As a means of promoting a DVD reissue of Jean-Luc Godard's 1970 film Sympathy for the Devil (which depicts the 1968 recording session that produced
the Rolling Stones' song), ABCKO Records has released this seven-track CD single, running over 38 minutes, which contains remixes of "Sympathy for the Devil" by
the Neptunes,
Fatboy Slim, and
Full Phatt (each presented in a "Radio Remix" and a "Full Length Remix"), plus the original
Stones track. Since the song has a distinctive percussion part played by
Stones drummer
Charlie Watts and conga player Rocky Dijon, it's interesting that all the remixers begin by eliminating that part. But then, that's in the nature of the "remix" business, which tends to involve newly recorded rhythm tracks.
The Neptunes retain
Mick Jagger's vocal and
Keith Richards' guitar solos, their new underlying track at first having an Indian flavor complete with sitar licks. Halfway through, a backing of acoustic guitar and string-like sounds replaces the Indian track.
Fatboy Slim likes
Nicky Hopkins' piano part and keeps it along with the vocal, laying in a characteristic stop-and-start electronica percussion part.
Full Phatt is also fond of the original piano, and his percussion track has a more bass-heavy feel. Of course, when the original recording comes on at the end, it wipes the floor with the remixers. (The CD features a three-dimensional image of
the Stones' tongue logo on the cover.) ~ William Ruhlmann