Cover artwork by Ronnie Wood
The Rolling Stones have compiled a blues compilation album that has inspired their music. Confessin’ The Blues collects the greatest bluesmen ever and provides a perfect study of the genre. The tracks have been chosen by the Rolling Stones in collaboration with BMG and Universal across multiple packages on November 9th.
Confessin’ The Blues will be available as a 2 CD set, 2 LP set 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.
The Rolling Stones 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 here on Confessin’ The Blues. Mick Jagger was an early fan of the genre, stating “The first Muddy Waters album that was really popular was Muddy Waters at Newport, which was the first album I ever bought.” Keith Richards proclaims, “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.”
As such big supporters of the blues, the band and BMG have decided that ten percent of BMG’s net receipts* from the sale of this album will be donated to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization in the United States.
Confessin’ The Blues includes tracks by 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 Rolling Stones, whether influencing Richards’ guitar licks or Jagger’s vocals and lyrics. As Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says, “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.’”
CD 1:
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 It’s 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
CD 2:
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
