A can't-miss show you can easily not miss
Added 3/11/2010
I do love me some Stones, but I admit I didn't see this in the theatres, nor was I entirely certain what it was about. I knew it was Scorsese and that there would be plenty of concert footage, but that's true of the Last Waltz too, and that was much more than a concert film. "Shine a Light" is the gem that answers the question, "How much would I like to have the best seat in the house at a Stones club concert?" The boys may have been a lot more relevant when they made "Gimme Shelter," but you simply can't deny the quality of concert filming possible these days, with advanced audio recording, multi-cameras on tracks, digital film editing, 5.1 sound... getting copies of these even at full retail is just a ridiculous steal for the experience.
Plenty of other reviewers talk about the performances, which are fantastic, and prove that unlike athletes, musicians never really get too old to do their thing. This film illustrates better than ever how hard Mick Jagger works when he gives a concert. That man is relentless.
But I want to move on to technical comments. The sound is very interesting and beguiling. The first thing you notice is that the overall blend sounds great. The second is that it is the most pro-Keith live audio I've ever heard. He clearly has his own channel in the master tapes, and you can clearly hear everything he plays and sings. Thanks to the wonders of home theatre these days, you can also always get a clean read on the bassline. But every other instrument seems subject to whether or not Scorsese wants you to hear it. It's like outside of Mick and Keith he's constantly moving around the volume to the featured notes and then mixing them back down. You can't hear Ronnie Wood half the time. And the person who gets the worst treatment is Charlie Watts, who you can barely hear the whole time, and what you can hear is not miked well. Overall, I like it better than most Stones audio, but it has its oddities.
Visually, I don't know how he does it, but Scorsese's concert film technique is fantastic. He's got the same look as the Last Waltz again... sharp light that manages to never be harsh, spotlights through the smoke creating art in the air. The film editing is amazing, flipping from one angle to the next on the same person but perfectly synced and not jarring. It's better than a front-row seat... it's a constantly moving best seat in the house.
Great stuff. No wonder people rave.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Shine A Light
Added 1/11/2010
This movie, Directed by Martin Scorcese, showcases the magic, the emotion, the longevity and the love of the Rolling Stones. Never before has a film captured Mick's subtle vibrato and Keith's flawless guitar. As Charlie Watts holds steady Ronnie and Keith play as one, fusing their talents to create a wall of music that can only be described as angelic.
There is the Godfather of Soul, The King, The King of Pop, The Father of Rock and Roll but the Rolling Stones are the epitome of Rock....the true Gods of Rock and Roll.
Their love for each other comes through in this special movie. Don't rent it....just buy it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
I would say that Jagger and Watts worked there butts off at this show,but all Wood and Richards want to do is flirt with the young ladies up front of the [...] on guys, it was so juvenile. The Bass Player is treated as a non-person throughout the concert which I didn't like either.Oh yeh, and Buddy guy's number is terrible. The band misses the chord changes several times. Buddy should not have allowed the performance to be seen by anybody.If you are a fan, or can get it cheap, I'd buy it though.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A 36 year old's view.
Added 10/31/2009
I have seen the Rolling Stones in concert. This was a different view that was involved with the concert. A kind of behind the scenes. If you like the Rolling Stones then it is worth it. Not sure if I would spring for the Blue Ray version. Unless, of course, you REALLY like the Rolling Stones.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Excellent!
Added 10/22/2009
Shine A Light was in excellent condition and works perfectly. It definitely satisfies a Rolling Stones addict! Thank you so much!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
