Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones!

[Note: New Music Musings, my weekly look at newly released music, will resume next Saturday]

Who would have thought we’d ever see a Rolling Stones tour sponsored by AARP? I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way – after all, I’m a member of the club, and it’s safe to assume so are most other Stones fans in the U.S. For non-American readers who may not be familiar with it, AARP (formerly known as American Association of Retired Persons) is a non-profit, non-partisan interest group focused on issues affecting people age 50 and above. Mick Jagger (80), Keith Richards (80) and Ronnie Wood (76) certainly have reached a stage in their lives by which I hope I’ll be long retired, but that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten how to rock. The Stones’ remarkable ongoing ability to deliver a great rock & roll show was on full display on Thursday evening (May 23) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Like the recent Neil Young & Crazy Horse gig I attended, my decision to see the “greatest rock & roll band in the world” was driven by nostalgia and, yes, the thought this could be the last time – no pun intended! Yet another similarity was an uncertain weather forecast that until the night before included a high chance of late afternoon/evening scattered thunderstorms with possible hail and strong wind gusts. In the end, time was on my side and other attending folks, and the weather gods were kind. I guess unstable weather conditions during what used to be fairly safe seasons of the year have caught up with open air shows – something that going forward I’ll have to factor in when deciding whether or not to purchase concert tickets for certain venues!

It’s hard to believe Thursday evening’s show happened nearly five years after my previous Stones concert in August 2019 at the same venue. I had seen them first in October 2005 at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa. In addition to Jagger (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion), Richards (guitars, backing and lead vocals) and Wood (guitars), the Stones’ line-up included Chuck Leavell (keyboards, backing vocals), Matt Clifford (keyboards, percussion, French horn), Tim Ries (saxophone, keyboards), Karl Denson (saxophone), Darryl Jones (bass) and Steve Jordan (drums), as well as Chanel Haynes (backing vocals). I don’t quite understand why Leavell and Jones haven’t become official members, given their long tenures of 41 and 31 years, respectively!

The official members of The Rolling Stones (from left): Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards with Steve Jordan in the background. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

While the Stones have called it the Hackney Diamonds Tour in a nod to their most recent studio album from October 2023 I reviewed here, it was really more of a greatest hits set, mixed with three songs from Hackney Diamonds and a couple of deeper cuts. But this didn’t make me angry – in fact, I loved the variety, and it was evident the audience shared my sentiments! The setlist mostly drew from Stones albums released between the mid-’60s and the late ’70s, such as Aftermath, Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and Some Girls. The only exception apart from Hackney Diamonds was Tattoo You (1981). There were also a couple of non-album singles.

Before getting to some Stones music, I’d like to acknowledge talented opening act Jon Batiste, a New Orleans pianist and vocalist who blends jazz, soul, pop, gospel, and R&B. He has recorded and performed with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey, and together with his band Stay Human could be seen each night as bandleader and musical director on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from 2015 to 2022. Some of Batiste’s best-known songs and renditions include Freedom (2021), It’s Alright (2022) and I Need You (2021).

After Batiste’s outgoing and groovy 45-minute opening set and a short break it was time for The Rolling Stones. Appropriately, they charged out of the gate with Start Me Up. Credited to Jagger-Richards as usual, the lead single from their August 1981 album Tattoo You has become a staple of their live shows. Seeing one of my all-time favorite bands again made a grown man cry – okay, not literally, but I can’t deny it was an emotional moment!

It’s Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It) perhaps best embodies why I’ve loved the Stones for 40-plus years. The classic title track of their October 1974 studio album once again is credited to Jagger-Richards, though then-new guitarist Ronnie Wood contributed to it. Notably, the song’s basic rhythm track came out of a jam session with Wood and his Faces bandmate drummer Kenney Jones, along with Jagger, David Bowie and bassist Willie Weeks. Richards subsequently added some guitar overdubs.

And then it was time for the man with the pirate laughter to sing a couple of songs on lead vocals, as has been custom at Rolling Stones shows. Vocally, Keith Richards ain’t no Mick Jagger, but I’ve always dug his somewhat unpolished voice. Here’s I Got the Silver, the first of two songs Thursday evening, which Richards performed on lead vocals. The country blues is off the November 1969 Let It Bleed album – the first song at the time featuring Richards on lead vocals throughout. Also, check Woods on acoustic slide guitar!

