shine a light

martin scorcese tipped the balance here
i have never been any kind of rolling stones fan
his involvement in this film was a temptation
there was also a feeling my judgement had been misguided
maybe this band deserves all the plaudits thrown at it
the film opens with preparations for the show
they have agreed to perform for a charity
2 nights in a small theatre in new york
small in comparison to their usual stadium show
the opening scenes show scorcese and the band at odds
they not wanting to reveal the set list and the director is frustrated
the lads presumably having a reputation to live up to
after all this is rock'n'roll and they are the kings
the hudson theatre itself looks like a great live venue
bill clinton is in attendance as patron of the charity
there's some great footage of him meeting the band
laying on all the charm and personality he naturally has
hard to see new presidential candidate obama doing this
even more bill's vanquished wife who trails him around here
a poignant moment in the film considering the timing
barack today announcing the winning of the democrat primary
bill does the introduction duties and off we go
straight into jumping jack flash as the band take over
mick out front strutting his stuff most convincingly
(fitness factor x age = results off the scale)
keef and ronnie assuming most preferred positions
on stage, guitars strapped on, eyes mostly fixed on the left hand
the lovable charlie watts still looking on bewildered
laying down the beat that defines this outfit
there's another bunch of musicians on stage also
darryl jones on bass going through the motions i suspect
a brass section, keyboards and a trio of backup singers
the sound in the theatre of my choice not the best
but thankful in a way for that as volume was not wanted
i was here for the visuals and not to be pummeled by sound
after 3 songs i'd seen enough i was thinking
confirming my lack of desire to see 'em live
and wondering how much longer this would go on for
but there's some respite as the first guest appears
jack white from the white stripes duets with mick
not long after buddy guy is on stage joining the band
performing a muddy waters number titled champagne and reefer
and in one song explaining and defining the rolling stones
white boys may plunder and revere the blues
but there's nothing better than the real thing
buddy guy has soul and style oozing out of him
keef in particular seemed rather in awe of his company
a non-plussed buddy guy the recipient of keith's guitar
payment for services rendered presumably
one excellent tune and the stones are back to it
grinding out a set of hits and lesser known tunes
an acoustic version of as tears go by quite impressive
sympathy for the devil is cranked out most convincingly
start me up is still the average tune it has always been
the highlight of the night for me is faraway eyes
ronnie playing a lap steel guitar very confidently
mick on vocals proving how versatile the band can be
christine aguilera makes an appearance to duet with mick
she matches it well with him though it seems not quite right
that a 20-something is in sexy poses with a 60-something
and so it all finally gets to the end of the show
one thing i was constantly on the lookout for
was crowd reaction to the presence of greatness
my impression was that this new york crowd was underwhelmed
a few excited individuals seen on camera at different times
but there just did not seem to be a savouring of the moment
which may well be typical in this overspoilt city
but possibly they were there for other reasons
curiosity, hype, nostalgia, see and be-seen
the rolling stones (nearly) live
cross that one off the list
been there done that
...moving on