Blue & Lonesome

By Martine Ehrenclou

When I first listened to the much-anticipated new album, Blue & Lonesome by The Rolling Stones, released on December 2nd, 2016, I wasn’t taken by it. To be honest, Mick Jagger’s voice on these tracks didn’t do it for me. And I am a fan of The Rolling Stones and the blues. Having never listened to the original blues tunes that The Stones covered on the album as they were before my time, my first impression was that Mick Jagger’s harmonica playing, along with Keith Richards and Ron Wood on guitar, were the featured stars on the album. I soon learned that my initial reaction was of the minority and that Blue & Lonesome was being hailed as a trail blazing tribute to vintage blues.

Which is why I decided to interview veteran blues harmonica player, Felix Flanagan, to get his take on the album. He’s played with blues greats such as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Walter Trout, J.D. Nicholson, Deacon Jones, Southside Slim, Debbie Davies, Don Preston, Finis Tasby, Cassie Gaines, and many more.

Felix Flanagan

Felix Flanagan

Me: Felix, what do you think of the new Rolling Stones album, Blue and Lonesome?

Flanagan: I listened to Blue & Lonesome and thought it was a wonderful tribute to music that I, myself, and obviously The Stones, love very much. The musicianship was top notch, in particular Keith Richards and Ron Wood on guitars.

Me: Can you tell me more about your appreciation of the album?

Flanagan: The Stones were faithful to the originals. They paid homage to the blues style of the era. The sound of the instruments and the way the tracks were mixed was excellent. The production values were excellent. Don Was produced the album and it was recorded in three days.

Me: Can you elaborate further on what you most appreciate about the album?

Flanagan: The tracks had some of the same quality of the originals. They conjured up visions of the originals. Back then, the players were all recording in the same room, which lends itself to a certain spontaneity.

Me: Which songs did you like most?

Flanagan: Richards and Ron Wood were excellent, especially on the songs, “Hate To See You Go” and “Just Your Fool.”

Me: How did you think Mick Jagger did on harp?

Flanagan: He didn’t play like Little Walter, but who can? Mick Jagger’s playing was passable.

Me: I thought Jagger’s harmonica playing was one of the stars of the album, along with Keith Richards and Ron Wood on guitar.

Flanagan: There’s been some criticism of Mick’s harp playing by other professionals. But I thought he did a good job. Jagger is still a hell of a lot better player than his closest imitator, Steven Tyler. It was very listenable, in my humble opinion. I listen to music for the enjoyment, not to pick it to pieces. I haven’t purchased a newly released album since, well, they were still long playing vinyl records. As soon as this one turns up at Kmart for 2.99 in the clearance bin, I’m gonna buy it. I’m pretty sure Blue & Lonesome will be a best seller for some time.

Me: You mentioned Little Walter. Can you tell me about him?

Flanagan: Little Walter is widely regarded as the greatest harmonica player of all time in the blues genre. He was also a prolific songwriter. He wrote the title track, “Blue & Lonesome,” “Just Your Fool” “”Hate To See You Go” and “I Gotta Go.” He was among the first to cup a microphone and a harp in the same hand and plug directly into an amplifier, giving the sound a whooping, saxophone-like sound. In addition, his technical virtuosity set him heads and shoulders above his contemporaries. This still holds true to this day.

His influence on those who followed his lineage cannot be denied. In 1965, both the Beatles and The Stones were recycling American Roots music at the time. Both groups were conscientious about crediting the original artists in the liner notes on the label and disc. Also, both groups and the other English blues bands were conscientious about crediting the original artists in the liner notes and on the label on the disc, with the exception of Led Zeppelin. Those early Stones recordings had a certain level of intensity and power similar to the recordings of their idols.

I was one of the millions of young people across this nation transfixed by the music. As I would read the liner notes, I became curious, and set about a lifetime search for recordings by such artists as Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and so many others.

Me: Why do you think The Stones chose to record Blue & Lonesome?

Flanagan: The Stones went on to become what many refer to as the greatest rock and roll band in the world. It is only natural and fitting that they should choose to pay homage to the artists who inspired them in the beginning. I commend them for doing that and feel they’ve done an excellent job. Especially for a bunch of rich white guys.

Thanks, Felix!

Blue & Lonesome from The Rolling Stones is available on:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kRHMjH

iTunes: goo.gl/sezUpN