Al compas del mundo - programa #88 - The Rolling Stones and their blues mentors

Good ol’ scarface Walter. Was there ever a prettier mug to grace the cover of an album? Or a better, slicker and more tasteful harp player? And consider Howlin’ Wolf – gravel for a voice, distinguished song writing and harmonica talent, a sense of humor, and a gentle man in every sense in spite of his intimidating presence. Unmatched. I’m naming blues legends here as this week’s Al Compas del Mundo presents The Rolling Stones playing the blues, a heavy inspiration for the band at their outset in the early 60’s. And then you get to hear the same songs as they were originally performed in Chicago, Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere outside of London by a bunch of “heavy heads”. Blue and Lonesome was released in 2016 by The Stones and was their first album ever consisting completely of covers – of blues, by the originators in this case. My hat is off to them for choosing lesser-known tunes, even from better-known musicians. I couldn’t fit them all in during a one-hour show, but Jimmy Reed and Willie Dixon were also called to the party alongside Magic Sam, Eddie Taylor, Lightnin’ Slim, and Little Johnny Taylor. I, personally, find The Stones’ versions a bit sluggish and overwrought, though I suppose that is like comparing Salieri to Mozart (look it up). Still, I’m sure a good time was had by all. - J. H.

Run list for The Rolling Stones and their blues mentors - First broadcast 8-3-2023

01 Rolling Stones - Commit a Crime

02 Howlin' Wolf - Commit a Crime

03 Rolling Stones - Blue and Lonesome

04 Little Walter - Blue and Lonesome

05 Rolling Stones - Everybody Knows About My Good Thing

06 Little Johnny Taylor - Everybody Knows About My Good Thing

07 Rolling Stones - All of Your Love

08 Magic Sam - All of Your Love

09 Rolling Stones - Just Like I Treat You

10 Howlin' Wolf - Just Like I Treat You

11 Rolling Stones - Hoodoo Blues

12 Lightnin' Slim - Hoodoo Blues

13 Rolling Stones - Ride 'Em on Down

14 Eddie Taylor - Ride 'Em On Down

15 Rolling Stones - I Gotta Go

16 Little Walter - I Gotta Go

17 Rolling Stones - Little Rain (acknowledgements to Jimmy Reed – ran out of time for his original killer version!)

Note 1: the highest Blue and Lonesome ever reached on the Mexican charts was #18 (#73 in South Korea). Y que? I think they made up for it in the U.K. and other civilized outposts. Sniff sniff. J.H.

Note 2: What a great list! But in the interest of Blues Buffin' and in the My Humble Opinion Dept., I am going to put forward Jr Wells as the definitve Hoodoo Man Blues man, as he did it on States, re-released on Delmark, and re-recorded on important samely titled Delmark LP with Buddy Guy in late 60s or early 70s. Now, he got this, like a lot of people got a lot of stuff, from Sonny Boy Williamson I. But it became a Jr signature. - Webmaster Jack

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