Rolling Stones Blue Lonesome

When the Rolling Stones began as a group in 1962, they were true scholars of American Blues music from the Mississippi-Delta region even though they were British-born. This was due in part to the record collection of a young Economics student named Michael Philip Jagger[Mick, as he's known to us]which attracted to the attention of a guitarist Keith Richards, whom Mick has known since the age of 6. It was this music of how friendship as well as musicianship blossomed. These two Dartford, Kent natives hooked up with another guitarist who went by the name of Elmo Lewis turned out to be Brian Jones, whom like Mick would also play harmonica as well. Along with pianist Ian Stewart and other musicians, the Stones would cement their mark on the British blues scene and made their debut performance at London's Marquee Club on July 12, 1962. Within six months hence, the classic lineup as come to know would be complete with the addition of bassist Bill Wyman(In December 1962) and drummer Charlie Watts(In January of 1963), whom Mick previously played with two years in Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated featuring a young Jack Bruce playing upright bass. Once they began under the management of Andrew Loog Oldham during the spring of 1963 and have secured residence at The Crawdaddy Club, the Stones would take off then become a touring outfit and would mix their repertoire with blues covers as well as their own developing music. Those early albums would be sprinkled with blues covers owing debt to those who inspired them musically. They even got to record at Chicago's Chess Studios not to mention got a chance to meet whom they've heard on record. On this, the Stones first studio effort in over a decade, they fully owe their debt to those who inspired them and these set of songs were ones they never recorded before. For the first time in their half-century career, the Stones cover 4 selections by Little Walter[The influence behind Mick Jagger's harmonica playing]-"Just Your Fool"; "Blue And Lonesome"; "I Gotta Go" and "I Hate To See You Go". To add the latest roster of Willie Dixon covered tunes is "Just Like I Treat You" and "I Can't Quit You Baby"[The latter of which they are joined by Eric Clapton, another blues scholar]. They also cover Howlin' Wolf's "Commit A Crime", Lightnin' Slim's "Hoodoo Blues", Magic Sam's "All Of Your Love", Jimmy Reed's "Little Rain", Eddie Taylor's "Ride 'Em On Down" and Little Johnnie Taylor's "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing"[Featuring Eric Clapton on slide guitar]. The original recordings penned by Willie Dixon were from Howlin' Wolf("Just Like I Treat You") and Otis Rush("I Can't Quit You Baby"), by the way. Co-produced by Don Was, the Stones display their talents for the blues throughout these even dozen tracks. Keith Richards trading licks with other guitarist Ronnie Wood[Who joined the group in 1975 outlasting his tenure longer than his two predecessors Brian Jones and Mick Taylor combined and is now a member longer than when Bill Wyman was in the group after leaving in 1992], Charlie Watts delivers his greatest drumming efforts and Mick Jagger gets downright raw as a vocalist and wails excellent blues harp. The Stones are supplemented by bassist Darryl Jones[Known for working with Miles Davis, Sting, Madonna and Whitney Houston] and keyboardists Matt Clifford and Chuck Leavell[Formerly of The Allman Brothers Band, then filled in for Ian Stewart on the Stones 1982 European tour before permanently taking over upon Stewart's passing in 1985]. Famed session drummer Jim Keltner pitches in on percussion for "Hoo Doo Blues", besides. The sound is rich bass-wise and a bit crude to capture the true rawness of the group. This album was done in a 3-day session in mid-December 2015 and was probably the quickest time that the Rolling Stones ever recorded an album as a group. Why, even their first album took two months to record back in 1964. This album is a delightful treat for anybody who appreciates the blues and nobody but the Stones could do it themselves. In a way it's a shame they never did a whole album in such a fashion back when either Brian Jones or Mick Taylor were part of the lineup even though they sprinkled the odd album or two with a blues cover. Never too late, I always say. Even a true Stones fan will appreciate this one, too.

