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The Rolling Stones are one of the greatest rock and
roll bands that ever existed. There...I've always said it,
I continue to say it, and I'll keep saying it 'til my dying
day. Now, let me say a little something about Martin Scorsese...he
is one of the best film directors ever in the history of
the medium. Just rinse and repeat to what I've previously
said about the Stones. ***
The beginning of this fantastic concert movie shows
the band rehearsing a bit, while not giving an extremely
nervous Scorsese a set list for him to plan any kind of
camera and live edits until the opening chords of "Jumping
Jack Flash" sets the show ablaze. Ahhh...Mick. You're still
a wicked after all these years taunting the poor director
with the uncertainty. The thing is that you know he can't
fail to make a great concert film because he is Martin "The
Last Waltz" Scorsese and he has such fascinating subjects
to work with. ***
After 40+ years of writing brilliant music and performing
it all over the world, the British lads..err..elder statesmen,
have still got IT. And much more of IT than just about any
living musicians you can name. Mick Jagger still moves and
shakes his hips like nobody's business...still inducing
naughty thoughts into women and men of many different generations.
Keith Richards still radiates the don't-f#*k-with-me- because-I-AM-rock-n-roll
swagger. Charlie Watts still keeps the jungle rhythms while
looking stone-faced, but is still obviously quietly amused
by his more flamboyant bandmates. Ronnie Wood, energizes
with wit and his expert musicianship. Richards and Wood
have this incredible mystical weave created by the back-and-forth
between their guitars. This is discussed in one of the scattered
interview clips that Scorsese adds to the concert footage.
***
The set list is sure to please die-hard Stones fans
like myself with a few obscure choices like "You Got the
Silver," "Connection," and "Far Away Eyes," while still
keeping the audience happy with "Sympathy For the Devil,"
"Brown Sugar," and "Start Me Up." I was jumping in my seat
when they played "Some Girls," but was a little disappointed
when they self-edited by leaving out a couple of the more
provocative lyrics. Jack White of the White Stripes added
delicious flavor to the "Exile on Main Street" song, "Loving
Cup." Buddy Guy got down and dirty with the pure blues number,
"Champagne and Reefer." Christina Aguilera kind of ruined
a song I love, "Live With Me," because during her duet with
Mick, she added her signature vocal gymnastics. It just
didn't work for me, but I think it worked for Mick who found
it absolutely lascivious by the expression on his face.
After the second viewing, it did grow on me slightly, but
I still wish it was either someone else doing it on that
song or just the Stones. ***
Scorsese does for us in "Shine A Light" what no concert
ticket purchased at top price on ebay can possible do for
any fans. He puts the viewer of this film onstage with the
Rolling Stones! You feel a sense of intimacy by witnessing
every sway, every glance they gave to one another, every
bar chord, every drop of sweat, every facial crevice, in
a very up-close-and-personal way. To fans of rock and roll,
whether the Stones are one of your favorite bands or not,
this gift from Scorsese is truly a beautiful thing. ---
Image & Sound:
How can you complain when you get some of the best
music ever made in 5.1 digital surround sound? ---
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