The making of the Rolling Stones’ forthcoming album, Hackney Diamonds, is the subject of a new one-hour TV documentary, titled The Stones: Still Rolling. The film was produced by Fulwell 73 and Mercury Studios.
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The film is described as “a rare glimpse of the Rolling Stones as they power forward” that is “told vividly through a first-ever roundtable conversation between the band (members)… giving viewers access to places they have never been.”
Said Alice Webb, CEO and co-president of Mercury Studios, in a statement, “Following last year’s My Life as a Rolling Stone series, Mercury Studios couldn’t be happier to present a fresh look as the guys as they are today, during the creation of their first new music in 18 years. Collaborating with the Stones over the past few years has been a great privilege for us.”
At the end of last month, the band have unveiled the second track from Hackney Diamonds, which will arrive on October 20. “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” is the penultimate song on the set, and features Lady Gaga on vocals and Stevie Wonder on Fender Rhodes, Moog, and piano.
In contrast to the ebullient, rocking sound of “Angry,” the new track is a slow and soulful number with a strong gospel vibe, accentuated by Mick Jagger’s lead vocals and some spontaneous call-and-response exchanges with Gaga. The track is further underpinned by Wonder’s inspired accompaniment and a powerful horn section of James King on saxophone and Ron Blake on trumpet, playing a bass line created by Stevie.
Both star guested the main sessions for Hackney Diamonds, which took place from last December to this February at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with producer Andrew Watt at the helm. In his first time working with the Stones, the American producer-musician also plays bass on the track and on much of the album, while Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood exchange guitar riffs.