Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Stones Live, April 26, 2008
The Rolling Stones seem to have recorded a score of live albums over time, some of which are terrific to listen to (think "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out" or the intriguing "Four Flicks") and others of which are merely adequate. This, the sound track from Martin Scorsese's concert film, "Shine a Light," is in the former category. It is hard to believe that the Stones are in their 60s. This CD shows them with great energy, although time's effects are apparent as, for instance, in hearing how limited Mick Jagger's vocal range has become. Nonetheless, this is a great amount of fun to listen to! 22 cuts (some not in the documentary, but added later on).
It begins with one of the great rock and roll riffs of all time, in "Jumping Jack Flash." And then it hits you--this song was a hit 40 years ago. How can guys as old as the Stones are still make this work? A great start to the CD. "Shattered" follows quickly. Again, the thought. This is a 30 year old song--and still performed with gusto and spirit.
On the first CD is a little treasure. Buddy Guy, legendary bluesman, joins the band in a Muddy Waters' song, "Champagne and Reefer." The first couple lines give one a sense of the song:
"Bring me champagne when I'm thirsty,
Bring me reefer when I want to get high."
Guy adds his great blues voice and some smoking guitar work. Jagger and Guy alternate singing the lines, and Guy's blues singing is a wonder to listen to. When all the guitars are playing, one almost gets a sense of a wall of sound from those guitars--with Charlie Watts' steady drumming providing a rock solid rhythm foundation.
The second CD provides some more rich music. This side begins with the creepy "Sympathy for the Devil," again well played and sung. A couple songs later, "Start Me Up." Another wall of guitar sound from Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards, underlain by the rhythm section, Watts and Darryl Jones. Watts' drumming is primal and creates a powerful base for vocals and guitars. The chunky guitar work of Wood and Richards is compelling. Then, "Brown Sugar." This was a hit well over 30 years ago, but it still has life as played by the band and its "friends," such as Bobby Keys. The audience sing along toward the end provides a sense of spontaneity. A classic Rolling Stones' moment. Then, the third in the trio of songs in this section of the concert--"Satisfaction." As soon as one hears the fuzz tone, the toes start tapping. Jagger's voice is not as agile as it used to be, but he nonetheless puts some life into this over 40 year old song.
Some rarities show up in this concert, songs not often played by the Stones on their tours over the past couple decades, such as "Shine a Light," "You Got the Silver," and "Loving Cup." And one song worth mentioning, since it is another golden oldie--"I'm Free." This goes back to the early days of the Rolling Stones (originally released in 1965). A terrific blues rock song.
"I'm free to sing my song,
Even though it's out of time."
Anyhow, one of their finest live recordings. Age has had some impact. Jagger's voice isn't as agile as it used to be. But, nonetheless, this works and works well as a concert CD.
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35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Just Another Live Rolling Stones Album, April 1, 2008
When I first heard that The Rolling Stones were releasing a double live set on CD, I thought "here they go again with yet another live album." In the '90s they actually released more live albums than studio albums. Fans already owning the Four Flicks DVD set didn't need the Live Licks collection for sure. But being the Stones fanatic I am, I went out and bought it anyway. It opens with 'Jumpin' Jack Flash,' a typical concert opener. But then along comes 'She Was Hot,' the first surprise of Shine of Light. It's from the harshly criticized Undercover. This one is filled with concert rarities-'Loving Cup,' 'As Tears Go By,' 'Some Girls,' 'You Got the Silver,' 'Connection,' 'I'm Free,' and 'Shine a Light.' This is the best live Rolling Stones album since Get Your Ya-Yas Out.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still The Greatest Rock n' Roll Band In The World, April 1, 2008
Well, after an uncertain start to their Fall 2006 leg of the 'A Bigger Bang Tour', the band started to come together. Keith seemed to shake off the lingering effects of his 'coconut tree fall' earlier in the year. Woodie stayed sober and Mick and Charlie beat off colds. By the time they hit the Beacon for the Scorcese movie, they were ready to play at the top of their game. And that's what the listener gets here--the Rolling Stones playing damn near as well as ever. The song list, even if suggested by the movie, is fantastic and even the so-called 'warhorses' sound sweet with the superb sound and mix. The audio here is the best of all their (too?) many live albums. Of particular note--the guitars are cranked and gnarly in the mix. Mick's vocals are unusually well enunciated in spots and properly slurred in unexpected others and his ad libs are nice. Even Keith's vocals are spot on with his three (nice picks) tunes. Not a document of superb musicianship (although Watts is excellent throughout), but a high-energy, loose band of veteran rockers peaking past predictions!
Highlight--'Champagne And Reefer' with Buddy Guy joining in...smokin'!!
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by The Rolling Stones 
