Back to the Roots in a certain sense is the motto of the latest Rolling Stones album, with which the aging rockers return to the field of the blues, dedicatedly rendered homage by Jagger, Richard and Jones, then together with Dick Taylor on the bass and Ian Stuart on the piano, at the time of the band’s debut on July 12, 1962, which in the meantime has survived longer than most of the blues singer song writers, such as the driving forces of Chicago Blues Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Fifty-four years later, the Rolling Stones found themselves together in the studio for three days of bliss nostalgia resulting in the first completely covered full-Chicago blues album from the planet's longest-lasting rock band. The rumor mill wants to know that the songs of the new album were originally not intended for release, but for warming up for a later appearing album. Whether this is true or not, you can confidently assume that the Rolling Stones have the Chicago Blues in their genes, so that they did not have real problems to record the 12 songs of the new album, the first one within a period of elf year. And the results are very respectable indeed. Moreover, the fans of the Old Boy Group are likely to breathe a sigh of relief when faced with Blue and Lonesome, since in case of this album we are not dealing with the boring business as usual attitude of the Stones, which had become common in recent years, indeed decades. In fact, much passion and commitment has been incorporated into the new production than, for example, into the last album or in the sold out live shows, which have mainly transported the message, we still exist and Mick Jagger can still be like a twenty-year-old with his guitar in front of him speeding like a wild dervish across the stage, which certainly is quite an accomplishment for a seventy-year-old.

There can be no question of boring routine in the case of the new album, and it can be assumed that Jagger has been relatively steadfast in the studio. In fact, the guys are likely to have had a lot of fun with the production, as in the case of "Midnight Rambler", which is a result of rocking guitar reps, vigorously seasoned with Jagger’s hearty blown harmonica contributions. Instead of smooth brushed, self-absorbed blues blessedness, the Stones devote themselves indulgently to the harsh shell of the blues. They act specially harshly in the case of "Commit a Crime", a Howlin' Wolf classic, a blues, which is decomposed into its components vocally violently by Mick Jagger. By the way: Eric Clapton can be heard with his guitar on two songs, so actively supporting the already strong rock guitar front of the Stones.

If the up to now nameless album, which has been produced for the same occasion, will be almost as vivid and authentic as Blue and Lonesome, the fans will be able to relaxedly look forward to the next ten years with the immortal Rolling Stones, who at least in the studio apparently are good for surprises.

Mick Jagger, vocals, harmonica
Keith Richards, guitar, vocals
Ronnie Wood, guitar
Charlie Watts, drums
Additional musicians:
Eric Clapton, guitar on "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing" and "I Can't Quit You Baby"
Matt Clifford, keyboards
Chuck Leavell, keyboards
Darryl Jones, bass
Jim Keltner, percussion on "Hoo Doo Blues"