- Label
- Interscope
- Release date
- 7th April 2008
- Genre
- Rock'n'roll
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Soundtrack to Scorsese rockumentary proves to be a sensitive depiction of the world's greatest rock band, live
This two-CD set acts as the soundtrack for the long-awaited Martin Scorsese film about The Rolling Stones, taking place in the middle of one of the band's massive, all-troops-mobilized, round-the-world jaunts. Given that the ticket-buying public demand the biggest songs from the band's oeuvre, and given also Scorsese's position as a Stones acolyte, you'd expect this hefty collection to include both the crowd-pleasers and the less-well-known gems from the back catalogue.
The first disc sets the scene well, with the band getting into the swing of things slowly - by the time they launch into All Down The Line, they're as tight as ever and give little away to suggest that this is a one-take recording in front of a crowd of thousands. A raucous Some Girls and tight Connection stand out, although from time to time you're dipped, as a home listener, a little too deeply in a sense that you had to be there - bum notes and extravagant musical flourishes are far less forgiving on a recording.
By the second half of the album, the band have found their groove; Charlie Watts in particular holds the songs - a near-perfect Sympathy For The Devil, Start Me Up, Satisfaction, a curiously rushed Paint It Black - together, regardless of Richards' and Wood's fret-hammering flourishes. Mick Jagger is in mostly fine voice, although when compared to Christina Aguilera's slightly baffling and utterly ballsy guest appearance on Live With Me, he's shown up a touch (Jack White also guests on Loving Cup). Still, as a live recording, Shine A Light is a success - proving that the band are still near the top of their game.
More to try: Rolling Stones: Live Licks Pink Floyd: Ummagumma
