The Very Best of Mick Jagger (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

Arguably rock n’ roll’s most enduring lead singer, Mick Jagger has never been able to launch a truly successful solo career apart from the Rolling Stones, though it’s evident here that he tried. This collection culls highlights from his four solo albums and various one-off solo endeavors. Taken together, it’s a series of stylistic jumps centered by a most identifiable singer. The harder rock tunes are the most convincing. Jagger’s snarl always sounds most in place alongside the tougher guitar tracks of ‘God Gave Me Everything” and “Put Me in the Trash,” whereas he sounds like he’s moonlighting on the Niles Rodgers produced dance rock of “Just Another Night.” The 1970 recording of “Memo From Turner” from the film Performance, remains a highlight. The heavily bootlegged John Lennon-produced “Too Many Cooks” is a cool curio, and the previously unreleased “Charmed Life” should have made it to a finished album sooner. “Don’t Tear Me Up” and “Sweet Thing” are as solid as any latter day Stones track. Oddly, there are several tracks missing from this collection that would’ve made it even stronger and are worth seeking out: 1987’s “Throwaway” with Jeff Beck. 1992’s “Wired All Night” and Jagger’s duet with Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas for 2001’s “Visions of Paradise” come to mind.