The Last Time

The new Stones album well yeah. Over the last few days we’ve been playing it in the car, firing up the Sonos speakers at home after a year or two of furniture preening, an odd beast to my 75th birthday. Celebrate the thing, mixed feelings. The record is dotted with endings, of Charlie Watts’ last recordings with the group, a pop-in most likely overdubbed from bassist Bill Wyman who retired in the ‘90s. The ballads prop the ship up, Jagger’s vocals consistent and just plain beautiful on occasion. You can hear back into the catalogue through the matter-of-fact yeah we’re old but what really is the choice of pressing on. These guys are just a blessing on our lives.

The Israel Hamas War propels our attention to the blues underlying our times, as if it’s ever really been that different. The Muddy Waters tune the band appropriated for its name tags the gift of these craftsmen. I haven’t picked apart all the pieces of this mix of curtain calls, but I infer the skill of Ron Wood on background vocals and staged guitar parts in a way I’ve never cared or noticed before. New Producer Andrew somebody puts a little sweetening on the Stones feel that I’m sure will get dinged, but these guys really don’t give a fuck what we think. Another thing put to rest: it’s not Beatles or Stones, it’s and.