In a recent interview, “Hackney Diamonds” producer Andrew Watt gives interesting insights into the studio life of the Rolling Stones – in particular Mick Jagger’s vocal recording process.
Mick Jagger is not only one of the greatest frontmen in music history – he also has his own unique way of approaching vocal recording. Producer Andrew Watt (who is responsible for the new Rolling Stones album “Hackney Diamonds”) spoke about this with the British “Guardian“ – and explained, among other things, that the 80-year-old usually needs four takes – and in each take he is dressed a little less.
“The first take, the second take the sweater is still on,” says Watt. “At the end of the second take the sweater is taken off. Two more takes. As he sings, he unbuttons his shirt and then he’s in the T-shirt. From this point on, it’s time to get down to business, says Watt: “If he’s wearing the damn T-shirt and sitting at the microphone, then be careful. This is 100 percent Jagger. He becomes the thing you see on stage. He shakes when he sings. He’s dripping with sweat.”
“Not Dylan enough”: Watt on Jagger’s “anti-singing”
What’s also interesting about Watt’s comments is that he describes Jagger’s vocals as “anti-singing”. Apparently Jagger is inspired by Bob Dylan. Watt said: “Both Mick and Keith said, ‘That’s not Dylan enough.’ It’s anti-singing, it’s almost like speaking. He has so much attention to detail in his voice that it’s not too good. That is so cool. Every other singer I’ve worked with says, ‘I can sing that better.’ He’s the opposite: ‘I could throw that away.'”