shine a light on me
All week long I’ve been hearing and reading rave reviews for the new Martin Scorsese/Rolling Stones movie, Shine a Light. I have to admit I’ve never been much of a Stones fan, though I certainly appreciate what they have done. And if you prorated my career income by removing all the Stones songs I’ve played, well, it would be a significant hit.
As it happens, the cover band I play with on weekends just the other day worked up “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” By “worked up” I mean we figured out an ending, otherwise we wouldn’t have had to even play through the song once. Everyone has heard that song so many times it’s, like, inscribed in your DNA. We listened to a live version to hear how they ended it, and everything sounded wretched. I had all sorts of snide things to say about their live sound (ha! now I remember I went to see them in 1981 because I wasn’t sure how much longer they’d be playing).
And then, a little while ago, I saw this YouTube video from the movie. And maybe, maybe even for the first time ever, I get it.
Comments
I remember seeing them in '78 for the same reason (the best part of that concert was Peter Tosh as the 'warm up' act, which the audience called for vocally again after the Stones took the stage I might add), then again the next three times. As always, Jagger's vocals sucked and I couldn't stop thinking Ron Wood had been robbed of a much more credible Rock and Roll career when the Faces split up.
Posted by: Chris | April 7, 2008 01:30 AM
Just now getting it?
Woof. Eat more Wheaties or something!
My wife wants Keith. STILL.
She gets it. Well... sometimes....
Guido
Posted by: Guido | April 7, 2008 07:05 AM
Chris--You got to see Peter Tosh? Wow!
Guido--I know, I know. I got it intellectually, but that video really puts your head in between Keith's and Ron's guitar amps, and I think that's what finally delivered the visceral punch.
Better late than never, eh?
Posted by: pat | April 7, 2008 09:55 AM
I clicked the link to see what you are talking about, and it says it's a private video. Ah well.
As for the Rolling Stones, I tend to like their 60s stuff best. As a current band they've never interested me. Although "Start Me Up" was (and is) pretty good. But not up there with "Ruby Tuesday".
Posted by: Ellen K. | April 10, 2008 05:37 PM
Yeah, the video wasn't there for me either.
Like you, I had never been a big Stones fan ... until I saw them live in 1975. Then I got it.
Their show at Atlanta's Fox Theatre in 1981 on the night of Charlie Watts' birthday is, head and shoulders, the best rock concert I've ever seen. And in the 70's and 80's, there were few bands I didn't see.
Posted by: Reid | April 10, 2008 08:19 PM
Yeah, I don't see the video any more either, guys. Don't know what's going on there. Maybe it was being accessed too many times, or wasn't supposed to be public, or who knows?
Posted by: pat | April 10, 2008 09:43 PM