{"id":67673,"date":"2023-10-20T13:11:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T13:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/?p=67673"},"modified":"2023-10-20T13:11:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T13:11:54","slug":"another-jewel-in-their-crown-the-rolling-stones-release-their-best-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordcelnews.com\/music\/another-jewel-in-their-crown-the-rolling-stones-release-their-best-album\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Jewel in their crown: The Rolling Stones release their best album"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Aptly, Hackney Diamonds \u2013 London slang for broken glass left after a smash-and-grab robbery \u2013 is stuffed with gems.<\/p>\n

The best is Sweet Sounds Of Heaven, an uplifting gospel epic that builds to a huge climax with stellar guests in co-vocalist Lady Gaga, and Stevie Wonder on piano. \u201cPlay me something, Stevie,\u201d implores Mick.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a soulful secular anthem with punching horns, a reprise added spontaneously in the studio, and a
humanitarian message.<\/p>\n

The Jagger swagger is in full swing on punchy opener Angry. Keith Richards\u2019 stop-start staccato riff sets the pace as Mick moans about not getting enough sex, proving he still has a gift for fiction.<\/p>\n

READ MORE <\/strong> Tickets for the UK’s biggest country music festival are out now<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elsewhere, guests include Elton John and Paul McCartney, who adds fuzzy bass to ferocious rocker Bite My Head Off, probably the closest the Stones will ever get to punk.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Andrew Watt\u2019s crisp modern production and Jagger\u2019s lyrics, the old-timers sound thoroughly up to date. The 12 tracks range from the classy country soul of Dreamy Skies, about escaping social media, to disco groover Mess It Up which tackles doxing.<\/p>\n

Driving Me Too Hard owes a debt to Tumbling Dice. Live By The Sword \u2013 featuring the late Charlie Watts on drums and ex-bassist Bill Wyman \u2013 feels closest to 60s R&B, while garage rocker Whole Wide World takes a lyrical trip to the band\u2019s skint, flat-sharing early days in Chelsea.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no Exile On Main Street \u2013 what is? But Hackney Diamonds has everything from Ronnie Wood\u2019s rippling licks to Mick and Keef alone on Muddy Waters\u2019 Rolling Stone Blues \u2013 the song which inspired their name.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the future all in the past?\u201d asks Tell Me Straight. On this evidence, absolutely not.<\/p>\n