Dirty Work hasn't been in the CD player since I transfered a couple of the better tracks to my i-Pod a cople of years ago - and it had been a couple of years prior that, when I last actually listened to the release. It's shite... utter shite.

Harlem Shuffle....
Dang, I'd forgotten about that. I remember thinking it odd that after three years and Mick's solos, they would release a cover for their first single.
They'd done it before (Aint to Proud..), but not as the lead-in to a new Stones album after all that time.
I do remember the buzz of a new Stones album, but even for an obsessed fan, Jagger's solo shenanigans had me doubtful of what Dirty Work would be. I have not listened to it since 1986.

Some Guy wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2011 at 6:55pm:


...As a Jagger solo track, maybe.

Take off the three worst songs - Winning Ugly, Back to Zero, Fight*...

Polish up the three best outtakes - What Am I Gonna Do with Your Love, Too Much For Me, Strictly Memphis...

Put some better lyrics on Hold Back...

...And it's geeeeeeen-yezzzzzzzzz !!


*Gazza hates me already...

texile wrote on Feb 23^rd, 2011 at 6:43pm:


IORR was the first single off the IORR album. Aint Too Proud To Beg was the follow up - in the US Wwhilst two singles was the norm on all US albums after they formed Rolling Stones Records, the UK didnt get a second single until 1978, when we got 'Respectable' (they released 'Beast of Burden' in the US instead, and then a third US-only single, 'Shattered').

The 2nd singles from all the albums from Sticky Fingers through Black and Blue (ie, Wild Horses, Happy, Heartbreaker, Aint Too Proud to Beg, Hot Stuff) were only released in the USA.

'Dirty Work' is also the only studio album unrepresented on '40 Licks'. All the others have their main 'hits' included on that compilation. I dont think I'm being cynical in assuming it was solely because the hit from that album happened to be a cover version and they could substitute it for another Jagger-Richards song off another album which would mean more royalties. It's one of two quite glaring omissions on that release - the other being 'Little Red Rooster', which was a number 1 in the UK and the only bonafide blues record in history to be a chart topper anywhere in the world.  Unfortunately, its also a cover, so there was obviously some kind of agenda when it comes to picking songs for that release to minimise the amount of cover versions that had to be included!

polytoxic wrote on Feb 24^th, 2011 at 8:58am:

http://mirroreyes.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/michael-jordan-slam-dunk-contest.j...

Dirty Work was the first Stones album that I could buy new for myself.  I was disappointed.  All that anticipation, especially after what mom did to Undercover.  Anyway I had just moved out, took it home, dropped the needle and C'mon Man!
It sounded overdone - still does.  Like when you know you have over salted the stew and try every thing in the world to fix but it still tastes like crap.

I still like One Hit to the Body and Sleep Tonight.  I played Sleep Tonight to death.  I love the way it switches from major to minor chords on the piano. 

Bill Wyman made the comment in 89 that Mick wrote his songs and Keith wrote his songs and some form or other of the band recorded them.  I think it was on MTV when they had that Stones weekend for the 89 tour.  It has stuck in my mind because it explained why Dirty Work sounded so bad.

The Undercover story -
I was 15 when it came out.  Mom had gone through this religious thing and HATED the Stones. Deep, burning, HATRED.  They were scum and the root of all evil.  No kidding.  This from a woman who loved Elvis. And to this day no one knows why she hated the Stones the way she did.  She said they were the devil himself.

My best friend knew the Stones were my favorite band and bought Undercover for me for Christmas.  Naturally, she got it on vinyl which is harder to hide.  Mom found it, burned the album in the wood burning stove and left the cover for me to find.  I was grounded for three months for daring to bring that into her house even after my best friend and her mother tried to soothe things over.  That's the short version of the story.

Gazza wrote on Feb 24^th, 2011 at 7:03am:


I knew Aint too Proud was the second single, that's why I thought it was strange they would  release Harlem Shuffle for the first single ...
Seemed like of lazy....and by-the-numbers.....

AngieBlue wrote on Feb 24^th, 2011 at 1:51pm:

Now that's rock & roll

" the horrid production, mix, vocals, echo, etc. turned it to shite.  "

<  ----- Amen !!!!!


************* ODE TO DIRTY WORK !!!!!! **************


" Man looks into the abyss and sees the Dirty Work Album staring back at him ;
It is at THIS point that man finds his character ......
.....and THAT is what keeps Man out of the Friggin Abyss !!!!!  "


The Joey ( March 5th , 1999 )


***** { Tremendous Applause and standing Ovation for The Legendary Joeykins !!!! } *****

" I LOVE YOU ALL !!!!!! "


O'kins !!!! ®

AngieBlue wrote on Feb 24^th, 2011 at 1:51pm:


God love ya, Ange - Ya lived the R'n'R dream right there.

I have held off responding to this thread...but in all honesty...

Underated???

I am surprised it is rated at all!!!