There were so many great songs the Stones played Thursday evening, which made it hard to pick what to capture. Before getting to Gimme Shelter, I’d like to acknowledge their great rendition of Miss You, a song that generally isn’t among my favorites. Among others, the extended version featured neat solo action by Jagger, Daryl Jones and Karl Denson on harmonica, bass and saxophone, respectively. Gimme Shelter, another track from Let It Bleed, was one of the songs during which Chanel Haynes got to showcase her incredible vocal pipes – driving the audience gaga without the artist of the same name!

After about 1.5 hours, the Stones closed their official set with another goodie and long-time favorite: Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a non-album single the Stones released in May 1968. At the time, Rolling Stone magazine characterized the classic as “supernatural Delta blues by way of Swinging London.” Some folks regarded it as a return of the Stones to blues-oriented rock following their excursions into baroque pop and psychedelia, which for the record I generally dig.

Then Mick Jagger thanked the audience, wished New Jersey a good night, and walked off the stage, together with his bandmates. But the lights didn’t come on, a sure sign an encore was to come. And it did. Here’s the first, Sweet Sounds of Heaven. I think the ballad is a highlight from the Hackney Diamonds album. Once again, Chanel Haynes shined! Of course, the audience still wasn’t quite satisfied. Can you guess what the second and final encore was? 🙂

It’s stunning to realize the first Rolling Stones tour of the U.S. happened 60 years ago. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were 20 at the time. Ronnie Wood who must have been a 16 or 17-year-old teenager just started his career, playing lead guitar in British R&B group The Birds – not to be confused with U.S. band The Byrds. After stints with the Jeff Beck Group and Faces, Wood began recording and touring with The Rolling Stones in 1975 before becoming an official member in April 1976.

Obviously, time hasn’t stood still, but Jagger, Richards and Wood were still bringing it. I thought Richards had a better night than 5 years ago at the same venue. Woods was in great shape as well, easily matching his performance from August 2019. Jagger continued to display his age-defying energy, working that stage like he was a 20-year-old! I must also commend the other musicians who were a hell of a backing band. Last but not least, I’d like to call out one last time Chanel Haynes who became an official member of the touring band last year – a terrific addition!

Chanel Haynes & Mick Jagger

Here’s the song line-up from Thursday evening:

Setlist:
• Start Me Up
• Get Off of My Cloud
• Shattered (tour debut)
• Angry
• It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (but I Like It)
• Wild Horses (fan-voted song)
• Mess It Up
• Tumbling Dice
• You Can’t Always Get What You Want
• You Got the Silver (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
• Little T&A (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
• Sympathy for the Devil
• Honky Tonk Women
• Miss You
• Gimme Shelter
• Paint It Black
• Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Encore:
• Sweet Sounds of Heaven
• (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

After playing another gig at MetLife Stadium tomorrow night, the 16-city Hackney Diamonds Tour next travels to Orlando, Fla. (June 3); Atlanta, Ga. (June 7); Philadelphia, Pa. (June 11) and Cleveland, Ohio (June 15). The tour is set to conclude on July 17 in Santa Clara, Calif. The full schedule is here.

Last but not least, I’m leaving you with a Spotify playlist that mirrors Thursday night’s show.

Sources: Wikipedia; Rolling Stones website; Setlist.fm; YouTube; Spotify

New Music Musings

Just in time before seeing off the year, I’d like to take a final look at new music. This post highlights my six favorite albums of 2023 I reviewed.

Highway 61 – Driving South

After 30 Years and an incredible background story including the global pandemic, a near-fatal cancer episode and the death of a music mentor, Los Angeles blues rock four-piece Highway 61 released their debut album Driving South on March 24. While after their formation in the early ’90s the band managed to establish themselves on the Southern California club circuit, the record deal they sought remained elusive, and they broke up in 1993. Fast forward to the summer of 2022 when they reconvened for the first time in decades at an L.A. studio to finally record their first album. Highway 61 blend flavors of The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty with dashes of The Black Crowes and Stevie Ray Vaughan. For a little taste, here’s the kickass opener Walk On Water (full album review). Thanks again to Gregg Bell of Wanted Management, who brought Highway 61 on my radar screen!

