Artist:     Various Artists, Curated by the Rolling Stones

Album:     Confessin’ the Blues

Label:     BMG

Release Date:     11.9.2018

98

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

Being a lifelong record collector who’s amassed over 11,000 records—most of them blues-related—this comprehensive blues compilation is near to my heart. The 2-CD collection, each with 21 tracks, was curated by the Rolling Stones, an inspired concept. I know firsthand this is their music of choice.

The Stones picked all the right artists: Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Elmore James, Magic Sam, Big Maceo, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Billy Boy Arnold, Bo Diddley, Eddie Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Boy Blue, Slim Harpo, Little Johnny Taylor, Big Bill Bronzy, Dale Hawkins, Lightin’ Slim, Buddy Guy, Ames Milburn, BB king, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Jay McShann and Walter Brown.

The packaging on Confessin’ the Blues is second to none. A terrific booklet has photos of some of the artists on the CD, and bios of each artist. The front cover of the book and the cover of the CD is a painting by Stones’ guitarist Ronnie Wood, Wood being a great player as well as a fine art painter. It is available on vinyl to get an even bigger package.

Confessin’ the Blues is just a small sampling of all these iconic artists’ work. For the blues aficionado, it’s a great listen, with nothing but top-notch picks, and for the more average music fan, it’s a perfect overview of the genre. Hopefully this will open a new fan’s ears to explore all these artists’ must-have music, and for those that already own the music, to keep on listening. The Rolling Stones have done their part in saving American Music.

—Arnie Goodman