Slave is my favorite song from Tattoo You, an album filled with songs inspired by the character from Fantasy Island. Mick has that laid back Miss You quality to his vocals, dig that spoken word section about stealing something off the shelves, pass by the liquor store and be back by quarter to twelve. Amazing. Then at 1:56 he does that duh I'm Mick Jagger yeah baby yeah baby. Hilariously goofus. Boss! Boss! What is Meek Jahgairz fantasy? Well, Tattoo, he is tired of being a slave to the entertainment world and making lots of money. He wants to experience how his life would have turned out if he'd decided to become a physical education teacher like his father.
The music is a sweet funky groove that rolls along all slow and relaxed. The music is totally Tattoo You-ish, I swear the album sounds radically different from all their others, although there is definitely some Emotional Rescue in it (She's So Cold), and Some Girls (Lies). The drums are so cracking loud and out in front and everything is kind of in your face. The album is made up of songs they had recorded already, so maybe the additional overdubs gave it this sound. I haven't read up on it.
Slave features the excellent Billy Preston on keyboards and the mighty saxophone of Sonny Rollins, a spectacular treat. There are so many fantastic ensemble moments, it's hard to pick one. But if I had to choose, I would say Sonny's sax screech at 4:05 is the peak moment. That's the whoa! moment. The moment when Tattoo yells, ze plane! ze plane! Unlike Mick, Tattoo loved being a slave...to Mr. Rourke.
Mick: "Hey Keith, look how uncool Bill and Charlie are compared to us. Wouldn't it be funny if we made Ronnie go hang out with them?"
Keith: "Nice jacket, Mick. Maybe you should go hang out with those guys."
Mick: "Oh Keith, you're so funny."
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