TELL ME STRAIGHT

Keith Richards, the legendary master of the ageless riff, talks about the magic and loss of Hackney Diamonds, the sparkling new Rolling Stones album

- Brad Tolinski

Keith Richards once humorously quipped, “Guitar is easy – all it takes is five fingers, six strings and one asshole.” Yes, easy perhaps, but few have wielded the instrument with as much imagination, grit and panache as the legendary Rolling Stone himself. Over the past six decades, the guitarist has unleashed a torrent of timeless riffs, gracing hits like Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Women, Start Me Up, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking and Happy.

And now, brace yourselves for a dozen more hot rocks. At the venerable age of 79 at the album’s release in October, and now 80, Richards, accompanied by his eternally youthful crew, The Rolling Stones, has put the final touches on their 24th UK (and 26th US) studio album. Lord knows, it’s been a long time comin’. Nearly eight years have passed since the release of their 2016 blues covers album, Blue & Lonesome, and twice that time since their last batch of original songs, 2005’s A Bigger Bang.

The good news is the wait’s been worth it. Packed with killer tunes and those trademark Keef guitar hooks, Hackney Diamonds stands tall among their very best work. Bold, textured and unapologetically ambitious it recalls classics like Let It Bleed (1969) and Exile On Main St (1972). The album also features guest appearances by some of rock’s greatest luminaries, including Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Lady Gaga – and even original Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who hasn’t recorded with the band for almost 30 years.