Listen to the Rolling Stones’ Remastered Version of “Brown Sugar” Featuring Eric Clapton
The Rolling Stones have already shared alternate versions of “Wild Horses,” “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” “Bitch,” and “Dead Flowers” to generate excitement for their forthcoming rerelease of Sticky Fingers, so it’s no surprise that they’ve now posted an alternate recording of “Brown Sugar.” What is surprising is that the Stones have never officially released this version of the song—which benefits from Eric Clapton’s star power—before now. (Although, as Rolling Stone notes, it’s been widely bootlegged.)
Recorded at Keith Richards’ birthday party in December 1970, this iteration of “Brown Sugar” features more prominent vocal harmonies and a freer vibe than the recording that ended up on the 1971 album. Lest you fear that the reissue of a recording that many fans have heard already means that the Stones are scraping from the bottom of the barrel, rest assured that the “super deluxe” reissue of Sticky Fingers will also include 18 live recordings from the Stones’ 1971 tour, plus remastered versions of the 10 tracks Stones disciples know and love.