Mick Jagger, Joss Stone part of new ‘Supergroup’
It looks as if hanging around waiting for the Rolling Stones to decide on their next move is not enough to keep Mick Jagger satisfied. I know a lot of us could think of a-million-and-one things to do with all that money to keep us busy through numerous lifetimes, so Jagger’s decision to be part of a new group could be looked upon as a demonstration of the man’s true passion for music. On the other hand, maybe he feels like he has something to prove to an old friend.
Word is that the new supergroup is currently calling itself “Super Heavy.” A bit pretentious perhaps, but the name could have been chosen for reasons other than those that spring first to my mind, or is perhaps just a “beta” name (what has this Google-driven world done to my mind?) until they come up with something more to their liking. Even so, it may be a better choice than Chickenfoot!
Super Heavy is reported to include the likes of Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, Damian Marley,youngest son of the late Bob Marley, Joss Stone, the super-successful British singer-songwriter/actress and of course Mick Jagger. Indian musician and producer A.R. Rahman is also involved, but since he’s known for his abilities as a producer and a player (“The Mozart of Madras”), it’s not clear exactly what his role is within the group, although if I had to guess, I’d say he’s putting his “Mozart” skills to good use.
The group is referred to as a “secret” group, and although that’s certainly not the case any longer, that may just be due to the fact that the involved parties didn’t want all kinds of attention directed at them with the accompanying expectations born of something that could very well just be an experiment that never really goes anywhere commercially. After all, “official word” from a Jagger spokesperson is that they all thought it would be “fun” to get into a studio and play some music together. There are no known plans to release anything yet. “All a bit premature,” according to the spokesperson.
Another source says the group has completed recording an album and video and is shopping the material around to various labels. Jagger and Stewart have reportedly been working together for a while and have both worked a bit with Stone in the past.
Perhaps it is all about the “fun,” but more cynical observers might wonder if the new project could be a creative if not a somewhat in-your-face effort on Jagger’s part to show fellow Rolling Stone Keith Richards that he’s not just a Rolling Stone after all. Richards pulled few punches in his book, Life,last year when its pages revealed his opinion of Jagger’s previous solo efforts; not to mention a literal below-the-belt shot at the Rolling Stones frontman’s reproductive accessories.
That’s not to say Super Heavy is all about Jagger proving he’s a force to be reckoned with even without the old boys behind him, but perhaps it explains part of why he’s chosen to be included. Richards has been making news lately as the swashbuckling father of Johnny Depp’s Pirates of The Caribbean character and maybe old Mick is feeling a bit overshadowed these days.
Speculation about another Stones tour continues and is likely to until a new tour is announced or they decide to call it quits. Hopefully it does not turn into another Led Zeppelin situation where they fade away slowly amidst unfounded rumors, reports and indecision.
As we’ve seen with other supergroups, their formation does not always spell the end of the groups that members that are active participants in other groups. It’s too early to say it’s over for the Stones and if Sir Mick is having a good time working with other artists, more power to him. If Super Heavy is more than spokespeople claim it is, there will be more news in the pipe before too long and maybe we’ll actually get a listen.
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