking and enhancing them - apparently!Highlights include three cover versions; Shame,shame,shame - originally by Bluesman Jimmy Reid (huge influence on the Rolling stones),Driftaway by Dobie Gray (superb lead vocals by Mick Jagger),Troubles A-comin' written by Eugene Record of US soul group - The Chil-lites.Closing track on this second disc is an earlier reggae style version of - Start me up - and is a very interesting listen and inclusion.Re-issue package includes 20 page booklet: crammed with info including; excellent sleeve notes on the era,Disc one track by track resumé and background into the making of: Tattoo you - by New York based - singer/songwriter and music journalist: Jeff Slate,Band photographs,full track by track musician credits (who played on what etc),thank you's,original and re-issue credits,hand-written lyrics for: Start me up and "uncle Tom cobbly and all"🤣On the whole: a very good but not classic Rolling stones album - an excellent re- packaged 40th anniversary release of Tattoo you.PS: original production by Chris Kimsey and re-mastered sound by latterday engineers - both sterling work,by the way.One dissapointment: no stand-alone track listing for any songs on either discs - quite infuriating!Whinge over: enjoy Tattoo you...

👍 très bien….