Erika Elder (of MV and EE & the Golden Road) on Jagger and the Stones' Goats Head Soup (1973), in the always wonderful fanzine, Galactic Zoo Dossier: "I think GH Soup is Mick Jagger's Perfect State of Being. He's so loose like a Gospel Singer--I get the feeling that its exactly what he's meant to do."
That's very funny, but I know what she means; you can hear it in the vocals for songs like "100 Years Ago" or "Hide Your Love." Spontaneous, and seemingly casual, these are among Jagger's most expressive vocals.
I've always considered this Stones' record and the next, as Jagger's peak moments as a singer (as opposed to front man). I never especially liked the mix on It's Only Rock'n'roll, the first record produced by Jagger and Richards themselves: it's too clean, especially compared with the moody, murky depths of Goats Head. (produced by Jimmy Miller, who got the sack immediately after this record).
Anyway, GHS is Jagger's record, although Keith has one golden moment:
"Coming Down Again" represents Keith at his absolute laziest as a songwriter, but it hardly matters: 5:56 of languorous junkie sloth, it's graced by a sax solo from Bobby Keys that's as warm and wet as amniotic fluid (not that I recall anything about the womb, I just want to sound more like Greil Marcus).
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