As well as being one of the biggest bands in the world, The Rolling Stones are also the biggest champions of the blues, so who better to curate a compilation in collaboration with BMG and Universal, of the music that inspired them throughout their career?

Confessin’ The Blues collects together the greatest bluesmen ever and provides a perfect education to the genre. The tracklisting on the various formats has been chosen by The Rolling Stones, in collaboration with BMG and Universal and will be released on BMG on 9th November.

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 which appear in their original versions here on Confessin’ The Blues. Mick Jagger was an early fan of the Blues: “The first Muddy Waters album that was really popular was Muddy Waters at Newport, which was the first album I ever bought”. Keith Richards said, “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 genre, the band and BMG have decided that 10% of BMG’s net receipts from the sale of this album (with a minimum of £0.65 (2CD) / £1.25 (2LP) / £3.00 (Bookpack) UK pounds sterling) will be donated to the Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation.

Jacqueline Dixon, President/CEO of The Blues Heaven Foundation, said: ‘We are extremely honoured, grateful and humbled that Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation has been included in such an astonishing project. It means so much that my father’s dream of creating an organisation that promotes, protects and preserves the Blues for future generations is being recognised and supported by artists that have achieved so much.’

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, be they influencing Keith’s guitar licks or Mick’s vocals and lyrics. As 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”.

Confessin’ The Blues will be available as a 2CD set, 2x2 Vinyl LP sets and a 5x10” Vinyl bookpack (mimicking the original 78RPM releases). All versions include liner notes by music journalist Colin Larkin and the bookpack contains removeable art card prints by noted blues illustrator Christoph Mueller. The album cover artwork comes courtesy of Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood who has added his own personal twist to the project by painting his interpretation of a Bluesman.

Confessin’ The Blues is a real musical education from those who know the genre best, the greatest living band on the planet, The Rolling Stones.

Pre-order Confessin’ The Blues here or visit rollingstones.com for more information.

DISC ONE

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 HarpoI’m A King Bee
9. Magic Sam All Your Love
10. Elmore JamesDust My Broom
11. Little WalterJust 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 Rush I Can’t Quit You Baby 
21. Jay McShann & Walter Brown Confessin’ The Blues 

DISC TWO

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