Customer Reviews

Rolling Stones - The Stones in the Park

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

July 5, 1969 is one of the most historic days in rock and roll. The Stones concert in London's Hyde Park would pay homage to the late Brian Jones and usher in the new and extraordinary era of Mick Taylor (1969-74).

For those that have looked to fault every possible second of the event and judge the release on only the musical portion and not include "The Event" it is only right equal time is given to counter the unneccesary critisism the gig received.

The typical complaint about any music DVD not recorded with a 34 billion dollar budget to the sound snob is the fidelity doesn't meet the quality standard. In 1969 you were not dealing with digital technology and preserving the moment is worth more stars than how the mix is.

It has been discussed that newcomer Mick Taylor looks nervous. That is earth shattering news. He had less than 48 hours notice the permits were in place and they could perform. If your first show was in front of over 100,000 people and your bandmates lost somebody that they had often spent more time with than their own families, if there weren't butterflies he wouldn't have a heart or soul.

Keith's guitar is out of tune during "Satisfaction." There is a first. No musician has ever had this before. It is amazing that any of the Stones could get through the day knowing Brian's departure is now in a permanent sense.

The band isn't inspired. Then why did they play the longest version of "Sympathy For The Devil" (19:00) ever performed? If you look at the complete list of songs regardless if they are included or not, they could have easily made the show a hit factory. There are a myriad of tunes that only a hardcore Stones aficionado would be able to name correctly.

The only knock that is justifable (Surprisingly it is the one thing the Skeptic's hadn't been thrilled to inform every Amazon review reader) the playing time of the DVD does not encompass the entire set. I have listed the songs and next to the ones that aren't found on the DVD will be the letters NF (Not Found).

To Brian Jones thank you for your incredible contribution to the Stones and to Mick Taylor there wasn't a better man for the job.

1 EULOGY FOR BRIAN 2:42
2 I'M YOURS SHE'S MINE 2:12
3 JUMPING JACK FLASH 3:10
4 NO EXPECTATIONS 3:42 NF
5 MERCY, MERCY 3:13 NF
6 STRAY CAT BLUES 3:43 NF
7 I'M FREE 2:25 NF
8 DOWN HOME GIRL 5:22 NF
9 LOVE IN VAIN 4:39
10 LOVING CUP 5:38 NF
11 MIDNIGHT RAMBLER 8:09
12 SATISFACTION 4:24
13 HONKY TONK WOMEN 3:40
14 STREET FIGHTING MAN 3:42 NF
15 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL 19:01

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

I received my copy of the Stones in the Park Friday night and it was great. I played it four times in a row and I was delighted by both the picture quality and the audio. My copy is Korean( I am Told ) and Iv'e been waiting 40 years for this one. The Stones are out of tune on "Satisfaction" and I didn't mind a bit, especially, after two or six Highballs.

For historical purposes this film rates as a classic. Typical of a late 60s rock show, though, we have Keith's guitar terribly out of tunes at times; especially on "Satisfaction." These documents stand as more than just a record of a concert, they give us a small glimpse back at the culture of the late 60s. Very nice dress Mick!

Having seen the Stones on their 1972 tour, I believe I have seen them at close if not the height of their performing career. Anything the Stones did live from 1969-1972 is of interest. So when I saw the availability of this concert I was immediately intrigued, especially that it was Mick Taylor's first concert with the band two days after Brian Jones' death. If you are looking for Gimme Shelter or Woodstock caliber recording - don't waste your money on this item. The editing is often frustrating - like watching faces in the crowd, tree branches or Mick Jagger dancing around the stage when Mick Taylor is throwing down some great slide guitar on Love In Vain. There's plenty of creative zoom lens crap and other frustrations. And yes, there are horribly out of tune guitars on Satisfaction. Despite all of the drawbacks, there is plenty to like. The seven plus minute rendition of Sympathy For The Devil has a great energy and shows the band transforming before your eyes into the great live act they became a year later. This show offers plenty of raw energy and authentic rock and roll, even though sometimes it's a little loose around the edges. There's not a lot of film footage of the Stones from the 1969-1972 era. This one is well worth the price of admission and will please any true Stones fan.

I was also very disappointed in this video. I wanted to see the Stones play but what I got to see was 250,000 skinny,ugly english hippies.You see members of the audenice wearing swastikas I think I saw Hitler sitting in the crowd. I love anything with the Stones and I will add this to my collection but who ever edited this should be kicked sguare in the nuts!

Here it is, on DVD: The legendary Stones concert at Hyde Park, 1969. Only days after original member Brian Jones was found dead in his swimming pool. This was supposed to introduce Mick Taylor to the world but instead became a tribute to Jones. I had actually found this concert on video many, many years before and it was awful then. Truth be told, the concert itself is awful. And I love the Stones! It's incredible that only a few short months later, they began their '69 US tour and were fantastic. It's fun to watch this and realize that this was 40yrs ago. If you're a Stones fan, you simply have to have this DVD, for your collection. You may watch it only once, but you've got to have it!

What a revelation and a disappointment at the same time.

Revelation: Mick Taylor slide guitar featured on Midnight Rambler.

By Sept 1969, the best known and well loved version of "Midnight Rambler" no longer features that superb slide guitar presence. Sadly the whole first half is missing on this DVD. Also, the jacket lists 8 songs, but there was actually only five on the movie.

Music movie editors in 1969 had no idea, hence the tright and pathetic interviews and lead in commentary. Including some over the top of the music. It is just as annoying as motor racing videos made at the same time, on which the editor drowns out the sounds of the cars with a crappy music sound track and dinky false racing commentary. Just record the concert and play it complete, please.

I was alive in the 60s. I know what it was like, I don't need to see all the side play in this movie.

This was bought out by Time/Life. My advice is PLEASE go back and find the original film, and re-release just the concert without all the auxiluary nonsense so that we can enjoy the whole concert!

A must view show for any stones fans. It is the free show the Stones put on about 2 days after the death of the bands founder Brian Jones. With 500k people scattered about the park the Stones debuted new guitarist Mick Taylor. The sound isn't great, Mixing is rather poor, and it is clear Mick Taylor has yet to completely gel with the band. But the band play an excellent mix of songs including great versions of Sympathy for the Devil and Midnight Rambler. The ramp of Satisfaction with and even play Loving Cup and Honky Tonk Women two songs that would not be released for another 2 years... Again not the greatest quality DVD but in terms of capturing a moment in time it is a must have.