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Rolling Stones songs: The Storm

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Minutes turn to hours/ And hours turn into days/ The storm started howlin’/ I’m out of my brain…

*B-side of ‘Love is Strong’
Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: Ronnie Wood’s Sandymount Studios, Kildare, Ireland, July 9-Aug. 6 and Sept. 1993; Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland, Nov. 3-Dec. 10 1993 ; Don Was’ Studio and A&M Studios, Los Angeles, USA, Jan. 15-Apr. 1994
Guest musicians: Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (piano), Bernard Fowler and Ivan Neville (backing vocals)
*Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012

From the The Rolling Stones – All the Songs, The Story Behind Every Track book:
The storm in question seems to have broken mainly inside the head of Mick Jagger, who is unsurpassed when he adopts the guise of an old bluesman of the Deep South. The storm started howlin’, I’m out of my brain, he sings, Felt a mighty rumble, comin’ from the ground. Once again, Mick Jagger delivers a spellbinding harmonica part. Although not included on Voodoo Lounge, a place was found for this excellent blues alongside “Love Is Strong” and “So Young” on the first single to be taken from the album.

Mick Jagger would explain that on the last day dedicated to Voodoo Lounge —when everybody was getting ready to wrap up the sessions at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin—Don Was reminded him that they still needed three B-sides for the forthcoming singles. Jagger, who had never intentionally written a B-side, told the producer he was tired and would not have time to write the tracks. Was, a pragmatist, suggested that the singer install himself in a corner of the cafeteria and come up with something on the spot.

Jagger duly returned a short while later with “The Storm,” “Jump on Top of Me,” and “I’m Gonna Drive”! He went straight into the studio with the rest of the group, recorded the backing tracks in a single take, and announced that he would finish the lyrics later. After doing so, he recorded them at the A&M Studios in Los Angeles at the beginning of 1994. It is remarkable to think that in 1964, he and Keith really had to rack their brains to come up with some songs of their own under pressure from Andrew Loog Oldham…

“The Storm” is an electric blues that might have come straight out of Chicago. Ron Wood is on slide, most probably his Zemaitis, and shadows the main vocal line in the finest tradition of the genre. Jagger’s singing, with vibrato, is excellent. He also plays a Dobro part on Ronnie’s “Uncle Harvey,” and delivers some superb phrases on the harmonica. Keith plays electric rhythm, while the bass seems to be played by someone other than Darryl Jones (possibly Don Was?). Chuck’s piano is buried in the mix, and Charlie offers support with brushes.

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