Rolling Stones Unleash New Album: Hackney Diamonds, Power of 60 Years Prevails

In the annals of rock and roll, few can lay claim to the enduring legacy and ceaseless passion that embodies Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Since his formation of the Rolling Stones with Mick Jagger in 1962, Richards has been an unwavering perennial presence in the music world, his love for the guitar unwavering.

With an astonishing collection of over a thousand guitars, only a chosen few see the stage but each one has a special place in Richards’ heart. As he nears 80, the fervent fascination he possesses for the instrument remains unscathed. His philosophy is simple – unveiling the mysteries the guitar has to offer is a never-ending pursuit.

Richards waves his magic once again in the Rolling Stones’ new album, Hackney Diamonds, delivering an intoxicating fusion of hard-rocking riffs, sinewy country blues, and spontaneous gospel stomps. Their timeless allure ringing undimmed despite Richards’ hands, weathered by arthritis, which while not causing him pain, have inevitably slowed him down.

Their latest offering is the band’s first fresh material in almost two decades, not from lack of trying as several stage tours, and recording attempts had taken place over the years. However, the perfection the band desired had seemed elusive until their 60th anniversary tour, which, thanks to Jagger’s push, was swiftly followed by studio sessions, subsequently providing the long-awaited album.

Andrew Watt, a young producer with a successful pedigree for pop hits and rock revival, exerted beneficial influence over the project, pushing the band to meet the year-end deadline for basic track completion. The charismatic dynamic duo of Jagger and Richards, the backbone of the band’s successful run, acknowledges Watt’s contribution as pivotal.

The pair’s first interaction can be traced back to a railway platform in the 1950s which acted as a juncture that would define their destinies and the face of rock and roll. Their initial hit, a result of being locked in a kitchen by their manager, was a cover band version of ‘As Tears Go By’, later to be made popular by Marianne Faithfull.

Hackney Diamonds, although fast-tracked by modern standards, encapsulates the wild essence of the Rolling Stones, with the characteristic growling vocals of Jagger and the provocative song titles testament of the band’s uncontained energy. Despite healing old wounds in the band’s internal dynamics, the album also posed the challenge of working without their dependable drummer, Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021. His replacement, as per Watts’ wish, was Steve Jordan, who also plays on all but two of the tracks.

The album is heightened by superstar features such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bill Wyman, and Lady Gaga, staying true to the band’s hands-on ethos throughout their recording process. The closing track tips the hat to their blues roots, but Richards is quick to deny any hint of the band’s retirement.

Fueled by their shared passion, the band shows no signs of slowing down, planning to take their new music on the road the following year if they are all able to. Richards, unmoved by the question of the band’s eventual end, insists there’s no rush. After sixty years of exhilarating journeys and relentless commitment to their craft, the Rolling Stones continue to revel in the pure joy of creation.

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