The Rolling Stones' New Album 'Blue & Lonesome' Drops Today

— -- The Rolling Stones' first new studio album in 11 years, "Blue & Lonesome," arrives today. The 12-track collection of vintage blues covers was recorded live without overdubs in a London studio over the course of a few days.

Speaking to the media at a recent red-carpet event celebrating the New York opening of the band's "Exhibitionism" display, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards both talked about the impromptu recording of blues covers that came about while the Stones were preparing to make an album of original material.

"I think it's wonderful … because it was really not planned," Jagger told reporters, noting that it was gratifying to "make a record really that quickly and lightly" and to wind up with "something really good at the end of it."

Jagger added that he thought his bandmates Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts "played brilliantly on it."

As for Richards, he pointed out, "The thing about [Blue & Lonesome] is that we didn't intend to make a blues album. We just went in the studio and that's what happened, and it sort of made itself."

As previously reported, "Blue & Lonesome" includes renditions of songs by Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor and Memphis Slim. Eric Clapton plays guitar on two tracks -- "I Can't Quit You Baby" and "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing."

Wood, who also attended the red-carpet event, revealed that the tracks featuring Clapton were among his favorite from the album.

"I loved duetting with him on 'I Can't Quit You Baby,' and the slide he plays on 'Everybody Knows About My Good Thing,'" Wood declared. "It's incredible stuff."

"Blue & Lonesome" is available as a CD, vinyl LP, digital download and box set featuring the CD, a making-of book and a set of collectible postcards.