The concert winds down while drawing from the Stones' back catalogue starting with the down and dirty “Love in Vain” with some sharp drum work from Charlie Watts. Then they knock off some early material from the ‘70s, “Tumblin’ Dice” and Keith Richards' moment to shine, “Happy.” Wrapping it all up are quick versions of “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” All this in 83 minutes.
Making this disc a bit of a time capsule, bonus features show the Stones appearing on television shows like Saturday Night Live, where Jagger sings three songs with a raw, strained voice, and ABC’s 20/20. Interviews with Geraldo Rivera remind us the band hadn’t been together for two years, Ronnie Wood had only joined the band in 1975, and rehearsals for the tour had taken place in Woodstock, New York. All together, the package shows 1978 was a very good year for the Rolling Stones despite punk bands and new wave groups challenging their musical relevance.
For viewers in 2011, this is a flashback to the period between the innovation of the '60s and early ‘70s and what would become an era of uneven albums and stage shows where the emphasis was often as much on show as the music. True, the songs can often seem rushed and similar in tone and pace, but energy and excitement was clearly the point on this hot summer night in July. The only thing missing is getting hit by the water Jagger throws on some concert-goers. So bring your own bucket and make the experience complete.
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