Ticket 2 Ride

Do the Rolling Stones feel the end of the road is nearing? The band had been recording new music for several years, when Jagger/Richards felt an urgency to finish enough for an album. They chose a couple of tracks with the late Charlie Watts back in 2019, and with newer material, Hackney Diamonds emerged.

Classic rock bands find it difficult to sell new music, so they spend their effort touring, which the Stones have focused. “I’d rather be dead than sing ‘Satisfaction’ when I’m 45,” Mickey Jagger told People magazine back in 1975. We all say things that we regret saying later. Now at 80, the Stones will gear up to support the new album.

Hackney Diamonds is the first new album in 18 years, and their 31st studio album in 60 years. I never considered not buying this new album, the question was more: what are my expectations? I decided to have an open mind, although I was prepared to put the album on the shelf if it didn’t grab me. In all honestly, the Stones have disappointed me a few times with newer music, but I’m still a fan. Putting the CD in the player, I was optimistic, but more realistic.

I’ll cut to the chase. I’d give the album 4.5/5.

Pleasantly surprised I was, this album rocks and has a fresh, contemporary sound. This is a polished album, but it retains enough grit and a heavy dose of energy.

All songs written by Jagger–Richards, except where noted. In an interview, Ronnie Wood jokingly said that he had lots of riffs saved up and would toss a few in to see if Mick or Keith like one. Rarely, does Woodie ever get a co-writing credit on a Stones song. Occasionally, a producer, in this case Andrew Watt, snags a writing credit for their contribution. Songwriting is a hugely lucrative business, controlled by Messrs, Jagger and Richards.

Watt (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop) was approached to co-produce with Jagger/Richards, and it was a great idea. There is an urgency and frankness in the recordings and performances. I have no idea if he pushed Jagger, Richards and Ronnie Wood, or just encouraged them, but the result is pleasing. The level of the playing and vocals is the best I’ve heard from this band in decades.

Hackney Diamonds is a serious guitar album. Richards and Woodie shine with their acoustic and electric guitar playing. Back in the early 1970s, the Stones had Richards and Mick Taylor manning the guitars, their playing was masterful, and they complemented each other’s skills, but Taylor was the stronger soloist and soloing was huge then. Taylor pushed Richards with his ability and quiet assertiveness. Taylor wanted to be more than a sideman in the band.

Richards and Woodie are similar guitar players in my mind, maybe too similar. Just my opinion, but they seemed so comfortable that they never pushed each other. That lack of fire made me wonder if the Stones were out of ideas, or they were happy playing “Satisfaction” for the millionth time and cashing the check. The reason I’m spending time talking about the guitar playing is that the guitars power The Rolling Stones, it is their engine. On Hackney Diamonds, I can’t tell who is playing what or even when one of them is playing bass. Doesn’t matter because Richards and Wood are tearing it up. They’ve never sounded so good.

“Angry” (Jagger–Richards, Andrew Watt) – 3:46
“Get Close” (Jagger–Richards, Watt) – 4:10
“Depending On You” (Jagger–Richards, Watt) – 4:03
“Bite My Head Off” – 3:31
“Whole Wide World” – 3:58
“Dreamy Skies” – 4:38
“Mess It Up” – 4:03
“Live by the Sword” – 3:59
“Driving Me Too Hard” – 3:16
“Tell Me Straight” – 2:56
“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” – 7:22
“Rolling Stone Blues” (Muddy Waters) – 2:41

Jagger played guitar, harp, percussion and sang lead and background vocals. Richards played guitar, bass and sang lead and background vocals. Wood played guitar, bass and sang background vocals. Watts played drums on two tracks. For a band that relied on the steady rhythm section of Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts for decades, they must rely on various bass players, including Daryl Johnson on the road, and Steve Jordan now sitting in on drums. The musicianship is tight and hits on all cylinders. Keyboards are mostly unnoticed, used to carry the melody or provide fills.

Bill Wyman played bass on one song. Elton John played piano on two songs. Paul McCartney played bass on one. Steve Jordan played drums on various songs. Stevie Wonder provided piano and keyboards on one song. James King played sax. Benmont Tench played piano and keyboards. Lady Gaga provided vocals. Ron Blake played trumpet. Karlos Edwards played percussion. Matt Clifford played various keyboards. Andrew Watt provided bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion and backing vocals.

The songs:

“Angry” Typical Stones. Familiar. Good, not great. Actually one of the lesser songs on the album.

“Get Close” One of the best Stones songs in recent memory. The riffs sound fresh and the vocals are creative. The mix is really tight with ragged guitars front and center. The sax solo is reminiscent of Bobby Sax in the early 1970s. The beat is almost a fast reggae which makes it quite danceable. Elton John on piano.

“Depending on You” Another very fine song. It was some interesting chord progressions. The guitars, which include acoustics. Are quite sweet. A love song that could have been written in the 1970s.

“Bite My Head Off” Hard rocking, almost a throwaway, but better than typical Stones’ throwaways. With Paul McCartney on bass and fuzz bass. Some killer guitar solos.

“Whole Wide World” Thumping beat and aggressive guitars, a Blondie vibe. Very upbeat and soaring. Another very solid track.

“Dreamy Skies” Slide guitars push this bluesy, laidback, earthy groove. Very much like something from the early 1970s.

“Mess it Up” Reminds me of “Start Me Up” but this song is much stronger musically. The riffs are more inventive and the swagger feels authentic, not manufactured. Jagger’s vocals are quite good, he sounds rejuvenated on this album. Charlie Watts keeps the beat.

“Live By the Sword” Interesting song structure, particularly the bass line (Bill Wyman) and rhythm guitars. It’s funky like Cheap Trick and has a jazzy groove that reminds me of early Spirit. Charlie Watts lays down the beat. The guitars really take off, but the piano (Mr. Reg Dwight or Elton John as we know him) keeps pace.

“Driving Me Too Hard” A little bit country, a little bit rock. Even the slow songs rock. Where did these chord progressions come from?

“Tell Me Straight” A bluesy, boozy ballad sung by Keith Richards. Again, great guitar work.

“Sweet Sounds of Heaven” Featuring Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder. A gospel flavored song. This will probably be remembered as an epic.

“Rolling Stone Blues” Jagger/Richards bring it on home. Harp, guitar and vocal. Raw and naked. A salute to Muddy Waters, who made it all possible.

—

[If you enjoyed this blog, consider a “like” and subscribe to this site. Thanks for stopping by.]