Day #16 Ladies and Gentlemen

I am a big Stones fan.  I have came to the Rolling Stones kind of late in life and I am making up for lost time.  In 2008 Martin Scorsese directed a "Best of" Stones concert doc called "Shine a Light".  The music was there, but I have to say that my boy Marty kind of just let the camera roll.  He didn't really do anything extra like he had for "The Last Waltz".  I suspose that would be ok for new material, but when you are putting up time honored classics like Jumping Jack Flash and Sympathy for the Devil, I expected more.  Particually from a master film maker who has used Stones music in several films and used them perfectly to help express a mood or feeling.

Ladies and Gentlemen was originally shot while the Stones were touring in 1972 for their new album (what would become their most critically successful album) Exile on Main Street.  The movie is a collection of performances from 4 stops on the road, but it plays like one show with multiple costume changes. This was the first time they had toured in the United States after the debacle at Altamont. 

I won't break down the entire set list.  Many favorites were there along with a few B sides that the Stones always pay tribute to.  Unlike Shine a Light, there were no flashy cameos or other artists coming on stage to pay homage to them.  Hell, the Stones didn't even have backup singers on this tour.

The movie was shot on 16mm.  The stages are poorly lit and the whole look is a dark, gritty composition that reflects the music.  It has been digitally remastered and it sounded great.  This movie is everything great and everything terrible about the early 70's.  Keith Richards is sporting a mulletesque hairstyle and is oviously strung out.  Jagger has sequins stuck to the side of his face in a just-prior-to-glam-rock look.  His pants are tight in all the wrong place and it looks like Bowie's wardrobe guy tagged along just for fun.

But make no mistake about it, this doc rocks!  The music is magical.  It is a freight train of blues and rock.  Jagger is as energetic as ever (even if fueled by narcotics).  This doc isn't flashy, but it doesn't need to be.  It reflects the music it is showcasing.

This film played in about 550 theaters on a One Night Only type event showing.  I ordered my tickets a week in advance so I would be sure to get in.  I was the only one in my theater.  I was able to sing out loud and even get up and dance during Sweet Virgina.  Ladies and Gentlemen is slated for a DVD release later this year.  Can you say Christmas present?  I give this movie a 3.5/5 stars.  Check out the link below to see a trailer on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiaIx7IuIYQ