While most kids grew up with Sesame Street and Gumby, I was raised by the likes of Mick Jagger, Van Morrison, Keith Moon and Eric Clapton. And while those kids sat in front of a television, I was usually in the lounge strumming AC/DC on a cardboard guitar, while my sister kicked drums behind me.
As with all music buffs, my parents had the most influence on my current musical preferences. And while this cannot explain my fondness for hip-hop, when a friend asked if I preferred the Beatles or Rolling Stones, there was never any doubt – my mum loves the Stones and so do I.
This opinion was set in stone after I hired Shine A Light, Martin Scorsese’s rockumentary that follows the Stones over two shows in New York during their 2006 “A Bigger Bang” tour.
Shine A Light is categorically a concert film, straying from the typical documentary formula and leaving narrative at the door for a good show.
Having used their music in no less than four of his films (the track Gimme Shelter alone features in Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed), Marty portrays the Stones through the eyes of a fan and his genuine excitement and admiration for their music and stage presence transfers to the screen.
Historic footage and interviews document the band’s rise from humble beginnings. The contrast between the baby-faced Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and the drug-worn performers we see today is a true testament to how long these legends have been around.
The pre-concert conversations between Jagger and Scorsese are fascinating, capturing two masters of their respective crafts, each trying to create the ultimate experience.
And when the lights finally flood the stage and Keef swaggers out, strumming Jumpin’ Jack Flash, fans and critics alike will have no doubt that they are in for something big.
Jagger emerges, prancing around the stage as a man in his twenties. His flamboyant gestures and sexual innuendos would be creepy for a man in his mid-sixties, if not for the iconic presence and menacing smirk.
Richards defies belief, and while heavy drug and alcohol abuse have taken their toll on his looks, his ability with a guitar remains in tact. Richards is in it for the music. When he perfects a riff, a cheeky grin extends across his already lined face, which gives you the feeling you’ve just witnessed something special.
At the ripe old age of 61, Ronnie Wood is the band’s youngest member. While easily holding his own on guitar, Wood enjoys entertaining the crowd, working the stage like a seal at the zoo.
Charlie Watts looks completely lost most of the time. It is not until after each song, that he smiles to himself and winks to the camera with a sigh of relief, that you realise that he is just far too into the music to register what’s going on around him.
Special guest Jack White holds his own against Jagger, lending his vocals and guitar to Lovin’ Cup. White is obviously a fan, and it is great to watch him hold back a childish grin as he plays next to his idols.
Christina Aguilara’s incredible vocals on Live With Me make a powerful impression on the crowd and Jagger basically uses the three minutes she is on stage to touch her as much as possible.
The show’s biggest highlight comes from legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy. Their rendition of Muddy Waters’ classic Champagne & Reefer is phenomenal. Richards and Guy bounce off one another as the crowd and the rest of the band’s ensemble watch in awe.
The good thing about reviewing concert films is that instead of providing a plot summary, I can just give you the track listing; so here it is,
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Shattered
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Lovin’ Cup (with Jack White)
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Far Away Eyes
Champagne & Reefer (with Buddy Guy)
Tumbling Dice
You Got the Silver (with Keith on vocals)
Connection (with Keith on vocals, incomplete)
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me (with Christina Aguilera)
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Shine A Light (heard, not seen, during the end credits)
It was disappointing that my favourite track Paint It Black didn’t make the final cut, but rest assure that it features as a bonus on the DVD.
After 46 years, the Rolling Stones have surpassed generations of wannabe rock-stars and talentless boy-bands to become one of the greatest musical acts of all time and ultimately, Scorsese reveals how and why.
For fans of the Stones, Shine A Light is essential viewing. For everyone else… well… I’m not sure why you would hire it, but if you weren’t a fan before, you probably will be.
4/5 stars
ADDITIONAL VIEWING
U.S. Empire posted this great list of the top ten concert movies; you can check it out right here.
Scorsese’s The Last Waltz made number two on the list, and I encourage everyone to check it out. The film follows The Band’s 1976 farewell concert and features guest performances from the likes of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood and Neil Young.
i’ve never been a huge Rolling Stones fan, but i’m putting this on the must see list. Cheers Chris.
I must say….
…I’m in exactly the same boat! When I was a kid and first confronted by the Beatles/Stones decision, I went for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In growing up a little, I inherited my mum’s Beatles love, along with her contempt for Jagger… I mean, I loves me some Sympathy for the Devil, and obviously Jack Flash and Satisfaction, but in my blinkered film-geek world, Jagger was mostly the guy ruining Ned Kelly. And also the guy dumb enough to be in Freejack.
Anyone remember Freejack? That shit will blow your fucking mind. With its crapness.
Anyways, you’ve made me want to see this – and that’s damn near miraculous. Awesome!
Cheers guys.
Love Sympathy For The Devil!
Think I was a bit too young for Freejack, will definitely check it out though. I love crap films.
Have either of you heard of Performance? It was Mick Jagger’s first acting role.
They had a massive feature about it in the last issue of Empire.
Here is what IMDB had to say about the film;
At a test screening in Santa Monica in March 1970, one Warner executive’s wife vomited with shock in response to the film and paying customers had to be offered their money back.
Most of the audience walked out of the first preview screening. The release was delayed for two years while it was re-edited three times. Editor Frank Mazzola used montage of images and time jumps which later became his trademark style.
The sex scenes between Mick Jagger and Anita Pallenberg upset Jagger’s fellow The Rolling Stones member Keith Richards. Richards, who was Pallenberg’s lover at the time, was reported to have lurked outside the set in a foul mood. Pallenberg had previously been the partner of another Stones member, Brian Jones, who, according to Alex Cox (presenter of BBC2’s Moviedrome), partly inspired the character of Turner.
Keith Richards was so angry about the sex scenes between Mick Jagger and his girlfriend Pallenberg that he refused to play while the Stones recorded “Memo from Turner” for the soundtrack. Ry Cooder filled in, giving the song its signature slide guitar accompaniment.
Apparently it’s pretty hard-core. I’ve been trying to find a copy but haven’t seen one anywhere. Maybe you guys will have more luck. Could be worth a look.
I have to say the DVD looks FANTASTIC. crisp clean picture, perfect sound, a camera in every corner. Most live concerts have 2, maybe 3 cameras hiding around and a bored editor who switches between shots when a solo comes up or one of the band members does something interesting. This is what you get when you get a film director filming a live concert.
I think my father is going to like his Christmas Present this year….
Whenever I hear, ‘It can’t be done,’ I know I’m close to success.
Hi Everybody! I agree totally. BTW It seems like I know alot of you already. That seems weird, but I have been lurking as you call it for a few weeks – now its an addiction LOL! I wake up to check posts and before bed and some in between!