The Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels (LP) (Sealed/Mint)

The Rolling Stones – Steel Wheels
LP, Album | Rolling Stones Records | Cat. No. OC 45333 | US | 1989

Factory sealed original 1989 US pressing — vinyl presumed Mint (M) due to sealed condition; sleeve remains factory sealed. Steel Wheels (1989) marked the Rolling Stones’ commercial comeback after a period of internal conflict and Mick Jagger’s solo detour — the first record with the full classic lineup (Jagger, Richards, Wood, Wyman, Watts) since Tattoo You (1981), and the album that launched the Steel Wheels Tour, the highest-grossing concert tour in history to that point. Produced by The Glimmer Twins (Jagger/Richards) and Chris Kimsey — Kimsey had engineered and produced Stones records since Some Girls (1978) and co-produced Tattoo You. Recorded at AIR Studios, Montserrat (George Martin’s Caribbean studio); mixed at Olympic Studios, London (where the Stones recorded through their classic period) and The Hit Factory, New York; mastered at Sterling Sound, New York by Ted Jensen — one of the most respected mastering engineers in rock and pop, whose credits include Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and the Rolling Stones across multiple albums. The DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) matrix notation (DMM-2A / DMM-1A) indicates this pressing used the DMM process — a high-fidelity cutting technique that transfers audio directly to a copper master rather than lacquer, associated with improved high-frequency response and reduced noise. Art direction and design by John Warwicker (co-founder of Tomato, the influential British design collective). Photography by Enrique Badulescu. Keyboards and orchestration by Matt Clifford; keyboards and piano by Chuck Leavell (the Stones’ long-serving keyboardist). Brass by The Kick Horns. African instruments by Farafina; Moroccan instruments by Bachir Attar and the Master Musicians Of Jajouka — the legendary Moroccan trance ensemble that Brian Jones recorded in 1968; their presence here is a direct reference to the Stones’ deep roots in world music. Backing vocalists include Lisa Fischer and Bernard Fowler, both of whom became fixtures on Stones tours for decades. Mixed Emotions (A2 — US #5), Rock And A Hard Place (B1 — US #23), Almost Hear You Sigh (B3 — US #50). Manufactured by Columbia Records / CBS Records Inc.

Condition

• Media: Mint (M) — factory sealed; vinyl unplayed
• Sleeve: Mint (M) — factory sealed

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Sad Sad Sad (3:35)
A2. Mixed Emotions (4:37)
A3. Terrifying (4:50)
A4. Hold On To Your Hat (3:32)
A5. Hearts For Sale (4:38)
A6. Blinded By Love (4:37)

Side B
B1. Rock And A Hard Place (5:25)
B2. Can’t Be Seen (4:08)
B3. Almost Hear You Sigh (4:33)
B4. Continental Drift (5:13)
B5. Break The Spell (3:06)
B6. Slipping Away (4:28)

Credits
Produced By: The Glimmer Twins (Jagger/Richards) & Chris Kimsey
Mastered By: Ted Jensen (Sterling Sound, New York)
Keyboards & Orchestration: Matt Clifford | Keys & Piano: Chuck Leavell
Backing Vocals: Lisa Fischer, Bernard Fowler, Sarah Dash, Tessa Niles
Brass: The Kick Horns | Moroccan Instruments: Master Musicians Of Jajouka
Art Direction & Design: John Warwicker | Photography: Enrique Badulescu

Details

• Format: LP, Album (DMM — Direct Metal Mastering)
• Label: Rolling Stones Records (OC 45333)
• Country: US (Columbia Records / CBS Records Inc.)
• Released: 1989
• Weight: 230 g
• Recorded: AIR Studios, Montserrat
• Mixed: Olympic Studios, London & The Hit Factory, New York
• Mastered: Sterling Sound, New York (Ted Jensen)
• Style: Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock

Photos shown are of the actual item. As this copy is factory sealed, interior condition is presumed Mint based on sealed status.