Stones in Exile [DVD] [2010] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

This is a very good DVD release, although it doesn't seem like the Holy Grail of Glimmer Twins releases we fans have wished for all these years. It's interesting to see footage (and there's a lot of it) from this time period, with snippets of C-S Blues and more of Ladies and Gentlemen thrown in. I could have done without the interviews with Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill, Jack White, Liz Phair and probably Sheryl Crow. White's comments seem to repeat themselves, and while Crow and Phair are OK in the main movie, their cutting-room floor segments on the DVD's bonus features really starts to drag, especially Phair, who comes across as self-absorbed and almost desperate for attention.
On the plus side, the interview with Don Was is good, probably the best of the non-Stones interviews, and Black Eyed Peas' Will I. Am gives a decent interview. Much of Mick Taylor's and Bill Wyman's comments are relegated to the bonus features area, but they are seen and heard in the main film, also. And speaking of the main film, it's only 61 minutes in the length, unfortunately. The bonus features bump up the running time on this release. I was hoping for a 2-hour documentary, "25 X 5"-style, with maybe 30 or 40 minutes of bonus interviews. Not so. It is a short feature, but what is there is pretty cool. To hear Keith Richards reveal why he did heroin in that time period (and presumably for another five or six years) is a revelation, and Wyman's playful jibe at Taylor's comatose-like stage presence during the 1972 shows is hysterical and ironic. Wyman does finally utter something like, "I'm one to talk." "In 30 years with The Rolling Stones, I maybe took three steps on the stage," Wyman says while laughing.
"Stones in Exile" is a good release, but it falls just short of being an immaculate document of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Maybe Eagle Rock's upcoming DVD release of "Ladies and Gentlemen ... The Rolling Stones" will be packed to the gills with extra goodies.

For the novice to intermediate enthusiast, this is a well constructed and fascinating overview of what life and artistic expression was like for the Stones in Spring 1971, which was it's intended purpose (inspire new or deeper fan-dom + renew interest in Exile = greater mythos and sales).

For the long time, obsessive enthusiast...who has either seen / heard or has every piece of audio or video media ever made available outside the Stones camp's private archive...there is still plenty of fun here. The interviews, wisely dubbed over period visuals, carry the story along vibrantly. If you pay attention there's lots of interesting insights...from the various horse's mouths...into their personalities, creative process, the Nellcote mythology (much of which isn't as decadent or mysterious as it has been embellished to be).

As for the footage, while germane to the period, album, and supporting tour the following year, there are only snippets here and there of 'original' or unseen footage (at least to the serious afficianado) with little thought to relevance or accurate chronology. That having been said, it is great to see clean, presumably first generation footage from 'CS Blues' and 'Ladies and Gentlemen' (which is FINALLY being cleaned up and officially released on DVD this fall). The grainy footage from Nellcote is mesmerizing, as are the cutting room floor audio sequences of previously unheard jamming and studio dialogue that accompany them.

A happy note too is the final credits soundtrack giving us 'Exile on Main Street Blues', a quick, piano accompanied track which was previously available only on bootleg since released as a 'flexi-disc' promo prior to the 1972 US Tour.

I enjoyed 'Stones in Exile', and...though, like any anticipated Stones release, it could never live up to the preconceived hopes I had for it...it was alot of fun to watch and I'm glad they did it. My only real criticism is the pointless interviews with the likes of Jack White, Benicio Del Toro, and Sheryl Crow...all nice people and interesting artists (no disrespect) but irrelevant. Fortunately very brief. Don Was was a sensible inclusion because a.) he has worked with them alot, and on 'Voodoo' tried to replicate / modernize the various dynamics that made Exile so great (this time at Ron Wood's house in Ireland). Scorsese, of course, appreciates the Stones intelligently and is always interesting to hear on any topic.

Finally, I'd like to point out that the Stones are now...after waiting almost 40 years...at the artistic status of their original idols who inspired them to play music in the first place (when they were 18 or 19): Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Robert Johnson, Chester Burnett, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley. They have an archive that is truly a legendary musical legacy, and the wellspring of alot more other artist's work and performing style than they are given credit for.

On that note, Keith, how about an album of covers in 2011 (like 'The Rolling Stones' and 'The Rolling Stones No.2'?)

Secondly, while I hope they continue to write, record, and tour as well, I am thrilled that they are FINALLY starting to really open the archives and share the 'backdrop' (outtakes and demos)/missing pieces (extended Ya Yas) of all their renowned recordings and tours...that could carry them commercially for another 40 years if they never recorded another note or played live again! Keep it coming fellows.

FOOTNOTE: the bonus footage of Stargroves (particularly) and Olympic, accompanied by Jagger and Watts commentary, was worth the price of the DVD alone (for me anyway).

Watching this video was a bit of a letdown. The Stones' journey (what they're willing to share with the public) is well known, so there are few surprises here.

However, what's most irksome is the lack of any real video content. Much of the video includes a voice over narrative with the only "video" being still pictures (often black and white) of the band. The camera pans over the photos at some random angles, but there's no disguising the fact that you're not watching any actual footage.

Second, there is very little concert footage. There are a few seconds here and there of some song, with zero information about the specific concert or location. It almost feels like a teaser for yet another Stones video package, which will yet again feature nothing but watered down product including photo montages and snippets of musical performances.

The soundtrack (exile on main st.) is wonderful, and crystal clear, but hey, I already have that soundtrack.

Feel free to pass on this one. I wish I had watched this as a rental instead.