Jamming with Edward!

Lore & Background

The album originated from a session during the Let It Bleed recordings when Keith Richards was absent. The reason for his absence is uncertain: commonly believed to be a walkout over Ry Cooder's involvement, but producer Glyn Johns attributed it to a phone call from girlfriend Anita Pallenberg. The nickname 'Edward' came from earlier studio conversation between Nicky Hopkins and Brian Jones. Hopkins also contributed the cover art.

Reader's Guide

Jamming with Edward! is a curio in the Rolling Stones catalog, capturing a spontaneous, informal side of the band. Critics have noted its questionable audio quality—Jagger's vocals were sung into a harmonica microphone, resulting in a muffled, distorted sound. The album showcases the rhythm section of Watts and Wyman, as well as Hopkins' piano work, which many reviewers praised. While some dismissed it as a throwaway joke, others valued it as a behind-the-scenes glimpse. The release was delayed due to an expletive on the back cover, partially covered with stars. It was remastered and reissued by Virgin Records in 1995.

Did You Know?

• The album was recorded in a single night on April 23, 1969, during the Let It Bleed sessions.
• The nickname 'Edward' for Nicky Hopkins originated from a conversation with Brian Jones.
• The album's release was delayed because of an expletive on the back cover art, which was partially covered with stars.
• Mick Jagger described the album as 'a nice piece of bullshit' in the original liner notes.