5
Stars *****
The Rolling Stones started out in an Ealing rhythm and blues
club in 1962, and by the release of their fourth chart topping single
‘Satisfaction’ in 1965, they had become the world’s number one rock
‘n’ roll band, and with just the odd glitch along the way that is where
they have remained for the last forty years. When their fortieth anniversary
loomed, meetings were held to decide how to celebrate this amazing feat. A
greatest hits album was conjured up, aptly titled ‘Forty Licks’, and a
world tour was organized. It was decided to give the tour a twist. As well as
the usual stadium concerts they would squeeze in as many arena and theatre
concerts. The idea was such a success - and the boys were enjoying themselves
so much - that the tour kept on getting extended and extended. The Stones
packed out everywhere they played, appearing before 500,000 people at a
festival in Toronto, and as little as 3,500 at the London Astoria.
In New York and London they did all three sorts of concerts,
giving their fans the opportunity to see the band in whatever environment they
chose. Each set list was tailored to fit the size of concert and which country
they were in.
This 4 DVD box set showcases the ambitious concept of the
‘Licks 2002/2003 World Tour’. Three dramatically different shows on three
different stages, with three different productions, and three different set
lists. Only three songs make it onto each set list with ‘Jumpin’ Jack
Flash’ bringing the set to a rousing climax every night. ‘Brown Sugar’
and ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ making it every night. Of the three DVD’s devoted
to each separate concert you get the excitement of an arena concert at New
York’s legendary Madison Square Garden; the giant spectacle of London’s
Twickenham Stadium; and the intimacy of the historic Olympia Theatre in Paris.
In all over fifty songs spread over the four DVD’s, over nine hours of the
Rolling Stones. Not once does the entertainment level drop below eleven.
The first DVD is a collection of enlightening documentaries
about the tour, plus a selection of bonus tracks that did not make it onto the
set lists of the following concerts. Each concert has special guest appearances
and features such as backstage passes, commentaries from the band themselves,
and select-a-Stone feature where you can be your own director and follow the
progress of your favorite Stone for several songs.
The Stones are in amazing form, and have way too much energy
than is right for people coming to the end of their sixth decade.
The dapper Charlie Watts is precision itself throughout,
plus he is hilarious during the documentaries.
Ron Wood plays some blistering solos, always being the
perfect foil to the other guitarist. Ron Wood has been a Rolling Stone for
thirty years now, but is still considered to be the new boy. Maybe because more
than 90% of the songs played at these concerts were originally written and
recorded before Ron Wood joined the band.
Sir Mick Jagger is a mass of endless energy and is still the
best front man in rock ‘n’ roll. During the first DVD you get the
impression that Mick Jagger still thinks of himself as leader of the band, but
clearly there are two others who indulge him, but still pull their own strings.
Star of the show is Keef Richards, the original rock ‘n’
roll riff master, spraying Chuck Berry riffs from his guitar on the rockers,
taking ‘Satisfaction’ on different journeys when the mood takes him, and
playing the blues as only he can. Keith Richards’ solo spots each night not
only give the show an added depth, but are always a highlight.
There are too many other musical highlights to mention in
one review (well, possibly the truly amazing version of ‘Midnight Rambler’,
as the band and audience seemed to enjoy this particular number so much, it is
hard to fathom why the song is not played every night). I will finish by
listing down what you get for your money.
No, I cannot forgive them either for not turning up in
Bangkok, but do not cut off your nose to spite your face; this is a very fine
collection. Take the money you got on your refunded ticket and spend it on
‘Forty Flicks’.
The Rolling Stone
Keith Richards - Guitar and Vocals
Mick Jagger - Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar
Charlie Watts - Drums
Ronnie Wood - Guitar
Auxiliary Stones
Daryl Jones - Bass
Chuck Leavell - Keyboards
Bobby Keyes - Saxophone
Bernard Fowler - Vocals
Lisa Fisher - Vocals
Blondie – Vocals and the very rock ‘n’ roll acoustic guitar on Honky Tonk
Woman.
Guest appearances - Sheryl Crow, Solomon Burke, Angus and Malcolm Young of
AC/DC
Songs
Disc 1
Tip of the Tongue Licks Around The World Select-a-Stone, Bonus Tracks,
Beast Of Burden, You Don’t Have To Mean It, Rock Me Baby, Bitch, I Can’t
Turn You Loose, Extreme Western Grip, Well Well
Disc 2
Select-a-Stone Band Commentary Bonus Features, New York City, Madison
Square Garden, Intro (incl. Miss You – Dr. Dre Remix 2002), Street Fighting
Man, If You Can’t Rock Me, Don’t Stop, Monkey Man, Angie, Let It Bleed,
Midnight Rambler, Thru and Thru, Happy, You Got Me Rocking, Can’t You Hear Me
Knocking, Honky Tonk Women, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, It’s Only Rock
‘n’ Roll, When The Whip Comes Down, Brown Sugar, Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Disc 3
Band Commentary Backstage Pass Bonus Features
London, Twickenham Stadium, Brown Sugar, You Got Me Rocking, Rocks Off, Wild
Horses, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Paint, It Black, Tumbling Dice,
Slipping Away, Sympathy For The Devil, Star Star, I Just Want To Make Love To
You, Street Fighting Man, Gimme Shelter, Honky Tonk Women (I Can’t Get No)
Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Disc 4
Select-a-Stone Band Commentary Backstage Pass Bonus Features
Paris, Olympia Theatre, Start Me Up, Live With Me, Neighbours, Hand Of Fate, No
Expectations, Worried About You, Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker), Stray Cat
Blues, Dance (Pt. 1), Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, That’s How Strong My
Love Is, Going To A Go-Go, The Nearness of You, Before They Make Me Run, Love
Train, Respectable, Honky Tonk Women, Brown Sugar, Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Another
new hardcover book on the Bookazine shelves this week, this time from a Thai
author, Rattawut Lapcharoensap. Sightseeing (ISBN 1-84354-371-0, Atlantic Books
in the UK, 2005) is a collection of previously published pieces, and after
reading this book, the collection was not before time.