Blue & Lonesome Analysis + Review
By Frank Hamedl on 11 May 2017
"If you don't know the blues, there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll
or any other form of popular music" - Keith Richards
...
"To make a rock n' roll record, technology is the least important thing" - Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones have returned to the studio. Not only that, they have also returned to their DNA roots in blues. In the early 1960's, before The Stones became "The Greatest Rock n' Roll Band in the World," they originated as an enthusiastic blues band playing blues-covers at clubs in England. Now, 55 years later, the band has created their first covers and full blues album. After receiving unanimous positive reviews, selling millions of copies, and even winning Jazz FM's album of the year, how good is The Rolling Stones latest studio album? - It's an absolute masterpiece of blues revival.
"I'm just your fool, can't help myself; I love you baby, and no one else
I ain't crazy, you are my baby; I'm just your fool ...
If you're gonna leave me for someone new,
Gonna buy me a shotgun and shoot it at you"
So, what exactly lead The Stones to record Blue & Lonesome? In some way, it was a mistake. Since 2012, when the band celebrated their 50th anniversary, The Stones have been touring continuously (2012/13: 50 & Counting, 2014: 14 on Fire, 2015: Zip Code, 2016: America Latina Ole, 2017: No Filter Tour). After continued live success, and the popularity of Keith's incredible 2015 solo album Crosseyed Heart, The Stones were itching to get back to the studio for a new original rock album. However, this did not end up happening. While recording in December 2015, the band wanted to warm up playing some old blues tunes. The Stones were having a great time, and kept on playing the blues. (They had so much fun recording this, at the end of some songs like "I Gotta Go" and "I Can't Quit You Baby," you can even hear the band cheering in excitement.) They even grabbed blues-rock legend Eric Clapton to drop a few tracks with them, who was recording his own studio album down the hall. And just like that, in three short days, The Rolling Stones have their new record like it was destined to happen.
"I'm gonna leave you baby, before I commit a crime
You tried so hard to kill me, but woman it just was not my time ...
You put poison in my coffee, instead of milk or cream
You bout the evilest woman, that I ever seen"
"I'm blue and lonesome as a man can be
My love has gone away from me
Baby, please baby, please come back home to me
Yeah, my heart is full of misery"
Blue & Lonesome has a strong start, and from just the first few seconds on "Just Your Fool," The Stones embody a dynamic energy that is rare in modern music. The album is a breath of fresh air, comprised of raw, one cut takes, and not too reliant on modern technology. The Stones seem to transform into an unrecognizable blues band with its pure, raw, gritty, and dominant blues sound. One might argue The Stones are even time travelers, as it sounds they traveled back to the 1960's when they covered blues songs such as "Little Red Rooster." Nonetheless, one of the most apparent takeaways is there are no weak tracks. While none of the songs were designed to be worldwide number 1 hit singles, each song is different and unique. The Stones aim for musical quality and not popularity. Standouts on the record include "I Gotta Go," "Ride 'Em On Down," "Hate To See You Go," and "Little Rain."
"All of your love, baby can it be mine
I hate to be the one, The one left behind
All your love, I've got to have ya one day
Don't you leave me baby, Please come back this way"
The mood of Blue & Lonesome is quickly and easily established, even from its name. A reoccurring theme throughout the album is feeling blue and full of misery and loneliness after someone special has left, with a constant declare of begging "please come back to me." Besides this bleeding through the lyrics, the band portrays this feeling through Keith and Ronnie's guitar licks, Charlie's drum beat, and Mick's vocals and amazing harmonica. Serious emotion is felt and constantly changes. On songs like "Just Your Fool" and "I Gotta Go," there is a sense of excitement and joy, followed by anger in "Commit a Crime" and then depression on haunting tracks like "Little Rain" and "All of Your Love." You can hear the passion, grief, remorse, and love in Mick's voice on songs like "All of Your Love," "Hate To See You Go," "Hoo Doo Blues," "I Can't Quit You Baby." Overall, the whole band delivers an A+ stellar performance, with Mick performing some of his finest vocal achievement in his career.
"Leavin' in the mornin', Baby you know I got to go ...
I've got the blues, And I can't stay here no more"
While Blue & Lonesome has many achievements, not every album is perfect and there are some flaws. One of the best aspects about Rolling Stones albums is a sense of diversity. For example, on Exile on Main St. and Some Girls, there are many different genres of songs, including rock and roll, blues, country, soul, disco, hard rock, and more. Since Blue & Lonesome is 100% a blues record, there are no other genres explored. However, the album does include different forms of blues music, including more upbeat, fanfare tracks, and smoother, slower, darker songs.
It is also slightly disappointing not hearing Keith on vocals or Mick on guitar. It could be because of Mick's clear and standout harmonica, which has a solo on every song on the record. Mick's performance is like a powerful storm and defines Mick as one of the best harmonica players that ever lived. However, sometimes it stands out too much and covers up Keith and Ronnie's background guitar lines, which sometimes goes unnoticed and underappreciated. Like other Stones gems, it requires repeated listening's to dissect and hear all the hidden moving parts.
It is also slightly disappointing not hearing Keith on vocals or Mick on guitar. It could be because of Mick's clear and standout harmonica, which has a solo on every song on the record. Mick's performance is like a powerful storm and defines Mick as one of the best harmonica players that ever lived. However, sometimes it stands out too much and covers up Keith and Ronnie's background guitar lines, which sometimes goes unnoticed and underappreciated. Like other Stones gems, it requires repeated listening's to dissect and hear all the hidden moving parts.
"The way you left me - Left me here to cry
Now I love her, Know she's my desire
The way you left me - You just don't know
Come on back, baby - Honey, please don't go
Well, I love you, You'll never know
Come on back, baby, You know you done me wrong
You know I love you - Please, come on home"
Overall, Blue & Lonesome continues the legacy of the most legendary band in the world. But will it stand out and become regarded as one of the best albums of all time, along with Exile on Main St., Some Girls, and Sticky Fingers? Only time will tell as Stones records age like fine wine: the more you listen to it, the better it gets. However, this proves the future and legacy of The Stones is bright, and we can even expect a new studio album with newly recorded Glimmer Twin originals. The 55 year old rock band has accomplished something that no other band can claim. Blue & Lonesome proves that age does not slow down The Stones, and defines them not as only "The Greatest Rock n' Roll Band in the World" but also "The Greatest Blues Band in the World."
"A little rain fallin', a little clock keep away the time ...
I would like to love you baby, underneath the shining moon"
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"Yes, you know I always loved you baby
And my love for you I never hide
You know I'm cray about you baby, you're my one desire
Yes, I'm so tired, I'm so tired now baby
I'm so tired I want to lay down and cry
You hear me moaning and groaning, baby
You know it hurts me deep down inside
You know you're my only heart desire"