You’re never too old to be a rocker. ‘The Stones’ prove this once again with their first original work since 2005. On the long-awaited Hackney Diamonds The Rolling Stones still deliver. Some powerful rocksongs, memorable guest artists and collaborations with the new generation. Hackney Diamonds contains it all. Will this be their final goodbye?
Suddenly The Rolling Stones were back with single ‘Angry’. A video starring Sydney Sweeney and an album presentation with Jimmy Fallon attracted lots of media attention. Rightly so. With the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, fans were wondering if The Rolling Stones would continue as a band. Their definite answer is here: yes!
Previous to the album’s release, two singles were given to the world. With ‘Angry’ the band let their original sound hear. Even though the track is brand new, their sound is unmistakable. Mick Jagger’s British rockvoice and Keith Richard’s recognizable guitarriffs.
So different is second single ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder. The spontaneously created track, they ran into Gaga and Wonder at the studio and asked them to join, is the opposite of ‘Angry’. A soulfull and jazzy song where both Jagger and Gaga let their pipes speak for itself. It is an ode to their late drummer Charlie Watts. The result is a beautiful, strong song with a duration of 7:22. By far the longest track on Hackney Diamonds, nevertheless its still too short.
Celebrating The Rolling Stones on Hackney Diamonds
Next to producer Don Was The Stones have worked with Andrew Watt. A young producer who has previously worked with Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and 5 Seconds of Summer. Lately Watt has made it a habit of helping old rockers with their comeback. Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and Elton John all recommended Watt as a producer. He did deliver. Whilst keeping the original Stones sound, he managed to deliver a contemporary rockalbum.
Jagger, Richards and Ronnie Wood did call in the help of some big names. Next to Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney also make an appearance. Both are heard on instruments only. McCartney’s bassline is an important piece on ‘Bite My Head Off’. John plays piano on ‘Get Close’ and ‘Live by the Sword’. The latter is a special track for true Stones-fans. It is one of the two tracks on which Charlie Watts plays the drums. The presence of original bandmate Bill Wyman on bass makes this track memorable based only on lineup. A true 1970s Stones production.
Their last album?
It may be one of the largest careerspans in rockhistory. Since 1964 The Rolling Stones have been prominent part in music. Still performing at 80 years old, the Brits have no intention of quitting yet. However, it seems they are looking back on their musical careers on Hackney Diamonds.
The Stones are also known for their blues (cover) albums. ‘Dreamy Skies’ and ‘Driving Me Too Hard’ might be odes to their love of blues. Hackney Diamonds not only gives a look back on a career spanning nearly 60 years, it lets you wonder how good these oldies sound at their ages. Especially Mick Jagger. Vocally he sounds like he is not a day over 50. He stands his ground next to Lady Gaga’s vocal firework on ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ and vocally excels on ‘Depending On You’ and ‘Driving Me Too Hard.
Keith Richards, on the other hand, is not that strong vocally on his lead vocal track ‘Tell Me Straight’. His guitarriffs are his strengths. Nevertheless, it is the question how much of it has been played by him due to his arthritis. His greatness can, however, still be heard in his lyrics and musical arrangements. Without Richards and Jagger, The Stones would be no more.
But was this already the last new work of the worldfamous British rockband? They took their band name from ‘Rolling Stone Blues’ by Muddy Waters. It is probably not entirely coincidental that a cover of that song closes Hackney Diamonds. The circle is complete.
