By Bud Scoppa
No, Ronnie Wood and producer Andrew Watt haven’t wandered into a White Stripes photo shoot—they’re at Bravado’s RS No. 9 pop-up store in NYC, which opened on 10/19, just hours before the release of The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds (Geffen).
The LP, by the way, is a gratifyingly fun listen, and the reviewers largely agree: It got a 79 score on Metacritic based on 17 reviews. These critiques range from crazily effusive (The Independent) to ridiculously off the mark (Pitchfork, of course), the latter of which is 4.5 times as laughable as the former.
"Back in the day, 'pop-up store' meant something a bit different," reminisced Wood to Watt. The rest of his comments were redacted, as this is a family publication.
For some even-handed perspective, read Uproxx critic Steven Hyden’s ranking of Diamonds in the context of The Stones’ “late period” albums, which is generally defined as the eight they’ve released since 1981’s Tattoo You. “What it means,” Hyden opines, “is that you’re looking for three things: Credibly insouciant vocals by Mick, some reasonably raucous guitar weaving from Keith and Ronnie, and the reliable backbeat of Charlie Watts (or, in lieu of Charlie, his capable replacement, Steve Jordan). Hackney Diamonds delivers on all three counts. It is a good late-period Stones record.”
We concur. Indeed, “Bite My Head Off” (featuring Paul McCartney on vicious fuzz bass), “Live by the Sword” (anchored by Charlie and Bill Wyman), “Mess It Up” (Charlie’s other appearance), rippling dual-guitar rocker “Get Close” and the ’70s-evoking big ballad “Depending on You” are all candidates for our year-end playlist, standing tall alongside Jason Isbell, The National, Jamila Woods, boygenius and Wilco. Did not see that coming.
Sly Stone will release his first autobiography, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), on 10/17 via AUWA Books and MCD/FSG. It will be available on hardcover, e-book and audio. The release marks the inaugural title from AUWA Books, Questlove’s new publishing imprint.
"One of the few indisputable geniuses of pop music, Sly Stone is a trailblazer and a legend," the description reads. "He created a new kind of music, mixing Black and white, male and female, funk and rock. As a songwriter, he penned some of the most iconic anthems of the 1960s and ’70s, from 'Everyday People' to 'Family Affair.' As a performer, he electrified audiences with a persona and stage presence that set a lasting standard for pop-culture performance.
"Yet his life has also been a cautionary tale, known as much for how he dropped out of the spotlight as for what put him there in the first place. People know the music, but the man remains a mystery. In Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), his much-anticipated memoir, he’s finally ready to share his story—a story that many thought he’d never have the chance to tell."
The Sly and the Family Stone namesake co-wrote Thank You alongside Ben Greenman and was created in collaboration with Arlene Hirschkowitz, while Questlove penned the foreword. The book follows the “wild ride of a once-in-a-century talent” through the ‘60s and ‘70s—from Sly’s humble beginnings to the heights of stardom, his struggle with addiction and ultimate triumph. It also promises to include all the “gritty details” leading up to his bittersweet return. We, on the other hand, will spare you ours. Pre-orders for Thank You are available here.
Decades Rock Live is back with another installment of the popular concert series, this time with Chicago & Friends. The two-day event takes place 11/17-18 in Ovation Hall at Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort. Each show is being filmed on a custom-built LED stage set with more than 30 4k cameras for global distribution airing in late December. Full distribution info will be announced in the coming weeks.
Produced by Decades Rock Live creator and FanTracks co-founder Barry Summers, the show will feature Chicago performing their greatest hits alongside several special guests, including Steve Vai, Robin Thicke and Chris Daughtry. The band will also celebrate the 55th anniversary of their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, by playing several cuts from the project on both nights.
“We're looking forward to working with Barry Summers, our producer on this concert film, and celebrating Chicago's 55th anniversary of our debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, with our fans in Atlantic City that will be filmed over two nights,” Chicago keyboardist/songwriter Robert Lamm said. “We’ll be performing a set list of songs exclusively for these two shows, and we’re very excited to be performing with some special guests, all captured on film.”
Summers added, “I grew up on Chicago's incredible music and their songs were the soundtrack to my childhood. Getting this opportunity to build the show from the ground up, and capture on film Chicago's incredible musicianship and legendary horn arrangements, along with some new surprise nuggets never before performed live in many years, will give fans a once in a lifetime memorable experience and concert captured in 4K film to enjoy for many years to come."
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday (7/21) at 10am ET via Ticketmaster and the Ocean Casino Resort box office. Speaking of decades, we can’t believe we're old enough to remember when "Saturday In The Park" came out.
