Hackney DiAmonds
I’ve been seeking something positive to blog about and have finally found this, and of all things, the new record from the Rolling Stones. In short - it’s remarkable. The writing, the engineering, the performances, and production are a welcome breath of fresh air. Recording live in a recording studio. This used to be the pinnacle for a band or artist - the opportunity to play live in a recording studio. Today with the advent of DAWs, a recording studio with vintage mics and a control room are reduced to optional. Hit records have the possibility of being made in a box in an apartment. However, Hackney Diamonds is a record made like the Stones, and for that matter, all of us and all of our favorite records made prior to the late 90s are created - live in the studio. Singers and musicians working with arrangers, engineers, and producers to capture a musical moment in time.
This is the first Rolling Stones record in 18 years and what did they do? Situations change, Charlie passed, we got a very competent drummer in Steve Jordan. Steve has been the session and touring member of Keith’s band the X-Pensive Winos for years. If you’re not familiar with this solo record from Keith, it’s first-rate. So, when Charlie passed, Steve Jordan, a great drummer (alumina of SNL, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton), was the logical choice. The newfound energy, technique and R&B nuances permeate this new recording. It was Produced by a guy who has an impressive discography from Miley to Justin to Ozzy, and Post Malone. Andrew Watt who was so smart to let these guys jam in the studio with vintage mics and no click track, it’s what we call a real record.
If you’ve been made aware of this new release on tv, blogs or reviews you’re undoubtedly aware the guest performances include Bill Wyman, (the first recording the bassist has record with his former bandmates in over thirty years), Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Lady Gaga. From her first hit, Just Dance this artist has mesmerized us (I was confused at times) on her musical journey evolving from a pop star to an equally adept jazz singer with Tony Bennett. Here she plays the part of a background (bg) singer from a rock and roll band exquisitely. The impromptu performance as they riff at the end of the track is captured. Another idyllic performance from Lady Gaga which she can now check off her bucket list.
Of course, these guys aren’t the greatest in the world at their respective instruments (they’re not jazz musicians), but in this case that’s exactly the point. These guys were honed on the blues of Chicago and have carried that tradition and melded it into their own. With Keith in his late seventies and Mick at 80, these performances are impeccable if not remarkable. And of course, there were punch ins and fixes, and Mick recorded the final vocals after all the guitars were cut, but that too remains old school and how records were made with Led Zeppelin, the Who, et al. There is one regret, that our man from Chicago, touring bassist for the Stones for the past thirty years - Darryl Jones (Miles, Sting, and Clapton) didn’t make the record.
The new release from the Rolling Stones has been big news for press and publicity, critics of the world, and in my opinion may be one of the best Stones records ever and without a doubt a breath of fresh air in 2023, the era of programming, sampling and autotune. This record proves once again it’s not too complicated; write some great tunes, record, and perform them masterfully with guitars, bass, drums, and vocals and good music will prevail.