Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus

Cafe Society
1

It never ceases to amaze me what incredible gems can be out there unknown and gathering dust for decades, only to finally appear, still undiminished in their brilliance. Okay, maybe for some of you who have seen this, it wasn’t all that and certainly a lot of you first enjoyed this back in it’s initial release in ‘96, only 26 years after it was recorded. But somehow, Saturday night’s projection of this amazing little film by a local PBS during a pledge drive was the first I’d seen or heard anything at all about this film. The Stones apparently shelved it because of fears that good as their craft may have been, guests The Who, fresh and polished from a tour, may have looked even better still and, then, Brian died. Being so uninformed, so unknowledgable about Rock n’ Roll Circus’ contents, I was truly dumbstruck by the entire show.

In a brief description by MusicTap… *"For those who have yet to see Rock and Roll Circus and need a short primer on the film, it is simply this. Set in a circus atmosphere with live performances by Jethro Tull, The Who, the gorgeous Marianne Faithfull, Taj Mahal, The Dirty Mac (a convergence of talent featuring Eric Clapton (Cream), Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), Keith Richards, and John Lennon), and, of course, The Rolling Stones and interspersed with trapeze acts and fire-eaters, this show embodied the emerging spirit of 70s rock.

In it you see a picture perfect performance by Jethro Tull with Ian Anderson’s signature posturing and delivery as well as the band’s play of “Song For Jeffrey.” It is followed by a performance of The Who with their “A Quick One While He’s Away”, a smoking R&B performance by Taj Mahal of “Ain’t That a Lot of Love”, and a bewitching song by Marianne Faithfull, “Something Better.”

In the next performance, John Lennon’s Dirty Mac (hmmm…Dirty Mac) raises the bar and sets the stage for 70s rock by a free-styled blues-rock set that begins with “Yer Blues” and finishes with the avant garde styled “Whole Lotta Yoko” with Yoko Ono who rattles the stage with her vocals set to a jam for the ages by the assembled super-group.

Following are six Stones tunes that begin with “Jumping Jack Flash”, includes a grand performance of “Sympathy For the Devil”, fills with “Parachute Woman”, a great acoustic and slide guitar performance of “No Expectations”, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, and closed by “Salt of the Earth.” All in all, this show runs 63 minutes."*

I’m curious if others were similarly moved. It was fascinating to watch Brian Jones in his last performance before his death enjoying the playing but obviously very content with a less conspicuous role, decidedly reserved in his demeanor. Keith Richards with boyish charm, no drug addled appearance in the slightest. Eric Clapton, not just amazing on the guitar but almost vigorous. John Lennon obviously really enjoying both himself and the assemblage (despite some freaky Yokowail). And Mick Jagger’s performance was simply mesmerizing.

I also had to bring this up because maybe there’s someone else out there still unfamiliar with the work. If so, please, deny yourself no longer. This is a wonderful time capsule and you feel like you’re right there in the middle of a helluva little party.

2

Wonderful video; rumor is that the reason the Stones suppressed it all those years is that they were well aware that the Who had upstaged the hell out of them.

My only disappointment, as a rabid Jethro Tull fan, is that Tull’s song is mimed to a backing track (only Ian Anderson’s vocal is live).

3

I own the DVD and love it.

That’s Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath “playing” guitar with Jethro Tull.

Yeah, I thought that Jagger was a bit off in that show, and that the Who kicked the shit out of “A Quick One”. Taj Mahal (with Jesse Ed Davis playing some choice Tele licks) was a treat, too. I would liked to have seen more from the Dirty Mac (if someone would’ve tied up Yoko out back for a bit).

4

The Who and Tull both were past by the time I surfed upon this but yes, every review has raved about them both. Even without comparing them it seemed good enough to order (plus the whole PBS funding and all) so my thought was that there’s all icing on the cake. Townshend was pretty amusing late with the pillowcase hat. Actually, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, maybe from the delirium of the collossal recording duration due to the cameras constantly breaking down.

An Arky did I read right that it was Tony’s one Tull gig and done with an “air” guitar? Ah, reading closer you said “playing”, so I’ll give that a “yes”.

5

I’m sorry I missed this, but am checking it out on Amazon…the only thing that makes me hesitate is the presence of Yoko, and I think I’ll wait to see if I can catch it on my local PBS station before purchasing.

The thought of her caterwauling makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

6

You should definitely not buy it. The “presence” of Yoko is sure to spoil the amazing performances of the Rolling Stones, the Who, Marianne Faithfull, and Taj Mahal for you. If you even touch the DVD you might get Yoko-cooties. Better to be safe than sorry. :rolleyes:

7

Thanks for the heads-up! :stuck_out_tongue:

8

I was elated when this was released, but it looks like I can give up hope for a similar release of Cocksucker Blues in my lifetime. :frowning:

9

For me, it’s the presence of the Rolling Stones themselves. I only saw the first two acts, then turned it off before being accidentally exposed to them.

10

I came across it at out public library – someone there was on the ball. A wonderful DVD.

11

I’m really excited about this, I just added it to my Netflix queue. Thanks for the heads up.

Me too!

12

Non-facetiously, I think the presence of Yoko does spoil it. I think her presence spoils humanity, fer Og’s sake. But I guess a mute/FF button will spare me the brunt of her vile existance on this DVD. Off to Amazon!

13

I saw this back in 96 when it was first released, and it was the first time I ever heard Song for Jeffrey, which is a smoking hot track. For this alone I have to give it some props.

14

Absolutely fecking great. Taj Mahal is just the coolest bastard, and seeing Mick mucking about with John Lennon is really funny - as is the awful Yoko singing if you look at the faces of the others in the band when she sings - it’s like they all wishing she’d just shut it and let them get on with it through gritted teeth at times…

15

It’s a good movie, although it lacks the punch of “Woodstock,” or The Who’s “Kids Are Alright.” The latter features “A Quick One While He’s Away” from R&RC.

16

Yoko’s performance is grating, but is so over the top bizarre that it has to seen to believe. Dirty Mac consisted of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell. There’s some French dude playing violin and the looks that they each give Yoko as she pretends to sing by wailing like a hyena are priceless.

I have the DVD and another great thing is the commentary. Fully 3 different people claim to have come up with the idea for the show.

Also, by the time the Stones did their part it was like 4 in the morning, so it’s not surprising that they weren’t in the best of condition.