Dancing with Mister D

The Rolling Stones - "Goat's Head Soup" (1973) - Rolling Stones Records

Hello Friends,

Considered by most to be the final record in their "Golden Era", The Rolling Stones' Goat's Head Soup is a dark, mysterious and inherently sad record.  Picking up where the iconic & epic Exile on Main Street left off, despair & death loom large.  Its the end of an era kids and with Halloween less than a week away, it seemed an appropriate listen!

The opening song, "Dancing with Mr. D" pretty much gives us an idea of what's to come on the rest of the LP: laid-back blues-rock with one foot in the grave!  With lyrics like: "Down in the graveyard where we have our tryst / The air smells sweet, the air smells sick" and "Human skulls is hangin' right 'round his neck / The palms of my hands is clammy and wet".  The "D" stands for Death and by 1973, the Glimmer Twins have definitely had their dance cards full!

The second track is the great, underrated "100 Years Ago"-- a nostalgic and wistful ballad with a country twinge!  This is followed by Keith Richards' heartbreaking "Coming Down Again" written about his tumultuous relationship with actress/model/muse Anita Pallenberg who had previously dated the since-deceased, Brian Jones.  (Editor's Note: She dated him while he was still alive!) This song might also contain the best Stones' lyrics ever: 

Slipped my tongue in someone else's pie; 

Tasting better ev'ry time

He turned green and tried to make me cry; 

Being hungry, it ain't no crime!  

You said it Keef!  (He's talking about pumpkin pie, right?)

Side One concludes with the two singles from the album "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" and "Angie".  The first is a funked-up, sleazy tale of some cops shooting an innocent guy in NYC and the second is their famous ballad which is either written about Angela Bowie, Angie Dickenson or Keith & Anita's daughter, Dandelion Angela.  Or it could be about detoxing off heroin.  Take your pick! 

Side Two does not quite live up to the standard put up on Side One.  But, really, how could it?

"Silver Train", "Hide Your Love" and "Star Star" are all songs that could be best described as Stonesy.  By this point in their career, I think they've earned the right to their own adjective!

The soulful, "Winter" is the stand-out on Side Two.  This song is so chilly that it makes you want to put on a Winter coat-- no matter what time of year it may be!  (This song was supposedly co-written by guitarist Mick Taylor who never received any songwriting credit! Boo!)

Goat's Head Soup was recorded at Dynamic Sound Studios in Kingston, Jamaica.  It would be the last Stones' record produced by Jimmy Miller (who was quite drug-addled from working with the band since '68!)  A lot of has been made over the album's title over the years.  What does it mean?  Is it Satanic?  Are these boy hiding out in Jamaica so they can do drugs during the day and conjure demons by night?  Actually, I think when the band was in Jamaica they chowed down on something known as "Mannish Water" aka "Goathead Soup".  Here's a recipe... Enjoy!

RATING: 5 Eyes in Her Skull Burning Like Coals out of 5