The Stones in the Park

The Stones in the Park

(Leslie Woodhead, 1969)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Very much a product of its time, 1969's 'The Stones in the Park' captures The Rolling Stones live at an important crossroads
 

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'The Stones in the Park' is a raw documentary/concert film that sees The Rolling Stones play a huge free gig just days after founding member/guitarist Brian Jones' sudden death.

Unveiled for the first time is new lead guitarist Mick Taylor, falling in effortlessly with Keith Richards' rhythm guitar, Bill Wyman's bass, Charlie Watts' drums and Mick Jagger's powerful vocals. Taylor was the best guitarist the Stones ever had and, while he's not on fire here, Stones fans will consider this a true milestone that has thankfully been preserved so well.

Its production values are both of its time and quite ahead of it. Psychedelic fast zooms in and out are distractingly dated but director Leslie Woodhead also serves up some quite drastic editing techniques for a one-hour TV production.

The Blu-ray recreates the grain-heavy budget production very well and offers a host of well thought out extras. Stones fans will want to pick this up.

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