Rolling Stones Album: Blue and Lonesome
Release Date: December 2, 2016
Label: Polydor
Popular Songs:
· Just Your Fool (YouTube)
· Hate to See You Go (YouTube)
Songs You Need to Check Out:
· I Gotta Go (YouTube)
· Commit a Crime (YouTube)
· Just Like I Treat You (YouTube)
Are the Stones prodigal sons seeking the comforts of what they’ve forsaken; or are they devout disciples, showcasing the music they love? Motivations aside, it’s awesome that at the root, the Rolling Stones are still a blues band after nearly six decades filled with: tabloid gossip, jam-packed stadiums, countless hit songs, children, divorces, Grammy awards, millions of records sold and millions of dollars earned. Blue and Lonesome isn’t their best album, but the recording quality is fantastic and the album invites the listener to explore the Blues. Those accepting the invitation will be treated to a truly American music style, as well as a familiarity with the roots of rock and roll.
The songs covered traverse a lot of years; the bulk are from the post-war years of the late 1940s and 1950s. The era was a transitional one. Across America, recently returned vets were experiencing the turbulence and joy associated with raising a family: love gained and lost, struggling to make economic ends meet and all other factors that create the minutia of everyday life. The ’40s and ’50s also featured the menacing threat of a country espousing an antithetically opposing political philosophy armed with the ability to bomb us off the face of the Earth. Tensions abounded in the ’40s and ’50’s as segregation was still a major factor in American Life. The mood of the times was reflected in the blues.
In many ways the music of the post-war USA was rich with joy, seemingly unaware of struggle. This is so because music is also a means of escape. The sound generated by the likes of like Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Willie Dixon (all covered on this album) feature more than just blues – they blended the blues with jazz, soul, and pop. These folks weren’t just providing their take on the blues, they were creating rock and roll. Blues greats (along with other early rockers and jazz artists too numerous to call out in this review) were turning the other cheek – despite the stresses they bore, they created music that made people dance. Eventually, societal stresses will bubble to the point of protest in the 1960s. The angst and discontent of those times combined with how it’s reflected in the Stones, work will be discussed in future reviews. A lesson for our times, one that the current occupant of the White House needs to understand, is that a country providing the downtrodden masses a microphone to voice their discontent has always been great.
The musicianship, packaging and sound quality of this effort are all superb; the Stones passion for the genre is evident throughout. Mick’s vocals are strong, front to back and show no signs of fatigue. It’s as if the “Clock of Time” has ignored his voice. Individual participants all shine in a complementary fashion, each helping to boost the contribution of one another. In particular, Mick’s harmonica guides many of the songs. Its impact is as pronounced as the repeated jab of a middleweight or the guiding force of a lighthouse. Oh boy how things evolve, nearly 60 years later it’s Mick’s instrumentation standing out…sorry Brian! The harmonica is a focal point on my favorite track, “I Gotta Go.” Honestly, I enjoyed this fantastic song so much that I was forced to take a pause from the album. I just couldn’t stop listening to it! Rest assured, eventually I collected myself and was able to give the album a proper run through. My goodness I love “I Gotta Go.”
Other Highlights…
The cover of Little Walter’s “Ride ‘Em On Down” has a carefree, Saturday afternoon sort of vibe. Who doesn’t enjoy a Saturday afternoon? One small gripe, I enjoy both Willie Dixon songs appearing on the album (“Just Like I Treat You,” and “I Can’t Quit You Baby”) but I feel as if “Just Like I Treat You” should be the album’s finale. Moving it to the end would send the listener off in a jovial, rockingly pleasant mood. Of course, an argument certainly could be made that a blues record shouldn’t end in a festive air. “Just Your Fool” rounds out my favorites. As an up upbeat opener, it sets the mood for the album – bluesy but with a Stonesy rock-esque flair.
Since this is a homecoming record, I propose the highest praise to confer upon these songs is if they could be inserted into the Stones early albums. For example, a Blue and Lonesome song passes muster if it could be a part of Out of Our Heads. With this as our litmus, numerous songs measure up: “Just Like I Treat You,” “Little Rain,” “Hoodoo Blues,” “Hate to See You Go,” “I Gotta Go,” and “Just Your Fool.”
Lastly, the elephant in the room…a person can’t listen to Blue and Lonesome and wonder if it’s the Stones last. After a long enjoyable career where folks have been foretelling their finale since well, the 80s (or possibly earlier) it’s a legitimate question to ponder. If this is their last, I think a listener will think something along the lines of…”makes sense.” It makes sense because it completes a great arc. Who doesn’t look back on their life and long to revisit memorable moments? I don’t believe the greatness of this album is represented in its tracks. I think Mick, Kieth and the rest of the crew are inviting us to explore the music that inspired them. It is the music that created rock and roll and eventually, it’s greatest band. Below is a playlist comprised of the people covered on this album. Enjoy
| Song | Artist |
| Little Red Rooster | Howlin’ Wolf |
| Just You and I (Live) | Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon |
| Sittin’ and Cryin’ the Blues | Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon |
| Whiskey Store Blues | Memphis Slim |
| Love Me With a Feeling | Magic Sam |
| Blue Midnight | Little Walter |
| Hard Times | Eddie Taylor, Floyd Jones |
| I’m Gonna Ruin You | Jimmie Reed |
| I Can’t Quit You, Baby | Willie Dixon |
| The Seventh Son | Willie Dixon |
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