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Sometime after the Rolling Stones wrapped up their 2022 tour -- the second they completed since the 2021 death of their drummer Charlie Watts -- Mick Jagger decided the band had spent enough time working on their first record of original material since 2005's A Bigger Bang. Jagger gave Keith Richards, the only other surviving founding member of the Stones left in the band, a deadline of Valentine's Day 2023 for wrapping up the sessions that had been dragging on for years. The ultimatum worked: by October of that year, the Stones released Hackney Diamonds, their first collection of new songs in 18 years. The album doesn't entirely consist of material the Stones cut early in 2023 -- two tracks feature Charlie Watts, including "Live by the Sword," which has original bassist Bill Wyman guesting on a Stones record for the first time in 30 years -- yet it bears the unmistakable imprint of a record delivered on a deadline. There's little hesitation, no thoughtful pondering here: Hackney Diamonds just barrels ahead with a clean efficiency. Although they're largely working with a new producer -- Andrew Watt, who came recommended by Paul McCartney -- the Rolling Stones don't attempt new tricks anywhere on Hackney Diamonds, save maybe "Whole Wide World," whose bizarre neo-new wave vibe gets odder thanks to Jagger singing in an exaggerated cockney accent. Even that is a slight nod to the band's mall-rat rock of the early '80s, one of many different guises the Rolling Stones adopt over the course of Hackney Diamonds. While a good portion of the record is devoted to straight-ahead rock & roll, they also find space for ragged country ("Dreamy Skies") and acoustic blues ("Rolling Stone Blues"), not to mention "Sweet Sounds of Heaven," a showstopping ballad featuring Lady Gaga. That track is a good indication of how Hackney Diamonds plays. At first, it seems like a solid evocation of "Beast of Burden," but it's a slow burn, a song that sounds stronger with each repeated listen. So is of the rest of Hackney Diamonds. Because it has no grand conceptual hook and because the Stones so thoroughly integrate their superstar guests -- not only are Gaga and Wyman here but so are Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and McCartney -- it doesn't overwhelm upon an initial listen the way the lengthy Voodoo Lounge or A Bigger Bang do; that small scale is its strength. At its heart, it's nothing more than the Rolling Stones knocking out some good Rolling Stones songs, which seems like a minor miracle after such a long wait.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Doughtery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Karlos Edwards, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Tamposi, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - James King, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Ron Blake, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
David Campbell, Conductor, String Arranger, Strings Conductor, AssociatedPerformer - Benmont Tench, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Bisharat, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sara Parkins, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Alyssa Park, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tereza Stanislav, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Philip Vaiman, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Songa Lee, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Michele Richards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Paula Hochhalter, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, String Arranger, Guitar, Percussion, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Maurer, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jennifer Takamatsu, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Lea, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jacob Braun, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Mccartney, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Percussion, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Benmont Tench, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - DAVE O'DONNELL, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Rooney, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dani Perez, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lee Foster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carl Bespolka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Karlos Edwards, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, Wurlitzer Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Watts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Don Was, Producer, Additional Producer - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elton John, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Krish Sharma, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Wyman, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Vocal Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charlie Watts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Costello, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cheno Wang, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Piano, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Clifford, Organ, Piano, Rhodes , AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Watt, Producer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lady Gaga, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lars Fox, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stevie Wonder, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Watt, Producer - Joe Dougherty, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barnabas Poffley, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bryce Bordone, Additional Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rich Evatt, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Brice, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Doughtery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, Bass, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - MICK JAGGER, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonica, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Muddy Waters, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Recording Engineer, Co-Mixer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kelsey Porter, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Watt, Producer, Co-Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Turner, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marco Sonzini, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Doughtery, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
DISC 2
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Michael Brauer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer - Nathaniel Hawkins, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
STEVE JORDAN, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lady Gaga, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - KEITH RICHARDS, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Lamalfa, Co-Mixer, StudioPersonnel - The Rolling Stones, MainArtist - Ronnie Wood, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Colton, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chanelle Haynes, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Darryl Jones, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Clifford, Keyboards, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Watt, Producer, Co-Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Ragus, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
Album review
Sometime after the Rolling Stones wrapped up their 2022 tour -- the second they completed since the 2021 death of their drummer Charlie Watts -- Mick Jagger decided the band had spent enough time working on their first record of original material since 2005's A Bigger Bang. Jagger gave Keith Richards, the only other surviving founding member of the Stones left in the band, a deadline of Valentine's Day 2023 for wrapping up the sessions that had been dragging on for years. The ultimatum worked: by October of that year, the Stones released Hackney Diamonds, their first collection of new songs in 18 years. The album doesn't entirely consist of material the Stones cut early in 2023 -- two tracks feature Charlie Watts, including "Live by the Sword," which has original bassist Bill Wyman guesting on a Stones record for the first time in 30 years -- yet it bears the unmistakable imprint of a record delivered on a deadline. There's little hesitation, no thoughtful pondering here: Hackney Diamonds just barrels ahead with a clean efficiency. Although they're largely working with a new producer -- Andrew Watt, who came recommended by Paul McCartney -- the Rolling Stones don't attempt new tricks anywhere on Hackney Diamonds, save maybe "Whole Wide World," whose bizarre neo-new wave vibe gets odder thanks to Jagger singing in an exaggerated cockney accent. Even that is a slight nod to the band's mall-rat rock of the early '80s, one of many different guises the Rolling Stones adopt over the course of Hackney Diamonds. While a good portion of the record is devoted to straight-ahead rock & roll, they also find space for ragged country ("Dreamy Skies") and acoustic blues ("Rolling Stone Blues"), not to mention "Sweet Sounds of Heaven," a showstopping ballad featuring Lady Gaga. That track is a good indication of how Hackney Diamonds plays. At first, it seems like a solid evocation of "Beast of Burden," but it's a slow burn, a song that sounds stronger with each repeated listen. So is of the rest of Hackney Diamonds. Because it has no grand conceptual hook and because the Stones so thoroughly integrate their superstar guests -- not only are Gaga and Wyman here but so are Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and McCartney -- it doesn't overwhelm upon an initial listen the way the lengthy Voodoo Lounge or A Bigger Bang do; that small scale is its strength. At its heart, it's nothing more than the Rolling Stones knocking out some good Rolling Stones songs, which seems like a minor miracle after such a long wait.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 19 track(s)
- Total length: 01:23:12
- Main artists: The Rolling Stones
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Polydor Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2023 Promotone B.V. ℗ 2023 Promotone B.V.
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