Hackney Diamonds (the remaining ten)
Teased by the earlier released singles – the catchy rocker ‘Mean to Me’ and the superb ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ singles, we finally have the entire gushingly reviewed 2023 Rolling Stones album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’.
Does the album as a whole live up to the four to five star ratings. For me, it didn’t at first. But as I continue binging on it (especially on headphones) I’m starting to appreciate just how good it is.
That is not to say that every one of the twelve tracks is a gem, as in the opinion of this Stones Tragic, not even their very best albums delivered a perfect set.
The token song or two sung by Keith on any album has deliver one or two hits over the years – ‘Happy’ is perhaps the most memorable. On Hackney Diamonds Keith sings ‘Tell me straight’. In my view, it is a forgettable inclusion. Keith’s guitar playing on this album, on the other hand, is simply brilliant.
The album features several prominent guests. Most notably, Lady Gaga, and her vocal duel with Mick. In future concerts I can envisage various guests attempting to sing her part.
The other contributions are instrumental rather than vocal and consequently are less likely to be notice. Charlie drums on ‘Mess it up and ‘Live by the sword’, Bill Wyman’s plays bass on ‘Live by the sword’, Paul McCartney also plays bass on ‘Bite my Head Off’. Keyboards by Stevie Wonder on ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ and Elton John on ‘Live by the Sword’ are a nice touch, though perhaps not as distinctive or prominent as previous regulars, Chuck Leavell and Nicky Hopkins.
Before I turn the the tracks on which I have not commented, I must make the general observation that on this album, Mick Jagger’s singing is as good as ever – he even dips into a little falsetto.
‘Get Close’ features Charlie and the guitar sound of much earlier Stones. The bass is also reminiscent of Bill’s bass on Winter off ‘Goats Head Soup’. The sax solo reminded me of the late and great Bobbie Keys who was an integral part of so many of the Stones’ finest songs. Elton also joins in to complete the Stones sound.
The next track, ‘Depending on you’, finds Keith playing acoustic guitar and what I assume is Ronnie on pedal steel guitar. This tune may do well on Country charts.
Mick has described ‘Bite my head off’ as a punk song. It certainly packs a punch and is very bass oriented thanks to Sir Paul’s buzzy bass.
‘Whole wide world’ is a catchy tune with lead guitar solos that exceed what we’ve become accustomed to hearing from Ronnie.
‘Dreamy Skies’ is a catchy country ballad that has Country music hit written all over it. It features pedal steel and acoustic guitars, keyboards, Mick and Keith harmonies, and Mick’s harmonica. A traditional Stones’ Country Song but without the tongue in cheek lyrics and exaggerated Southern accent of ‘Far away eyes’.
‘Mess it up’ is a surprise. It’s a guitar-driven dance song, with Mick occasionally singing falsetto. A very catchy tune, beat and riffs. Not surprisingly, it’s the second of two songs featuring the unforgettable Charlie Watts.
‘Live by the sword’ is the kind of Stones song that would quickly fill a dance floor – great beat (thank you, Charlie and Bill), catchy lyrics, Elton at the piano, and the occasional driving guitar duel.
‘Whole wide world’, is another catchy track, featuring some new guitar riffs and solos more reminiscent of hard rock bands than recent Stones.
‘Sweet sounds of heaven’ – I won’t repeat my previous gushing review. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds to realise that this song is special. The final minute is a must listen
And finally ‘Rolling Stone Blues’. The title says it all. This is electric blues at it’s original and purest and therefore not for everyone.
My verdict – I agree with the pros, this is the best stones album for at least forty years. However only ‘Sweet Sounds of Heaven’ is likely to end up on my Stones’ Classics playlist.