Ian Hunter – Defiance Part 1

Ian Hunter may be an octogenarian, but he sure as heck can show all the young dudes how to rock. After his departure as lead vocalist from British glam rockers Mott the Hoople in 1974, Hunter launched a solo career and has released his own albums at a fairly steady pace. He frequently collaborated with Mick Ronson until the untimely death of David Bowie’s former sideman in 1993 at the age of 46. His 15th and latest album Defiance Part 1, recorded during COVID lockdown and released on April 21, features the late Jeff Beck, Slash, Billy Gibbons, Todd Rundgren and Ringo Starr, among others, who all added contributions at their home studios. The album also includes Hunter’s longtime collaborator Andy York, one of John Mellencamp’s guitarist, who also served as co-producer. Here’s This Is What I’m Here For, written by Hunter and featuring the late Taylor Hawkins (formerly of Foo Fighters) on drums, Waddy Wachtel (guitar) and Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott (backing vocals) (full album review).

Lucinda Williams – Stories From a Rock n Roll Heart

Lucinda Williams may be among the ultimate rock & roll survivors. Only two and a half years ago, things looked pretty bleak for the singer-songwriter, who turned 70 in January. After her East Nashville home had been damaged by a tornado in March 2020, she suffered a debilitating stroke in November of the same year. Not only did the stroke limit Williams’ physical mobility, but it also took away her ability to play guitar, the instrument she had relied on to write her songs. None of this stopped Williams. After intense rehab, she returned to the stage. Still unable to play guitar, she adjusted her way to write music, collaborated with her husband and co-producer Tom Overby and others, and recorded the incredible album Stories From a Rock n Roll Heart, which dropped on June 30. I don’t mean to romanticize hardship, but I find Williams’ strength truly inspiring. Here’s the de facto title track Rock n Roll Heart, co-written by Williams, Overby and Travis Stephens, guitarist and Williams’ road manager. The song features Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa on backing vocals (full album review). Only select songs of the album are available on streaming services.

Cordovas – The Rose of Aces

East Nashville, Tenn.-based Americana and country rock band Cordovas have become one of my favorite contemporary groups since the summer of 2018 when I coincidentally caught them at a free open air summer concert in New Jersey. Their three-part harmony vocals and warm sound remind me of other groups like The Band, Grateful Dead, Eagles and Little Feat. Cordovas were formed in 2011 by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Firstman  after he had put out a series of solo projects and served as bandleader on NBC’s former late-night TV show Last Call with Carson Daly from 2005 to 2009. On August 11, they released their fourth studio album The Rose of Aces, another gem. Here’s Love Is All It Takes, a song written by Firstman with a neat Allman Brothers Band vibe (full album review).

The Rolling Stones/Hackney Diamonds

Hackney Diamonds is no Sticky Fingers or Exile On Main St., but the first new Rolling Stones album with original music in 18 years still marks a late-stage career highlight. Released on October 20, Hackney Diamonds sounds remarkably fresh and dynamic for a band that has existed for 61 years! The first Stones album since the 2021 death of longtime drummer Charlie Watts features Elton John, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Bill Wyman, Paul McCartney and even Watts, among others. One of the most effective contributions are Lady Gaga’s backing vocals on Sweet Sounds of Heaven, a great soulful ballad credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It also includes Wonder on keyboards and piano, but you don’t notice unless you carefully listen to Jagger telling Wonder, ‘Play me something, Steve’, at around the 5:30-minute mark or check the credits – a relatively small wrinkle on what I think is the Stones’ best studio album since 1989’s Steel Wheels (full album review).

Raze Regal & White Denim Inc. – Raze Regal & White Denim Inc.

The collaboration between Raze Regal, who AllMusic calls an eclectic, psych, jazz, and rock-influenced guitarist, and James Petralli, vocalist of Austin, Texas indie rock band White Denim who he co-founded in 2006, is one of my most intriguing new music discoveries this year. The album’s sophisticated sound blending jazz, rock, soul and pop at times reminds me of Steely Dan and some of Gino Vannelli’s work I’ve heard. Here’s the cool opener Ashley Goudeau, named after a local Austin morning news anchor, a song about a parasocial relationship with a TV personality (full album review).

Sources: Wikipedia; AllMusic; YouTube; Spotify

Still Only Rock & Roll, Still Liking It

Unless you’ve lived under a rock, which I largely did in the ’90s when it came to music, by now, you’ve heard The Rolling Stones are out with their long-awaited new album. Hackney Diamonds dropped on Friday, October 20, and I’ve since spent some time with it. I guess you already figured out my overall sentiment is pretty positive. To me, Hackney Diamonds represents a late-stage highlight in the Stones’ remarkable 61-year career, which sounds surprisingly dynamic and fresh!

