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Rolling Stones unreleased: Trouble In Mind
Hidden in the shadows of Between the Buttons, Trouble In Mind captures The Rolling Stones at their most relaxed and curious. Recorded during the band’s late-1966 Olympic Sound Studios sessions, this unreleased gem strips away ambition in favor of pure musical joy. Rooted in classic blues but filtered through London’s swinging creative chaos, the track reveals a band reconnecting with its influences while quietly reshaping them. Brian Jones’ kazoo-led twist, Ian Stewart’s piano swagger, and the loose, jam-driven atmosphere turn Trouble In Mind into a snapshot of the Stones having fun—proof that some of their most revealing moments happened off the official record.
From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012: A Richard M. Jones (trad) standard recorded by Sonny Terry and Walter Brown ‘Brownie’ McGhee on their 1963 album Brownie’s Blues. The song is led by Brian Jones on kazoo. Ian Stewart was invited to do the first chorus, tyhen they all join in on the riff and see what happens. It rambled and rolled, a studio jam. Jack Nitzsche joined the Stones for these London sessions which would complete the Between the Buttons album and a few more recordings were made besides.
During the chilly late months of 1966 The Rolling Stones found themselves deep in the creative trenches at Olympic Sound Studios in London. While working on their Between the Buttons album, they let loose with a spontaneous studio jam that never made it to the final cut: Trouble In Mind. Originally penned by blues legend Richard M. Jones and famously recorded by Sonny Terry and Walter Brown ‘Brownie’ McGhee in 1963, this track gave the Stones a playground to explore their roots with a playful twist.
What sets this version apart is Brian Jones’ unusual choice to lead with a kazoo, giving the song a quirky, whimsical feel that contrasts with their usual gritty rock sound. Inviting pianist Ian Stewart to take the first chorus, the band then dives into a loose, rolling riff that captures the energy of a band having pure fun in the studio. Alongside them was Jack Nitzsche, whose presence during these sessions added an extra layer of texture to the Stones’ evolving sound.
A Spontaneous Jam with Blues Roots
Trouble In Mind wasn’t just another track; it was a raw, free-flowing jam that embodied the spirit of experimentation during the Between the Buttons sessions. The song rambled and rolled, reflecting the band’s ability to blend traditional blues influences with their own electric edge. Though it didn’t make the album, this recording offers fans a rare glimpse into the Stones’ process—a moment where the band set aside perfection to embrace spontaneity and camaraderie. It’s a snapshot of a legendary group not just making music, but playing with it, honoring the blues tradition while pushing their sound into new, unexpected directions.
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