Rating: 5/5 stars
The collaboration no one could have predicted is here. On Sept. 25, The Rolling Stones (“Blue & Lonesome”) released “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven,” which will be on their upcoming album “Hackney Diamonds.” The song features Stevie Wonder (“A Time to Love”) and Lady Gaga (“Love For Sale”). It is not a common combination, but certainly a welcome one.
Right away it is clear that Mick Jagger’s (“Strange Game”) voice is in exceptional shape, practically identical to his younger days. He clearly takes care of his voice, and since the Stones have not released an album since 2016, this is definitely a treat. Stevie Wonder’s piano playing is still as smooth as ever and he does it so effortlessly; you can practically feel the keys bouncing yourself. Jagger cues him around halfway in saying, “Play me something,” and Wonder obliges, making the piano sing sweetly. This song is a sort of return for him too, as Wonder’s last album was released in 2005, though he has done some featuring in the last few years with the likes of Elton John (“The Lockdown Sessions”) and John Legend (“A Legendary Christmas”).
Gaga sounds unrecognizable as she performs her part of this song with a style that differs greatly from her usual one. Even to a longtime fan, it would be hard to know it was her if she was not listed as a featured artist. That is not a bad thing, either; it only is a testimony to her talent as an artist. She is known for her impressive vocal range, so it makes sense. She can sing jazz, blues and much more than catchy pop dance tunes. Those who follow Gaga closely know that she truly does have a dynamic vocal range, and she has expanded her musical catalog in recent years to include jazz numbers. At the time of writing this she is currently on a tour in Las Vegas called “Lady Gaga Enigma + Jazz & Piano.” Not to mention, she also collaborated with the late and great Tony Bennett (“The Art of Romance”) on the album “Love For Sale” and even performed with him on more than a few numbers.
The best part about “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” is that no trace of Auto-Tune can be detected. If they are present, it does not show. The song is soulful and moving without lulling its audience to sleep. It feels like the first in a very long time that we have gotten a gospel rock song from any group, a song where the world and its troubles are paid special attention. Jagger sings, “Let no woman or child go hungry tonight/Please protect us from the pain and the hurt, yeah” as the beat of the song swings back and forth in an easygoing rhythm.
In an age where the term “rock” is thrown around so loosely to describe any music that involves a guitar, “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” appears to remind the general public of a lost art: the true power of soul and gospel in the hands of experienced artists. The roots of original rock are on display through that blend of genres, because without the invention of soul or gospel, there would be no rock to begin with. “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” is a lovely sample of what is to come from The Rolling Stones, fully deserving of praise from above and below.
Image from The Rolling Stones via YouTube
