Arguably the greatest rock band ever, and definitely the longest lasting, The Rolling Stones are caught on film on this 2 cd/dvd returning to where they began their initial “Invasion” of America back in 1964, two score years earlier, at Madison Square Garden, with the sexagenarian (don’t even go there) team in energized form.
Charter members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts are teamed with regulars Ronnie Wood, Bobby Keys, Darryl/b, Chuck Leavell/key, a horn section of Michael Davis/Kent Smith/Tim Ries and vocalists Lisa Fischer/Blondie Chaplin and Bernard Fowler, with kindred spirit Sheryl Crow joining in for a Guinness-raising “Honky Tonk Woman”. Also included into the mix are a handful of performances from a show in Amsterdam, some ‘fly-on-the-wall’ footage of the members rehearsing . Last but not least is a 51 minute documentary Tip of the Tongue that gives insight to the band preparing for the various gigs and rehearsals in Paris and Toronto, leading to the album of the same name.
And then there’s also some music!
As expected there are tons of hits from the “classic” years of the 60s and 70s, with a tad of material from recent studio albums, such as “Thru and Thru” and “Don’t Stop”. Jagger is in tremendous form and voice, jumping and jacked through “Street Fighting Man” and “Start Me Up” and shows great pathos on “Angie”. Richards sounds fantastic singing “Happy” and sears through “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” and “Sympathy For The Devil” along with Ron Wood, while the rhythm team grooves through “Let It Bleed” and “Midnight Rambler”.
There are many previously unreleased songs for those who may have earlier incarnations, and the sound/visual quality is high class. Being rooted in the blues, the Stones were always able to stay with and adapt to the times, with 3 generations of fans in attendance willing to testify. Yes, it is only rock and roll, but everyone likes it!