WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN FOR BAD PEOPLE

METAMORPHOSIS by The Rolling Stones (ABKCO, 1975)

Where to begin? Briefly, Allen Klein (1931-2009), the notorious wheeler-dealer who managed both the Beatles and the Stones, put out this collection in order to grab some shekels during a contentious negotiation with his disaffected cash cows. (Jagger studied at the London School of Economics, so he had gotten wise, but not early enough). Klein’s bagatelle paid handsomely - the album made it to #8 on the US Billboard chart. The Stones got some back royalty payments, but couldn’t break free of Klein’s ironclad contract. 

Mr. Klein’s portfolio was extensive, and a mire I don’t want to wade through here. Suffice it to say that this collection of oddities is worth experiencing, especially if you are a die-hard Stones fan. Even the Kafkaesque cover art elicits morbid delight. 

Compiled originally by Bill Wyman, the Stone’s bassist, the album is comprised of some demos intended for other artists, and outtakes from the Beggar’s Banquet, Let it Bleed, and Between the Buttons sessions. Versions of the familiar “Out of Time” and “Heart of Stone” are especially fascinating here, embellished with orchestra, choral voices, and pedal steel.  Listening to Mick sing Stevie Wonder’s “I Don’t Know Why” made me smile. 

Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Nicky Hopkins, and other luminaries are lending their support here, and the musicianship is great throughout. In fact, as the track list progressed, I had the feeling that I was on a safari across a vast Savanna of the Stone’s influences and influence, and entertained the quixotic notion that their trash had become treasure in the hands of a mercenary.