Pawed
by Mott the Dog
Licked by Ella Crew
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 Stones
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.
Mott’s CD review: The Rolling Stones - Four Flicks (DVD)