Interesting notes include:
.....the album was named after a rejected runt-of-the-litter kitten Keith picked up in a rain storm in Barbados and named Voodoo.....the Lounge was Keith's corner of the studio where the cat lived during the Barbados sessions that produced the album
.....Darryl Jones replaced Bill Wyman on this album and tour.....Charlie chose him from some of the best bassists in the world who auditioned for the spot
.....there are two bootleg boxed sets that some people have said had to have come from the Stones themselves (one bootlegger even included a track of himself haggling with Mick over the price of the tapes). They are known as Voodoo Brew and Voodoo Stew and offer rehearsals and alternative mixes of the Voodoo Lounge and Stripped album recordings
.....the Stones recorded two tracks with the Chieftains while they were recording at Windmill Studios in Dublin....they are The Long Black Veil (sung by Mick) and The Rocky Road To Dublin (with the entire band)....both are on the Chieftains CD The Long Black Veil (available on amazon.com)

The Voodoo Lounge sessions occurred in late 1993 in Ireland. They started at Ron Wood's house near Dublin from July 9 - Aug 6 and Sep 4-30 and they finished up Nov 3 - Dec 10 at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin. There were 3 tracks that were not released on the album but which were released on various CD singles in the UK and US. The extra tracks were:
.....So Young
.....The Storm
.....Jump On Top Of Me

There were a number of tracks from these sessions that were not released. They include Hold On You, Got It Made, Make It Now, It's Funny, Ivy League, Honest Man, Yellow Jacket, Bump & Ride, Anything For You, Moonsoon Rangoon, Tease Me, Possesses Me, Middle C, Zulu, Samba, Alright Charlie, Another CR, Zip Mouth Angel.

This information comes from "It's Only Rock And Roll: The Ultimate Guide To The Rolling Stones" by Karnbach and Bernson and from my own collection, with some of the notes from Davis' "Old Gods Almost Dead." Both books are available from amazon.com.


The best Stones album post-Tatoo You.   August 26, 2005
J. Chasin (NYC, NY)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

The Rolling Stones are a victim of their own magnitude. It has long been far hipper to dismiss them as aging, wealthy dilitantes than it has been to admit to liking their work. And too, The Ronnie Wood years do not have the cache that the Mick Taylor early 70s work or the Brian Jones Britpop 60s work had-- even though Wood has been a Stone for 30 of their 42 years. Voodoo Lounge is, I think, unchallenged as the high point of their output post-1980, and it is a strong album from start to finish.

The best thing about Voodoo Louge is that is doesn't have a "sound"-- which is to say, it sounds like the Stones. Ronnie Wood is an outstanding guitrist and the perfect foil for Richards, and this is a guitar album first and foremost (well, it is a song album, but then a guitar album.) "Love is Strong" and "You Got Me Rocking" are radio-ready (or iPod-ready) classic riff-rockers in the best Stones tradition. "Brand New Car" is snaky and groovy and beguiling, with Jagger's nasty vocal implying far more than he actually puts in the lyric, and Woody and Keef dancing their magic weave together. "Sweethearts Together" is reminiscent of "Indian Girl" from Emotional Rescue (another underrated album with which this shares some groove and spirit.)

As is the case on most of the last 7 or so Stones albums, the Keith songs are highlights. "The Worst" is one of those poignant anti-ballad ballads he does, his ravaged and coarse voice belying the sentiment of the lyric and the quality of the songwriting. And "Thru and Thru" is just simply outstanding; used to great effect to conclude season 2 of the Sopranos cable series, it is a snarling, gritty rocker that by itself makes this album noteworthy.

The Voodoo Lounge sessions were productive ones, and there are many bootlegs floating around of outtakes, demos, and alternate versions. It is worth noting that one of these bootlegs contains an alternate version of the album, in sequence-- supposedly "Keith's mix"-- that actually surpasses the released version.

If you want to check out a later-period Stones album, this is the one. Every one has at least one or two or three tracks that make it worthwhile, but this is clearly the strongest and most consistent. From here, Bridges to Babylon is good too, less consistent but worth the effort, especially the deeper you get into the record (past the radio hits and into the art.) Steel Wheels sounds tinny to me, although there too the last few songs are worth the effort (especially Keith's gorgeous "Slipping Away.") Undercover and Dirty Work are probably the last post-1980 studio releases you need, although there again, each has a gem or three.


Voodoo With The Stones   January 9, 2004
Alan Caylow (USA)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

1994's "Voodoo Lounge" still remains one of the Rolling Stones' best later-period albums. With bassist Darryl Jones stepping in for the recently-departed Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the lads deliver a great platter of rock 'n' roll containing some of their best material since "Undercover." "Love Is Strong" is an instant Stones classic, and more great rockers follow such as "You Got Me Rocking," "Sparks Will Fly," "I Go Wild," and the funky "Suck On The Jugular." "Brand New Car" and "Moon Is Up" are also great fun, "Out Of Tears" is one of the Stones' greatest ballads in a long time, and "Blinded By Rainbows" is also very nice. Mick's voice is still strong and distinctive, and kudos also go to Richards for his fine vocal duties on "The Worst" and "Thru And Thru." Richards and Ronnie Wood serve up some classy guitar licks throughout, and Charlie Watts is still a slammin' drummer to be reckoned with. These veteran rock warhorses sound totally inspired on this one: "Voodoo Lounge" is an excellent Stones album. Rock on, guys!


Nearly Unlistenable in 2006   June 29, 2006
Rock God (Los Angeles, CA USA)
7 out of 12 found this review helpful

For a long time, I thought this was one of the best Stones releases. However, after spending quality time with "Bridges" and "Bang," I now see that this now-dated album does not even come close to competing with any albums that the band has ever released. This was hailed as a "return to form," but when was the last time you actually listened to any of these songs:

"Moon Is Up", "Sweethearts Together," "New Faces," "Blinded by Rainbows," "Suck on the Jugular," "The Worst," "Baby, Break it Down," "Mean Disposition," "Brand New Car," "Thru and Thru?"

When was the last time the Stones themselves played any of these onstage?

Really, only the first 3 songs, "Out of Tears," and "I Go Wild" are of interest to the compilers of today. If you're really dying for "Suck on the Jugular," go out and get either "Bang"'s version of it ("Look What the Cat Dragged In") or "Bridges'" version ("Juiced"). Very disappointing, 13 years later.


It's All Been Done Before   December 11, 1999
Scott W. Reed (Carmel)
6 out of 12 found this review helpful

This Stones record is a repeat of the previous six or seven. No original ideas, bad singing, lousy guitar playing, same four chords on the guitar. Only Keith's "The Worst" rates high in my book.