When I listened to the first single Angry about a month ago, I certainly wasn’t mad, thinking it sounds like the Stones but I wasn’t exactly floored either. The second upfront single Sweet Sounds of Heaven, which I covered here around the time it was released, definitely got my attention and raised expectations about the album. So did the punkish Bite My Head Off, featuring Paul McCartney on bass. I included that song in my latest weekly new music review.

The Rolling Stones are rocking on, 61 years into their career (from left): Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Hackney Diamonds is the Stones’ first album with new material since A Bigger Bang, which dates back to September 2005 – that’s a whopping 18 years! They released a blues covers collection, Blue & Lonesome, in December 2016, after abandoning their initial plan to create new music. I immediately liked Blue & Lonesome for what it was and posted about it at the time. To me, it felt like the Stones had come full circle with their early days when they actually were a blues cover band.

When reading Hackney Diamonds features prominent guests, including Elton John, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Bill Wyman and Paul McCartney, you could be forgiven to think it’s a playbook we’ve seen before, especially by more mature artists. In this case, I don’t feel this had any negative impact on the overall outcome but will add you really wouldn’t know that Elton John, Stevie Wonder or Bill Wyman are on the album, if they wouldn’t be listed in the credits.

The Rolling Stones with some of the guests on their new album (from left): Lady Gaga, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and producer Andrew Watt, who also provided bass, guitar, percussion, keyboards and backing vocals

I wish these artists would be more noticeable, particularly John and Wonder with their distinct piano and harmonica sounds, respectively. By contrast, Lady Gaga provides compelling backing vocals on Sweet Sounds of Heaven, the same song on which Stevie Wonder plays keyboards and piano. If it wasn’t for Mick Jagger who says, ‘play me something, Steve,’ at around 5:30 minutes into the track, frankly, it would be easy to miss Wonder. McCartney, on the other hand, is way more noticeable with a short punkish fuzz bass solo on Bite My Head Off. As such, he and Gaga not only were able to showcase their chops but also added to what are two highlights on the album.

Another key player I’d like to call out is producer Andrew Watt. The 33-year-old, who McCartney suggested to Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, has produced for a remarkable variety of artists, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam and Iggy Pop, among many others. Watt also is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar in the Earthlings, Eddie Vedder’s backing band for solo endeavors.

While Watt is a talented musician, I was surprised to see him listed in the credits as playing bass instead of the Stones’ longtime bassist Darryl Jones. Last year, American Songwriter reported the Stones including Jones and their current drummer Steve Jordan had laid down basic tracks for the album in New York. Evidently, whatever was recorded then with Jones didn’t make the final mix. I also like to call out two other individuals listed in the credits: Benmont Tench (Hammond organ), previously with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; and prominent producer Don Was who co-produced album track Live by the Sword.

Time for some music! I’m skipping Angry and go right to Get Close. It very much feels like a classic guitar riff-driven Stones song without coming across as dusty – kudos to Watt! Mick Jagger’s vocals sound outstanding, which also is the case on all of the other tracks. James King throws in a nice saxophone solo. Get Close is the first of two songs featuring Elton John on piano, except you can’t hear him. Perhaps the caveat here is I have some high-frequency hearing loss, so I cannot make out John’s piano, not even with headphones, but maybe others can when they get close! 🙂

On Dreamy Skies, the Stones remind us of their country chops, which they illustrated a long time ago on songs like Dear Doctor, Country Honk, Sweet Virginia and, of course, Dead Flowers. While the guitar work doesn’t reach the brilliance of the latter, Dreamy Skies still is a song I could well picture on my all-time favorite Stones album Sticky Fingers, released in April 1971.

Mess It Up is one of two tracks featuring drums by the late Charlie Watts thanks to modern technology. It’s great to hear the man again! The guitar work is pretty solid and resembles classic Stones. I also like the funky vibe of the song, which would fit well on Steel Wheels. Their August 1989 album saw the Stones return to a more classic style after they had embraced a commercial ’80s sound on their two previous albums.

Live By the Sword not only is the second track on Hackney Diamonds with drums by Watts, but it also pairs them with bass provided by Bill Wyman, thus recreating the Stones’ classic rhythm engine. The song, which as noted above was co-produced by Don Was, also is the second track to feature Elton John. Unlike Get Close, at least I can hear the piano man occasionally in the background. Once again, I feel it would have been even better to give Sir Elton at least a short solo or make his honky piano more prominent in the mix.

