DVD Review: Rolling Stones - Shine a Light (2008)

I deliberately waited a while before reviewing this DVD. Experiencing the Stone's performing live during their Bigger Bang tour and once again when Shine a Light ran at IMAX, compelled me to allow some months to pass. No matter how good the DVD was, it would be difficult to compare a TV screen viewing against vivid memories of seeing the Stones live or performing on a 72 ft ( 22 meters) wide x 53 ft ( 16.1 meters) high screen with state of the art sound.

But enough time has passed that I can now focus on what's there rather than on what's missing.

The film takes its name from the track Shine a Light found on the Stones critically acclaimed 1972 album Exile on Main St and it poses the question, "What happens when you "shine a light" on the World's Greatest Rock N' Roll Band, an Oscar Award Winning Director, an ex US President and his entourage if you put them all together in a small theater?" Answer? A pretty darn good time!

In truth, there was never really a lot of concern that the DVD might not be up to snuff. There was way too much talent involved with this film for that to ever happen.

Martin Scorsese honed his craft on such excellent films as Bob Dylan's No Direction Home and the Band's The Last Waltz.

The Stones own the most envied back catalogue in the business, continue to break box office records with their world tours, and have the ability to adapt their live show to fit any venue - from the largest stadium to the smallest nightclub. The band constantly rescale their shows and it's what helps keep the tours fresh and interesting - different kinds of venues, different set lists and different audiences.

The film opens with a behind the scenes peek at Scorsese, his crew and the Stones attempting to work through the logistics of filming the band during their 2006 Beacon Theatre fundraiser appearance in New York. The Stones have always had a bad boy image and a reputation for being uncooperative. Martin chooses to exploit this angle with tongue firmly planted in cheek as we follow the frustrated director in his attempt to get straight answers from the band about their stage setting and their set list for the upcoming Beacon Theatre performance.

As the concert date draws nears, and no song selection arrives, the harried director madly puts together various potential set lists and stage directions for 1) "songs that I've prepared that (Mick) said he really wanted to do 2) "...songs that are really strong possibilities" and 3) songs that apparently they're going to rehearse."

As might be expected, Mick does not get around to drawing up a set list until an hour before the show, leaving Martin to stew in his juices. All attempts at imposing any kind of precision on the bad boys of rock n' roll by the celebrated director are met with total frustration.

The situation is further aggravated by the band members "helpful" suggestions such as Keith's advising Marty he should get a camera pointed inside the bass drum to capture drummer Charlie Watt's kick. Hilarious!

Mere minutes before curtain, poor Martin still hasn't got a set list and we see him frantically guessing at which songs might be used as the opening number so he can cue the proper lights and cameras. To turn the thumbscrews on Marty even further, we see ex-President Clinton and his entourage filing into the theatre for a quick meet and greet with the band before the show. No pressure!

The emcee introduces the band, Martin finally gets handed the set list, and has just enough time to say, "ok...the first song is....." as Keith slams into the opening guitar riff of... Can you guess?

Are the Stones attempting a Spinal Tap-ish rockumentary knock off? Uh uh....this was simply a clever and amusing way of getting the World's Greatest Rock N' Roll band to the point of doing what they do best. From here on in, except for inserting some archival footage from the band's early days, Scorsese wisely chooses to fade into the background and allows the spotlight to shine on the Stone's performance.

The set list features some rarely played gems such as the Exile on Main St. tracks All Down the Line, and Lovin' Cup, the latter performed with Jack White of the White Stripes. The Stones also dust off the first song Mick and Keith ever composed together - the haunting Marianne Faithfull hit, As Tears Go By andKeith sings lead on the 1967 Between the Buttons chestnut called Connection..

Other highlights include Buddy Guy performing the Muddy Waters classic Champagne and Reefer as well as Christina Aguilera getting sassy on the Stone's Live with Me from their 1969 Let It Bleed album.

It's truly a treat to see the Stones perform in a small club environment, to enjoy that up close and personal look at the band. But few will ever have the pleasure. Shine a Light is about as close as most of us will get.

1. Jumpin' Jack Flash
2. Shattered
3. She Was Hot
4. All Down the Line
5. Loving Cup
6. As Tears Go By
7. Some Girls
8. Just My Imagination
9. Far Away Eyes
10. Champagne & Reefer
11. Tumbling Dice
12. Band introductions
13. You Got the Silver
14. Connection
15. Sympathy for the Devil
16. Live with Me
17. Start Me Up
18. Brown Sugar
19. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
20. Shine a Light