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The Rolling Stones’ classic album “Exile on Main Street” is to be re-released in May with additional never-before-heard tracks.

The new “Exile on Main Street” release will include 10 unreleased tracks recorded during the “Exile” era, including “Plundered My Soul,” “Dancing in the Light,” “Following the River” and “Pass The Wine”, as well as alternate versions of “Soul Survivor” and “Loving Cup.”

“Exile on Main Street” was originally released as a double LP in 1972 and comprised material recorded between 1968 and 1972. It was The Rolling Stones’ tenth studio album and hit number one on the album charts in both the US and UK.Despite receiving mixed reviews early on, the album’s reputation has definitely grown and it is now regarded as one of the best in the band’s catalogue.

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number seven in its list of 500 best albums of all time.

Mick Jagger was hinting as far back as 2003 that a new version of the album might occur:

“Exile is not one of my favourite albums, although I think the record does have a particular feeling. I’m not too sure how great the songs are, but put together it’s a nice piece. However, when I listen to Exile it has some of the worst mixes I’ve ever heard. I’d love to remix the record, not just because of the vocals, but because generally I think it sounds lousy.”

The official announcement says nothing about whether the songs will receive a remix, but Jagger’s views on the existing mix suggest this is likely.

The “Exile on Main Street” release will be available as a deluxe edition, comprising the original 18-track album and 10 additional tracks, or a super deluxe release which also includes a copy on vinyl, a documentary DVD, and a 50-page collectors book.

“Stones in Exile” documentary

“Fans of The Rolling Stones will also soon be enjoying a documentary, “Stones in Exile,” which will feature never-before-seen archival footage and interviews from the early 1970s. The film was produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker John Battsek and directed by Stephen Kijak.”Stones in Exile” will appear on US Network television and on BBC Worldwide later this year.

In May, 1972, The Rolling Stones held rehearsals at the Rialto Theater in Montreux, Switzerland for their upcoming US tour. Forty-five songs were rehearsed, including tracks from “Exile on Main Street.” Here’s “Loving Cup.”

The second track on “Exile” was “Rip this Joint.” Here’s a rocking live version from 1972.

The 2009 Rolling Stones remasters

“Exile on Main Street” is the latest in a series of remastered Rolling Stones’ classic albums that have been released. Last year saw the release of 13 albums:

• Sticky Fingers
• Goats Head Soup
• It’s Only Rock ”N’ Roll
• Black and Blue
• Some Girls
• Emotional Rescue
• Tattoo You
• Undercover
• Dirty Work
• Steel Wheels
• Voodoo Lounge
• Bridges to Babylon
• A Bigger Bang