Rolling Stones’ Favorite Blues Tunes: New Compilation

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BMG and Universal released Confessin’ the Blues, a collection of classic blues tracks chosen by the Rolling Stones, in various formats on Nov. 9. The Stones, of course, have long been supporters of the blues, from before the start of their career right through to their latest album, Blue & Lonesome, which featured their interpretations of the classics; many of those songs appear in their original versions on Confessin’ the Blues. Mick Jagger was an early fan of the genre: “The first Muddy Waters album that was really popular was Muddy Waters at Newport, which was the first album I ever bought,” he has said.

As such big supporters of the genre, the band and BMG have announced that 10 percent of BMG’s net receipts from the sale of this album will be donated to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation (registered as a 501C3 non-profit organization in the United States).

Watch Ronnie Wood at the album launch party

Jacqueline Dixon, President/CEO of the Blues Heaven Foundation, said, in a press release, “We are extremely honored, grateful and humbled that Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation has been included in such an astonishing project. It means so much that my father’s dream of creating an organization that promotes, protects and preserves the Blues for future generations is being recognized and supported by artists that have achieved so much.”

Listen to the title track by Jay McShann

Confessin’ the Blues includes tracks by some of the biggest blues pioneers, including Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Big Bill Broonzy and Robert Johnson. All of these artists had an impact on the nascent Stones, whether influencing Keith Richards’ guitar licks or Jagger’s vocals and lyrics. As Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says in the announcement, “That’s how Mick and Keith first got close as well, on the train coming back from college. They noticed each other’s record collection and it was, ‘Hey, you’ve got Muddy Waters. You must be a good guy, let’s form a band.’”

Confessin’ the Blues is available as a 2-CD set, 2×2 vinyl LP sets and a 5×10” vinyl book-pack (mimicking the original 78 rpm releases). All versions include liner notes by music journalist Colin Larkin and the book-pack contains removable art card prints by noted blues illustrator Christoph Mueller. The album cover artwork comes courtesy of Wood, who has added his own personal twist to the project by painting his interpretation of a bluesman.

Watch the official trailer

Track Listing
1. Muddy Waters Rollin’ Stone
2 Howlin’ Wolf Little Red Rooster
3. John Lee Hooker Boogie Chillen
4. Little Walter Hate To See You Go
5. Chuck Berry Little Queenie
6. Bo Diddley You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover
7. Eddie Taylor Ride ‘Em On Down
8. Slim Harpo I’m A King Bee
9. Magic Sam All Your Love
10. Elmore James Dust My Broom
11. Little Walter Just Your Fool 12. Muddy Waters I Want To Be Loved
13. Big Bill Broonzy Key To The Highway
14. Robert Johnson Love In Vain Blues
15. Mississippi Fred McDowell You Gotta Move
16. Jimmy Reed Bright Lights, Big City
17. Big Maceo Worried Life Blues
18. Little Johnny Taylor Everybody Knows About My Good Thing (Part 1)
19. Howlin’ Wolf Commit A Crime
20. Otis RushI Can’t Quit You Baby
21. Jay McShann & Walter Brown Confessin’ The Blues

Disc Two:
1. Howlin’ Wolf Just Like I Treat You
2. Little Walter I Got To Go
3. Chuck Berry Carol
4. Bo Diddley Mona
5. Muddy Waters I Just Want To Make Love To You
6. Elmore James Blues Before Sunrise
7. Eddie Taylor Bad Boy
8. Boy Blue Boogie Children
9. Jimmy Reed Little Rain
10. Robert Johnson Stop Breakin’ Down Blues
11. Reverend Robert Wilkins The Prodigal Son
12. Lightnin’ Slim Hoodoo Blues
13. Billy Boy Arnold Don’t Stay Out All Night
14. Bo Diddley Craw Dad
15. Dale Hawkins Suzie Q
16. Amos Milburn Down The Road Apiece
17. Howlin’ Wolf Little Baby
18. Little Walter Blue And Lonesome
19. B.B. King Rock Me Baby
20. Buddy Guy Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues
21. Muddy Waters Mannish Boy