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Rolling Stones unreleased: Monsoon Ragoon
THE SECRET STONES JAM: MONSOON RAGOON Monsoon Ragoon is pure Rolling Stones behind-the-scenes magic. Recorded across Ireland in ’93, Jagger, Richards, and Wood play around with guitars while Chuck Leavell adds tasty keyboard touches. The track never made Voodoo Lounge, but that’s part of the fun—it’s raw, experimental, and full of spontaneous energy. You get a peek at the Stones letting loose, trying new textures, and showing that even their unreleased jams have that unmistakable rock heartbeat fans love.
Written by: Jagger/Richards Recorded: Sandymount Studios (Ronnie Wood’s house), St. Kildare, Ireland, July-Sept. 1993; Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland, Nov-Dec. 1993 (Voodoo Lounge sessions) Guest musicians: Chuck Leavell (keyboards)
The sessions for Monsoon Ragoon spanned much of 1993, from the summer months in Sandymount to late-year recordings at Windmill Lane. This timeline allowed the band to refine ideas and experiment with different sonic textures, from Jagger’s vocal phrasing to Richards and Wood’s interplay on guitars. Chuck Leavell’s keyboards complement the track, highlighting melodic nuances and rhythmic flourishes that enrich the Stones’ core rock sound.
The Charm of the Unreleased
Though it never appeared on Voodoo Lounge or subsequent compilations, Monsoon Ragoon demonstrates the Stones’ willingness to explore beyond their known catalog. The track embodies a blend of spontaneity, collaboration, and creative risk-taking that makes unreleased songs like this one so compelling—showing that even outtakes hold the unmistakable heartbeat of the Rolling Stones. The track features Chuck Leavell on keyboards, adding texture and depth to the arrangement. Even as an unreleased gem, it reflects the Stones’ trademark blend of rock instincts and studio experimentation, showing them pushing musical boundaries while still retaining their unmistakable swagger. Its relative obscurity gives fans a sense of intimacy, almost as if you’re peeking into a private moment of the band crafting music away from the spotlight, unpolished but full of raw energy and ideas.
Recording and Musical Texture
The sessions for Monsoon Ragoon spanned much of 1993, from the summer months in Sandymount to late-year recordings at Windmill Lane. This timeline allowed the band to refine ideas and experiment with different sonic textures, from Jagger’s vocal phrasing to Richards and Wood’s interplay on guitars. Chuck Leavell’s keyboards complement the track, highlighting melodic nuances and rhythmic flourishes that enrich the Stones’ core rock sound.
The Charm of the Unreleased
Though it never appeared on Voodoo Lounge or subsequent compilations (but in bootlegs like Voodoo Stew), Monsoon Ragoondemonstrates the Stones’ willingness to explore beyond their known catalog. The track embodies a blend of spontaneity, collaboration, and creative risk-taking that makes unreleased songs like this one so compelling—showing that even outtakes hold the unmistakable heartbeat of the Rolling Stones.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
