There is a certain mythology attached to any Rolling Stones record, and 1978's Some Girls is no exception. This must be due in part to the wild state of the band members' personal lives around the time of the album's creation. As the star of the story, charismatic lead singer Mick Jagger was prancing around New York City and feeding off the outbreak of disco and punk.
Meanwhile, notorious guitarist Keith Richards had to maneuver out of Canadian legal trouble for unwisely transporting a whole bunch of heroin into the country. But as the legend goes, the Rolling Stones incorporated these hedonistic tribulations into their work and came up with a burst of reinvigorating rock 'n' roll.
As is the current trend with established Rock Gods, the Rolling Stones have recently re-released the classic album Some Girls with 12 "new" tracks. Actually, some of these songs had found their way into the market in the past as bootlegs. Now they are freshly polished and available in full legal form, along with the 10 original tracks.
Some Girls in its 1978 incarnation is a thoroughly enjoyable album: full of vibrant, gritty, offensive, danceable and heartfelt vibrations. Its 2011 reissue has a clearer sound, but this may not even be noticeable to many listeners. Regardless, it's a likable album whether left alone or revamped. The 10 original tracks do not warrant much reevaluation because 1) they have not changed very much, and 2) their quality remains evident despite their age.
The album reveals the group in a transitional period. As an already somewhat mature band, the Stones attempted to incorporate new sounds that had gained prominence since their genesis in the early 1960s. The result is a mix of songs with country, disco and punk interwoven into standard Stones rock 'n roll. And hanging over everything is the darkly exuberant vibe of New York in the late seventies. Minor single "Beast of Burden" is the best of the 1978 originals with its smooth treatment of regret, rage and lust.
The Stones' "new" material is not disappointing. It even fits rather well with the album's overall theme. Many of songs have a country tilt. Their tone matches the jokey twang first revealed in 1978's "Far Away Eyes." Of the country-inspired material, "No Spare Parts" is the best. It's a sweet and melodic little narrative with Jagger repeating the revealing line, "If I want something bad enough I always find a way to get through. . ." There are a decent amount of covers on Some Girls as well. These include Richards' sentimental take on the Hank Williams classic "We Had It All" and a rollicking version of Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie."
"Do You Think I Really Care?" was once known as the widely circulating bootleg "Yellow Cab." Jagger's improved 2011 version keeps some vivid descriptions of New York City streets, highways and subways. His longing lyrics pursue an elusive woman through now nostalgic ‘70s hotspots, such as The Factory and Max's Kansas City.
The fast-paced track "Claudine" was supposed to come out on 1978's Some Girls, but was scrapped due to legal reasons. Its chorus: "Claudine's back in jail again," refers to contemporary celebrity Claudine Longet who received a brief jail sentence after "accidentally" shooting her boyfriend. The discerning Stones evidently did not buy her story.
"So Young" is a fun track, but a bit creepy (and even more so now that the band members are nearing 70). It describes the singer's charged relationship with a teenage girl but in a typically flippant rock 'n' roll style.
The song is not without charm though — Jagger sings about his messy young suitor in a roughly endearing, barely criminal way. Another simple but undeniably catchy track is "I Love You Too Much." Note the punchy chorus and amusing lyrics: "I can't help it 'cause I love you too much, you got me dizzy like a martini lunch."
It's a treat to hear some unheard Rolling Stones gems from this period. Especially enjoyable are the old Richards vocals where his ragged voice sounds fresher and less chemically beat-up. The high quality of these new tracks must make fans wonder about what else the band members have been hoarding in their closets. If the Stones aren't going to make any new music, then unveiling this rejected old material is a satisfying enough substitute.
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