The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (1996)

"The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" strikes me as Woodstock's precursor: a collection of bands get together and play their hearts out. This is the only time that I know of that John Lennon performed with the Stones (although he didn't share the stage with all of them).One of the significances of this event is that it was one of Brian Jones's final public appearances. He drowned in his swimming pool the following year, making him one of the members of the 27 Club*.All in all, it's a great time. I often feel disappointed that I didn't come of age in the '60s. Even so, the music lives forever, and the Stones have stayed together long after most of the other groups broke up. Great documentary.*This term refers to singers who died at the age of 27. Others include Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.

I can't totally understand why the Rolling Stones were embarrassed by their performance here in their TV special Rock & Roll Circus. Sure, everything else you've heard about the Who outshining them is not far from the truth (it's definitely one of the Who's finest hours with Keith Moon). But they're no slackers here either (sans Brian Jones, who was on the decline and except for No Exceptions does nothing significant here with the band), and hearing them perform Jumpin Jack Flash and Parachutte Woman- the latter a fantastic blues tune from Beggars Banquet- is a fine delight from late 60s rock & roll. They also make sure to end the special on two high notes: Sympathy for the Devil makes for a powerful punch of music that rocks the socks off everyone in attendance and without Jagger's preening to the camera (only to the camera is it annoying, everything else is a given with him), it's one of the very best performances of that song, and there's a fine little ending with Salt of the Earth. It's nothing to be ashamed of on their end.Then again, the acts that surround them both outshine and lack the punch of their performances, so maybe at the time of their heights (and the sentimental factor of Brian Jones's departure and death from the band soon after) contributed to the decision to keep it from the public. As mentioned, the Who are in the great 'maximum R&B' tradition with A Quick One (While He's Away), which has as thunderous momentum matched with a wicked sense of humor. Other notable acts are Jethro Tull (featuring a slightly dazed Tony Iommi on guitar), Taj Mahal (a musician I never heard before but was blown away by), and a one-night-only type of grouping with Lennon, Clapton, Richards and Mitch Mitchell doing Yer Blues, which actually comes very close to topping the Who's performance- it's that awesome a rendition of the song. The low-points, however, are like thorns on the side of the show, which are Marianne Faithful, who though very pretty sings like a pretty little goat, and the 2nd song by the Lennon group features one plus (violin) and one heavy minus (Yoko Ono's singing, which is like nails on a chalkboard). There's also the creepy sense that the audience looks like it's awaiting the 2nd coming, so to speak.But it's always a lot of fun, the circus acts look cool in a kitsch kind of way, and there's a truly lively spirit going through all the performances. It's far from perfect, but it's a lot better than I expected, and will have a good place in my collection.

Filmed live in 1968 as an intended television special but kept from the public eye due to the Rolling Stones' own dissatisfaction with their performance over a span of two nights, "Rock N' Roll Circus" showcases the Stones at the height of their game. Although I admit they have performed better in terms of musical companionship and melody, there is no denying the amount of energy they exude here.The standout for me is the reggae-infused "Sympathy for the Devil" which sounds like the drunken plea of society's virus. The original came across as a taunt, and this rendition of the song is helpless and a desperate outcry - in a good way, of course.Mick Jagger's vocals have been better and his voice is a bit off - I guess the guys were totally wasted and stoned out of their minds around this time. But watching them on stage, it's hard to deny they were one of the great rock n' roll bands. They're really not given enough credit for their fusion of blues and mainstream rock - at the time of their emergence, a lot of critics compared them to The Beatles - a comparison both understandable and equally unfair. They did write a few Britpop songs early on, but they always had a bluesy edge that the Beatles - despite their superiority in musical influence and range - never had.If you're into the Stones, this is a must-see. If you're *really* into the Stones, it's probably a must-own. And if you aren't into the Stones at all, I'd recommend starting off with their double-album Forty Licks (a Greatest Hits compilation).

A great movie- featuring Jethro Tull (with Tony Iommi, later of Black Sabbath), The Who (who blow the roof off), Taj Mahal (with Jesse Ed Davis, guitar giant), Marianne Faithfull (who sings beautifully), The Dirty Mac, featuring John Lennon (vocal/rhythm guitar), Eric Clapton (lead guitar), Keith Richard(s) (bass), and Jimi Hendrix's drummer Mitch Mitchell. (Joined in their second number by Yoko Ono on vocals and Ivry Gitlis on violin.) Finally, the Stones. A great performance, the last featuring the band's founder, Brian Jones, who is, unfortunately, the only downer. He would die the next July, you can tell he was in the downward spiral.