Next up is Tell Me Straight, another highlight on the album, featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals. I have to agree with various reviews I read that noted Richards hasn’t sounded as good in many years. I also think the song’s reflective lyrics are noteworthy:…I need an answer, how long can this last?/Just tell me straight/ Don’t make me wait/Is my future all in the past? Yeah, tell me straight, tell me straight…

This brings me to the final track I’d like to highlight, even though it’s “only a cover.” In fact, it’s the sole cover on the album, Rolling Stone Blues, an obvious nod to the past. Originally titled Rollin’ Stone, it was recorded by Muddy Waters in 1950, who in turn based it on Catfish Blues, a delta blues dating back to the 1920s. The Stones worshipped Muddy Waters, and it was that very song that inspired the name The Rolling Stones.

“We had a lot of material recorded, but we weren’t very excited with the results,” Jagger told Spanish daily newspaper El País in a recent interview about the album. “Some of the songs were okay, but they weren’t great. We said, ‘We’re going to work harder and we’re going to set a deadline.’ And that’s when the magic started to happen. We recorded the whole thing in three or four weeks. We wanted to make the record fast and keep ourselves excited the whole time. And I think we achieved our goal.”

During the same interview, Jagger was also very complimentary about producer Andrew Watt. “Andy is fantastic because he’s young and he plays guitar, bass, he sings… He knows the history of music. When he talks to me, Keith, or Ronnie, you can tell he knows all of our records. He knows all the chords to Tumbling Dice or any song. He’s not someone who approaches recording from an intellectual or electronic point of view.”

Overall, Hackney Diamonds has been well received. Variety called it the best album by the Stones since 1981’s Tattoo You, which is widely considered their last great album. I would perhaps characterize it as their most compelling work since the aforementioned Steel Wheels, an album I’ve always enjoyed. Regardless which of the two albums you want to use, the Stones sound remarkably classic, vital and fresh on Hackney Diamonds.

Now perhaps to the obvious question: Is it the last time we will have heard new music by the greatest rock & rock band in the world? It goes without saying the Stones don’t have the luxury to wait for another 18 years; even another seven years (the time span between Blue & Lonesome and Hackney Diamonds) look like a stretch. Based on the speed Hackney Diamonds ultimately came together, there may be some reason to be optimistic. In case Hackney Diamonds should turn out to be their final studio album, it would mean The Rolling Stones certainly ended on a high note.

Sources: Wikipedia; American Songwriter; El País; Variety; The Rolling Stones website; YouTube; Spotify

New Music Musings

Lately, the weeks seem to be flying by ever-faster. I can’t believe it’s Saturday again! Welcome to my weekly new music review. This time, the first four of the six featured artists/bands are entirely new to me. All picks are from albums that dropped yesterday (October 20).

Billy Raffoul/Tangerine

First up is Canadian singer-songwriter Billy Raffoul from Leamington, Ontario. A previous announcement of Raffoul’s latest full-length album For All Those Years notes his father Jody Raffoul was a regionally prominent and prolific performer introducing his son to music at an early age. After signing with Interscope Records in 2017 and a few singles and EPs, he released his full-length debut album A Few More Hours at YYZ in 2020. AllMusic characterizes Raffoul’s music as recalling a mixture of Jeff Buckley, Joe Cocker and Bruce Springsteen. From For All These Years, his third album, here’s Tangerine. His ragged vocals and his soulful delivery drew me in.

Sun June/Mixed Bag

Sun June are an indie pop band from Austin, Texas. Starting with their 2018 debut album Years, they have released three albums to date. Their latest it titled Bad Dream Jaguar. Here’s Mixed Bag, which is credited to all six members of the band: Laura Colwell (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Michael Bain (lead guitar), Stephen Salisbury and Santiago Dietche (guitar, vocals each), Justin Harris (bass) and Sarah Schultz (drums). This song has a pleasant laidback feel to it.

Skinny Lister/Company of the Bar

Skinny Lister are a British folk band blending elements of folk punk and folk pop. AllMusic notes The Pogues and Mumford & Sons. I’m also bit reminded Boston’s Dropkick Murphys. Skinny Lister were formed in London in 2009 and have released six albums to date. Their new one is titled Shanty Punk. Here’s the upbeat Company of the Bar. I like this!

Dirt Buyer/Gathering Logs

Dirt Byer are an Emo folk group around singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe Sutkowski who hails from New Jersey is now based in Brooklyn, New York. He started as a duo in 2018 with drummer Ruben Radlauer when both were students at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. After the release of Dirt Buyer’s eponymous debut album in January 2019, Radlauer left. Dirt Buyer subsequently became a trio who in addition from Sutkowksi includes Tristan Allen (bass) and Mike Costa (drums). Gathering Logs is a song off the second album appearing under the Dirt Buyer name, Dirt Buyer II.

