As the one-year anniversary of the release of The Rolling Stones’ latest studio album, Hackney Diamonds, approaches, the British rock icons have announced plans to issue a special two-LP vinyl version of the record to commemorate the milestone.
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The double-disc set, pressed on blue-splatter vinyl, will be released on December 6. The collection will feature the original 11-track album on one LP and recordings of the seven songs that The Rolling Stones performed at their October 19, 2023, album-release party at the New York City club Racket on the second.
The two-LP set comes with a 24-page booklet featuring photos from the club performance by respected rock photographer Kevin Mazur.
Hackney Diamonds (Anniversary Edition) can be pre-ordered now from The Rolling Stones’ online store. Special bundles featuring the two-disc set packaged with a T-shirt, a lithograph of the Racket show’s set list, and both items also are available at the online store.
More About Hackney Diamonds
Hackney Diamonds was released on October 20, 2023. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and spent two non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. chart. It marked The Rolling Stones’ 14th chart-topping album in their home country.
Hackney Diamonds features appearances by a variety of guest artists, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, and former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman. Late Stones drummer Charlie Watts is featured on two tracks, while the band’s current touring drummer, Steve Jordan, played on the other 10 songs.
Lady Gaga sings a duet with Stones frontman Mick Jagger on “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” which closes the album. Wonder plays keyboards on the track. McCartney contributes bass to the punk-influenced song “Bite My Head Off.”
Wyman lent his talents to “Live by the Sword,” one of the tunes that also features Watts, thereby creating a reunion of the classic middle-era Stones lineup. Elton played on piano on “Live by the Sword,” as well as on the song “Get Close.”
Singles from Hackney Diamonds
Three tracks were released as singles from Hackney Diamonds—“Angry,” “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” and “Mess It Up.”
“Angry” reached No. 34 on the U.K. singles chart, No. 32 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs tally, and No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult Album Alternative (AAA) chart. “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” reached No. 45 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. “Mess It Up” peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard AAA tally.
“Angry” also was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rock Song category.
About the Album-Release Show
The Rolling Stones’ seven-song set at the Racket club included renditions of the classic tunes “Shattered,” “Tumbling Dice,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” It also featured the live debut of four songs from Hackney Diamonds—“Angry,” “Whole Wide World,” “Bite My Head Off,” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”
To close the concert, Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance, joining Jagger and company to sing “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”
Hackney Diamonds (Anniversary Edition) Track List:
LP 1
- “Angry”
- “Get Close”
- “Depending on You”
- “Bite My Head Off”
- “Whole Wide World”
- “Dreamy Skies”
- “Mess It Up”
- “Live by the Sword”
- “Driving Me Too Hard”
- “Tell Me Straight”
- “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” (featuring Lady Gaga)
- “Rolling Stone Blues”
LP 2: Live at Racket, NYC
- “Shattered”
- “Angry”
- “Whole Wide World”
- “Tumbling Dice”
- “Bite My Head Off”
- “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
- “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” (featuring Lady Gaga)
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