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Rolling Stones songs: Almost Hear You Sigh
*Click for MORE ROLLING STONES SONGS 1962-PRESENT

I can feel your tongue on mine/ Silky smooth like wine…

Written by: Jagger/Richards/Jordan
Recorded: Air Studios, Montserrat, March 29-April ; Olympic Sound Studios, May 15-June 29 1989
Guest musicians: Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford (keyboards), Sarah Dash, Lisa Fischer and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals), Luis Jardin (percussion), The Kick Horns (brasses)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

From Songfacts:
Keith Richards wrote this with drummer Steve Jordan for his solo album Talk Is Cheap. He decided to record it with The Stones after Mick Jagger changed some of the lyrics when he and Richards met in Barbados to write for Steel Wheels in 1989.

Jagger’s brother, Chris, helped with the lyrics, which are about a difficult breakup. He is credited as “Literary Editor.”

From the The Rolling Stones – All the Songs book:
“Almost Hear You Sigh” is a ballad written by Keith Richards in
collaboration with the drummer Steve Jordan for Keith’s first solo album
Talk Is Cheap, although not ultimately used. Keith proposed the song to
Mick Jagger when they got together in Barbados. The singer was won over
by it, but nevertheless changed some of the words. I can almost hear you
sigh/I can almost hear you cry/On every crowded street/All the places we
would meet. The narrator cannot get over the departure of his loved one,
whose kisses were silky smooth like wine, and begs her to come back.
“Almost Hear You Sigh” was the A-side of the third single from Steel
Wheels. Released in January 1990 with “Break the Spell” as its B-side, it
progressed as far as number 31 on the British charts on July 7 and number
50 in the United States. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the
category “best vocal rock performance by a duo or group” in 1991.

This is only the second time the Glimmer Twins had shared the writing of a
song with a musician from outside the band. After Chuck Leavell with
“Back to Zero” on Dirty Work, the honor this time goes to Steve Jordan,
who was also the co-producer of Keith’s solo album. “Almost Hear You
Sigh” is one of the triumphs of Steel Wheels. This rock number showcases
Mick’s excellent performance, the singer having rediscovered his full range
of vocal expression. It is also an opportunity for Keith to unveil a recent
acquisition, his sublime 1956 Velázquez, a classical guitar with an
exceptionally beautiful tone recorded by Potter using a Sanken mic. He
plays a few solo phrases on it in the intro and again at 2:58. Keith seems a
little reserved in his phrasing, as if not yet fully at ease with the instrument.
He also plays a rhythm part on his 5-string Telecaster through his vintage
Fender Twin amp, doubling this in places with another Telecaster, this time
a 6-string one. Ronnie also supports him on rhythm, before in turn playing a
very good electric solo, probably on a Strat (3:35). Bill and Charlie are as
brilliant as ever, assisted by Luís Jardim on percussion (congas,
tambourine). The various keyboards played by Leavell and Clifford
contribute to the song’s wonderful textures, as do the excellent and
indispensable backing vocals.