Blues Traveler/Qualified

If the name Blues Traveler doesn’t ring a bell, chances are you know the blues rock and alternative rock band’s catchy 1995 hit Run-Around. They were formed eight years earlier in Princeton, New Jersey and put out their eponymous debut album in May 1990. Led by John Popper (lead vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar), Blues Traveler have since released 13 additional albums. Apart from Popper and co-founders Chan Kinchla (guitar) and Brendan Hill (drums), the group’s current line-up features Tad Kinchla (bass) and Ben Wilson (keyboards), who each have been members for more than 20 years. Off their new album Traveler’s Blues, here’s Qualified a great tune with a soulful vibe

The Rolling Stones/Bite My Head Off

The Rolling Stones are finally out with Hackney Diamonds, their long-awaited first album of new music in 18 years. I previously covered the second upfront single Sweet Sounds of Heaven, a great soulful ballad featuring Lady Gaga on backing vocals and Stevie Wonder on Fender Rhodes. There are other prominent guests on the album, including Elton John, Bill Wyman and Paul McCartney. The late Charlie Watts can be heard on two tracks as well. The other drum parts are handled by the Stones’ current drummer Steve Jordan. Based on scanning some reviews, Hackney Diamonds appears to have been well received. Variety called it the best album by the Stones since 1981’s Tattoo You. Here’s Bite My Head Off, featuring Macca on fuzz bass, who even throws in a short solo. While unfortunately I haven’t had the time yet to give the album the attention it deserves, I know this: Bite My Head Off rocks!

Sources: Wikipedia; Nettwerk Music Group website; AllMusic; Dirt Buyer Bandcamp page; You Tube, Spotify

The Rolling Stones Drop Second Single From Long-Awaited Upcoming New Album

Yesterday, The Rolling Stones released their second upfront single from Hackney Diamonds, their long-awaited upcoming first album of original music in 18 years. Sweet Sounds of Heaven features Lada Gaga on backing vocals and none other than the great Stevie Wonder on Fender Rhodes, Moog and piano, as reported by Pitchfork and other entertainment outlets. While I may not exactly go ga ga over the soulful ballad with a gospel vibe, I feel the Stones have done a pretty decent job here and look forward to the album, which is scheduled for release on October 20.

SPIN reported Jagger penned Sweet Sounds of Heaven at his London home and was inspired by rustling leaves and slight wind blowing through the trees outside of his window. “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” was written by Jagger and Keith Richards, and was recorded at studios in Los Angeles, London, and the Bahamas. It comes three weeks after the first upfront single Angry.

As a longtime fan of The Rolling Stones, I can’t deny the possibility of bias here. I don’t know about you, after years of speculation about a new Stones album, I had largely given up on it until more specific news reports emerged. The fact that after 18 years since A Bigger Bang Mick Jagger (80) and his longtime Glimmer Twin Keith Richards (79) pulled off writing new music together is remarkable in and of itself, at least in my book.

‘But Lady Ga Ga?’, some observers may wonder (no pun intended!). Well, I humbly have to agree with Sir Mick who told Zane Lowe in an interview for Apple Music that “she’s really a great singer.” That’s different from saying I love her music. ‘Okay,’ some may think, ‘you can do a lot in the studio to make a voice sound great.’ True, but check out this live performance of Gimme Shelter, captured in 2012 during the Stones’ 50 & Counting Tour. If you’re in a hurry, forward to around 1:30 minutes into the clip and tell me this lady didn’t kill it!

The core members of The Rolling Stones (from left): Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Mick Jagger. Photo: Toby Melville/Reuters

Lady Ga Ga and Stevie Wonder aren’t the only notable guests appearing on Hackney Diamonds. To start with, there are also these two lads who originally hail from Liverpool and 60 years ago were in a band called The Beatles. Of course, I’m talking Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who appear on one track. Additional contributions include Elton John, former Stones bassist Bill Wyman and even the band’s late drummer Charlie Watts. The album was produced by Andrew Watt who won the 2021 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. Watt has worked with a diverse group of artists, such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam and Iggy Pop.

I’m under no illusion there are cynics out there saying the Stones decided to embrace a playbook we have seen before where aging rockers beyond their prime time pack their album with prominent guests. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. All I can say is I’m happy, baby, not angry about what I’ve heard thus far!

Sources: Wikipedia; Pitchfork; SPIN; Apple Music; YouTube