Torn and Frayed
Encyclopedia
"Torn and Frayed" is a song by the Rolling Stones
featured on their 1972 album Exile on Main St.
Written by Mick Jagger
and Keith Richards
, "Torn and Frayed" is called "a twangy, three-chord honky tonk, but not typically country... the progression of the chords brings gospel music to mind", by Bill Janovitz
in his review of the song. The song comes from side two of Exile, the side known for its acoustic folk and country tunes. Janovitz continues, "The music comes as close to definitive country-rock or Stax-like country-soul as anything from the era, barring Gram Parsons
— an immediate influence on the Stones." Gram Parsons was present for the recording sessions of Exile at Nellcôte
, and "Torn and Frayed" is perhaps the most overtly Parsons-influenced cut the Stones ever recorded, with a country-soul flavour reminiscent of the Parsons-fronted Flying Burrito Brothers' 1969 debut album The Gilded Palace of Sin
.
In fact, Al Perkins
, a good friend and collaborator of Parsons', appears on the track and performs the song's pedal steel guitar
. Jagger performs lead vocals and is accompanied by Richards on backing. Both Richards and Mick Taylor
provide the song's base of acoustic guitar. Taylor also contributes the song's bass and Charlie Watts
performs drums. Organ is performed by Jim Price
and piano is played by Nicky Hopkins
. Recording took place at Los Angeles' Sunset Sound Studios between the months of December 1971 and March 1972.
Janovitz says of the lyrics, "'Torn and Frayed' follow a vagabond-like guitar player whose 'coat is torn and frayed...'"
"Torn and Frayed" was performed by the Stones during the 1972 tour of America
and was reintroduced to setlists during the 2002 leg of the Licks Tour
. In 2009, it was covered by The Black Crowes
on Warpaint Live
. The song was also covered by Phish during their cover of Exile on Main St on 31 October 2009. The song later appeared in another of their live shows in Cincinnati on 21 November, as well as during their Superball IX festival.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
featured on their 1972 album Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St.
Exile on Main St. is the tenth British and 12th American studio album by English rock band The Rolling Stones. Released as a double LP in May 1972, it draws on many genres including rock and roll, blues, soul, R&B, gospel and country. The release of Exile on Main St. met with mixed reviews, but is...
Written by Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
and Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, "Torn and Frayed" is called "a twangy, three-chord honky tonk, but not typically country... the progression of the chords brings gospel music to mind", by Bill Janovitz
Bill Janovitz
Bill Janovitz is best known as the singer and guitarist of the alternative rock band Buffalo Tom.-History:After enrolling at the University of Massachusetts, Janovitz formed Buffalo Tom with fellow students Chris Colbourn and Tom Maginnis. A friendship with J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr...
in his review of the song. The song comes from side two of Exile, the side known for its acoustic folk and country tunes. Janovitz continues, "The music comes as close to definitive country-rock or Stax-like country-soul as anything from the era, barring Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
— an immediate influence on the Stones." Gram Parsons was present for the recording sessions of Exile at Nellcôte
Nellcote
Nellcôte is a 19th century sixteen-room mansion on the waterfront of Villefranche-sur-Mer in the Côte d'Azur region of southern France...
, and "Torn and Frayed" is perhaps the most overtly Parsons-influenced cut the Stones ever recorded, with a country-soul flavour reminiscent of the Parsons-fronted Flying Burrito Brothers' 1969 debut album The Gilded Palace of Sin
The Gilded Palace of Sin
The Gilded Palace of Sin is an album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1969. It continued Gram Parsons' and Chris Hillman's pioneering work in modern country music, fusing traditional sources like folk and country with other forms of popular music like gospel, soul,...
.
In fact, Al Perkins
Al Perkins
Al Perkins is a Texas-born American guitarist. The Gibson guitar company called Perkins "the world's most influential Dobro player", and even began producing an "Al Perkins Signature" Dobro in 2001 - designed and autographed by Perkins....
, a good friend and collaborator of Parsons', appears on the track and performs the song's pedal steel guitar
Pedal steel guitar
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
. Jagger performs lead vocals and is accompanied by Richards on backing. Both Richards and Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
provide the song's base of acoustic guitar. Taylor also contributes the song's bass and Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:...
performs drums. Organ is performed by Jim Price
Jim Price (musician)
Jim Price was, together with Bobby Keys and Jim Horn, one of the most in demand horn session players of the 1970s. He toured extensively with The Rolling Stones from 1970 until 1973, including their 1972 American Tour, and appears on the albums, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and Goats Head Soup...
and piano is played by Nicky Hopkins
Nicky Hopkins
Nicholas Christian "Nicky" Hopkins was an English pianist and organist.He recorded and performed on noted British and American popular music recordings of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s as a session musician....
. Recording took place at Los Angeles' Sunset Sound Studios between the months of December 1971 and March 1972.
Janovitz says of the lyrics, "'Torn and Frayed' follow a vagabond-like guitar player whose 'coat is torn and frayed...'"
"Torn and Frayed" was performed by the Stones during the 1972 tour of America
The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972
The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972, often referred to as the S.T.P. Tour , was a much-publicized and much-written-about concert tour of The United States and Canada in June and July 1972 by The Rolling Stones...
and was reintroduced to setlists during the 2002 leg of the Licks Tour
Licks Tour
The Licks Tour was a lengthy, worldwide concert tour held during 2002 and 2003 by The Rolling Stones. Its start was somewhat concurrent with the compilation album Forty Licks, which was released on October 1, 2002....
. In 2009, it was covered by The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
on Warpaint Live
Warpaint Live
Warpaint Live is a live album by American southern rock band The Black Crowes, released on April 28, 2009. This is the first Black Crowes live album since Freak 'n' Roll in 2006 and it features live versions of the whole Warpaint album. Recorded live on March 20, 2008 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles,...
. The song was also covered by Phish during their cover of Exile on Main St on 31 October 2009. The song later appeared in another of their live shows in Cincinnati on 21 November, as well as during their Superball IX festival.