Rolling Stones
Blue & Lonesome
Interscope/Polydor |

A while back, the
Rolling Stones were checking out Mark Knopfler’s
studio in London. To acclimate themselves to the
sound and surroundings, the band started playing
Little Walter’s “Blue and Lonesome.” That sounded so
good that the band decided to play a few more blues
covers and soon ended up with their first album in
eight years, Blue & Lonesome (Interscope/Polydor),
which is also their first all-blues album.
The blues has always
been at the core of the Stones’ rocking sound, even
when they ventured into various other musical styles
during their 50-plus years. You can sense this when
you hear the band rip through these 12 cover tunes.
There’s no attempt to put a modern spin on any of
these tracks …. these tracks are as raw and
unvarnished ass you will possibly ever hear on a
Rolling Stones album at this juncture of their
career, and come close to capturing the essence of
their original versions.
Guitarist Keith
Richards and Ron Wood strictly do it by feel and
they complement each other so well. Drummer Charlie
Watts and bassist Darryl Jones provide a bedrock
rhythm backing, along with longtime collaborator
Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford on keys. Mick Jagger
provides all of the lead vocals and also blows some
fiery harp on multiple tracks. Guitar legend Eric
Clapton also contributes slide and lead guitar on
two tracks (he was recording his recent album in the
same studio at the same time).
Several of the tracks
were either written by and/or performed by Little
Walter (“Just Your Fool,” “I Gotta Go,” “Hate To See
You Go,” and the title track), but there are also
tunes associated with Howlin’ Wolf (“Commit a
Crime,” “Just Like I Treat You”), Eddie Taylor
(“Ride ‘em On Down”) , Jimmy Reed (“Little Rain”),
Otis Rush (“I Can’t Quit You Baby”), and Magic Sam
(“All of Your Love”). There’s also a take on
Lightnin’ Slim’s “Hoo Doo Blues” and the Z.Z. Hill
soul/blues chestnut “Everybody Knows About My Good
Thing.”
Though the Stones
have at times moved away from this music, they’ve
really never stopped playing it, and when you stop
and think about it, they’ve been playing the blues
as long as many of their musical idols. This music
has seeped into their pores over time and is
basically part of their DNA at this point.
The album itself was
recorded in three days and it’s obvious from the
first note that this can only be a labor of love.
You could call it a “return to their roots,” if you
want, but this sounds so good that it’s clear that
the Rolling Stones never left them in the first
place.
---
Graham Clarke
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