New Song Alert: Stones Formally Announce ‘Hackney Diamonds’ With Jimmy Fallon – Release New Single ‘Angry’ – Oh, Yeah, Baby!!
I had to get up early for work today, but truth be told, I’d have gotten up early anyway as the Stones were set to do their album launch broadcast (on YouTube) for the new record Hackney Diamonds. Apparently the original album title was going to be Smash And Grab. The Stones – Mick Jagger (vocals), Keith Richards (guitar/vocals) and Ronnie Wood (guitar) – came on stage at a venerable old theater in London (the Hackney Empire, I believe) and were greeted by American talk show host Jimmy Fallon. I’m not a big Fallon fan, but he did reference an old, deep track from their early days, “Off The Hook,” and damn if that didn’t send me scurrying back to that song for a listen or two… Kudos Mr. Fallon.
The Stones seem loose and excited about the new record. The late Charlie Watts plays drums on only two of the songs and X-Pensive Wino drummer Steve Jordan plays on the rest of the songs. The Stones said they started recording in January and wrapped in February… They did confirm that Andrew Watt produced the record and erstwhile bassist Bill Wyman plays on one track. I was glad I had a few half hour to tune in.
The best part of the announcement this morning was the unveiling of the first single, “Angry.” Other than “Living In A Ghost Town,” this is the first new song from the Stones in the aforementioned 18 years. They did of course release the fabulous blues cover LP, Blue And Lonesome, but this is their first album of all new material and first new single in soooo long. Oh, the anticipation we’re all feeling down here at B&V. The Stones’ first singles, at least since I’ve been a fan, have been on the money. From “Miss You,” “Start Me Up,” “Undercover Of The Night,” to “Mixed Emotions,” and “Rough Justice” those first singles just always connected for me.
Have no fear, the new track, “Angry” ranks up there with all those great first singles of yore. The track starts with a drum beat that leads us to a signature Stones riff. Mick launches in with “Don’t get angry with me, I never caused you no pain…” And just like that the universe has a new Stones track and we’re off and running, baby. I love the wobbly guitar solo. At the end they jam as Mick repeats the chorus. This is a great first single from what promises to be a great new album. Every time I hear this song it grows on me even more, if that’s even possible. This is the music B&V was invented for. Here’s the song:
Beyond that, the Stones released a video for the album featuring the buxom Sydney Sweeney. I’m not usually a “video” guy, but I did thoroughly enjoy this video. While Sweeney is no Tawny Kittaen dancing on the hood of that car in the Whitesnake video, she acquits herself well. She’s riding in the back of a convertible down – I presume – Sunset Strip, dancing around in what can only be described as a “celebration of cleavage.” And if you’re going to celebrate something, why not cleavage? Who could possibly be “Angry” with that? Anyway, as she makes her way down Sunset, she’s surrounded on either side by Stones billboards from the past. I think I even spotted a Talk Is Cheap billboard. The billboards, through the magic of CGI, come alive and perform the track as Sweeney’s rag top car cruises down the Strip. Pretty cool concept. Here’s the video…
Oh, indeed! She even unironically plays air guitar. Be still my heart.
Oh my friends, I can’t tell you what a happy day this is. I’ve got my vinyl copy of the album pre ordered. I may buy this on CD too. Hell, I may re think my “no tattoo” policy after this. When the Stones put out an album – especially this album – it’s a big fucking deal. This will probably the last time we all get a new Stones album and a new Stones first single. Savor this moment people, we may not get another… although they did say they had 23 songs recorded and are only releasing 12… dare I hope for a sequel?
Turn this one up loud and please, don’t be “Angry.” Not with me anyway…
Cheers!
I vividly remember an early photo of The Rolling Stones, it must have been in the early 60’s, and I thought – what an ugly guys and what a ragtag bunch? They were in stark contrast to The Beatles with their neat suits and their teeny bobber haircuts. The Beatles were very cuddly at the time and made poppy music, while The Rolling Stones looked dangerous and mean, and their music was accordingly to their appearances, mean and dangerous. And now we are 60 years later and they are still making great music. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Santé.
I love that perspective of the two bands. I remember my uncle telling me how freaked out he and his friends were when the Beatles came out because they had such long hair. I guess, 60 years down the road, we can say that both those bands changed the world! Cheers and thank you for the insights Guy!
Both bands were revolutionary in their own way. They changed not only the music, but also the way of life, clothes, hairstyle, way of thinking and freedom. And sex, yes indeed. One cannot explain to today’s youth what an influence both bands had on our society. You had to experience and be there to fully comprehend it. What a great time it was.