For a number of years, Keith Richards has expressed his desire for The Rolling Stones to record an album “hot off the road” like they used to in the 60s and 70s. For a while it looked like it just wasn't meant to be, but in 2016 Keith finally got his wish, and after touring every year since 2012, the Rolling Stones entered the studio to record their first album in eleven years.
Blue & Lonesome consists entirely of Chicago blues
songs originally performed by the likes of Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, and
Howlin’ Wolf. The Stones know this music as well as anybody; they began their
careers as a blues band and, although their music has encompassed an
impressively large array of styles over the years, the blues has remained the
foundation on which all their music is built. By going back to playing songs
that they love - the music that initially inspired them - the Stones have rediscovered the passion and
spontaneity that has, in my opinion, been missing from their recorded output for some time.
The tracks
are consistently high quality, performed with all the expertise you would
expect from a band that has been honing its craft for over five decades.
Charlie Watts is in his element as he lays down a subtle, swinging beat, and
Keith Richards and Ron Wood effortlessly trade rhythm and lead guitar duties
throughout (Ronnie’s playing on the track ‘Blue & Lonesome’ is especially
stunning). The standout performer is none other than Mick Jagger, who sings
with more passion and commitment than he has in many years. Rather than
impersonating his younger self, here he sounds relaxed and comfortable; the vocal
highlight for me is ‘Hoodoo Blues’, where Mick's voice drops to its previously-unheard
lowest setting, to great effect. Strong support is provided by Darryl Jones (a
highly skilled bass player, although Bill Wyman’s unusual basslines are still
sorely missed), Chuck Leavell (channelling the spirit of the late Ian Stewart
on piano), Matt Clifford (keyboards) and Eric Clapton, who pops up on two
tracks.
At one time it was tempting to think that the Rolling Stones – the real, endearingly ramshackle Rolling Stones – were gone forever, replaced by the huge touring behemoth they became in the late 80s. But they weren’t gone – they were just trapped beneath the weight of their own success, and now they’ve found a way out. Bob Dylan once wrote something about “moving forward by turning back the clock” and that is just what the Rolling Stones have done with Blue & Lonesome. Contrary to the title, this album is a sheer joy.