I grew up with The Rolling Stones, i've probably seen them more times live than any other band. I am also a musician, and a huge lover of the blues – – which the Stones introduced me to... if you were never really into The Stones, we're not really that much into the blues, or are a blues purest – – you're not going to be all that impressed with this album... but, you will not be disappointed either. Some music is great in and of itself and requires no context. This album is great in large part because of the context. If you are a Stones fan you know their roots in music, and you've probably heard the stories of them meeting blues greats like Muddy Waters.... That all said, they feel the music they are playing, these guys were never any kind of technical wizards... Eric Clapton could wipe the floor with these boys... technically... but I bet that Eric Clapton would love this album just as much as any of us would. As so many other reviewer's have stated, this is real blues, it's felt and not over thought. The Rolling Stones certainly don't need the money, and this album is done out of pure joy and love. Many of my favorite Rolling Stones recordings have been live recordings of them doing old blue standards....The Macombo side of Love You Live, for example.... which, now that I think about it, it's a way better album side than Blue and Lonesome... but that was them back then. This album is them now. And if I lost the CD tomorrow, I'd buy it again. The Rolling Stones are the real deal, and so is this album.... Sidenote: I had forgotten how great of a harmonica player Mick is. Many of the other reviews here expressed a dislike for how many harmonica solos there are on this album... well, I am a musician and I play harmonica, so it's hard for me to ever think there is too much harmonica... besides, nothing expresses the blues more eloquently than harmonica. Mick is not the greatest player in the world, but here again, it's partly the context which endears me. Just as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, who's playing was not necessarily that sophisticated, it's the context of the blues itself which can give its own meaning. Partly what I liked about the album is the way that it was recorded which was basically live with very little postproduction work. You just get the feeling that they showed up at the studio and just play with what they felt in those three days… Because that is what they actually did. This music lives in their bones, there's not a whole lot of preparation that has to go into any of this... in many ways these tunes, like the Rolling Stones themselves, are like an oh-so-dear friend who we never get tired of, and want to see and hear again and again.... I think too, that part of the alute of this album is that these bluesman are getting on in years, and one day Keith will be gone. He will be dead… (Now it is possible that will not prevent him from playing lol!) And when he is gone, and Mick is gone that will be it, wont it... so we who love them, and love their blues want to get as much as we can from them while there is still time...

Why do we still listen to The Rolling Stones? Because even in their 70's they can make an album like this. Classic Blues tracks as they are meant to sound.

A blues band returning to its roots. The Stones know the Blues like the back of their hands. And a fitting tribute to all the greats that had inspired them in their early years. Wish Brian Jones had been alive.

This album was a bit of a surprise, both in timing and in content. Both were very pleasant surprises. Despite the "rock", the Stones have been a blues band at their core since the beginning, so it's nice to see them head back to works like these and put their own s[in on them. These are ALL blues covers: not an original song here. So, those expecting some new Stones material will be disappointed (at least until they listen). This isn't classic blues, of course...this is the Stones' blues, which is inimitable and catchy. Right back from their first album in 1964, the Stones have paid homage to the blues (their first album offered up versions of blues from Willie Dixon and Jimmy Reid, for example), so in many ways this is a celebration of the Stones' longevity as well as a return to their beginnings. This album has a great mix of music, from Howlin' Wolf's "Commit a Crime" through classics like Little Johnny Taylor's "Everybody Know About My Good Thing" and Little Walters' "I Gotta Go". Every song here is done with love and reverence, but there's an unmistakable Stones vibe to it all, from Richards' vocals through the guitar mastery of Woods and Richards. Whether you're a blues fan or a Stones fan, both, or neither, there's something here you'll like. This is an infectious album, a great tribute, and a great listen. Certainly a landmark recording of the year (maybe the decade) and a tribute to the Stones and their love of blues; exceptional stuff.

Gut wenn man die "bluesige Seite" der Stones mag😊

Questi dannati vecchi, ancora una volta sono riusciti a stupire il mondo. Sono usciti con un doppio vinile con 12 brani che risalgono quasi tutti al periodo tra il 1955 e il 1961, e, escludendo “I can’t quit you baby” non sono neanche famosi. Questa è una prova di forza e di consapevolezza della posizione che occupano nel mondo musicale, e cioè l'Olimpo. Per sottolineare ciò, si sono permessi di registrare il disco praticamente in diretta, in tre giorni. Su 2 brani compare l'ospite Eric Clapton, forse stava incidendo nello studio attiguo e, vista l'amicizia, è stato invitato a suonare con loro, come noi invitiamo un amico a bere un caffè. Anche la copertina è semplicissima (il loro logo) ma molto raffinata, sia nel disegno che nei colori. L'incisione è buona ma non a livello hi-end, ma va bene così. Il vinile è di ottima qualità, dritto e silenzioso. Concludendo: ACQUISTATELO!!!