Rolling Stones release alternate edit of ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’

The Rolling Stones are emptying the archives for the deluxe reissue of 1971’s classic “Sticky Fingers.”

To tease the release, first they sent out a pristine acoustic version of “Wild Horses,” one of the staples of their catalog. Now the band has posted an alternate mix of fan favorite “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.”

Once again, it’s a striking, pared-down mix that reasserts the Stones’ prowess as writers and players. Listen and watch the lyric video above.

This version buffs up and strips back the production, for a clean and clear sound shorn of the original’s song-ending jam session. It still packs plenty of heat -- the new mix lets Mick Jagger’s wails come through with new desperation, and the band is as dime-turn tight as ever.

Perhaps one shouldn’t be surprised that a band at its creative peak generated so much quality extra material. But this reissue of “Sticky Fingers” is shaping up to be more than just a quality repackaging of a great album. It’s becoming an essential alternate-universe LP version of that same record.

The reissued “Sticky Fingers” is out June 9. With every new track, it’s clear that this is a required purchase for serious Stones fans, and a great introduction for younger ones.

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