DVD Review: Rolling Stones – Under Review 1967-1969

Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 is a 90-minute documentary film that chronicles the turbulent times in which the Rolling Stones transformed from a good cover band into an international sensation. During the second half of the 1960s, the sound of the Rolling Stones changed dramatically with the rise of the songwriting team of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It also marked the decline and eventual death of co-founder Brian Jones.

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger first met as classmates in the early 1950s at the Wentworth County Junior School, and later, in 1960 at the Sidcup Art College. Eventually they met up with Brian Jones, who was active in the London R&B scene, and started playing together.

On July 12, 1962, the Rolling Stones, named after the Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone," played their first formal gig at the Marquee Club in central London. Over the course of the next three years, the Stones would release three albums in the U.S. that mainly consisted of cover songs that they performed on tour mixed with the occasional Jagger/Richards composition.

In 1965, their fourth album, Out of Our Heads, was a turning point in that their management pushed Jagger and Richards to compose more original songs to go up against the Beatles' Lennon and McCartney; they played the bad boys, to the Beatles' good boy image. This album put the Rolling Stones on the map with the number one international best seller "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," as well as another hit, "The Last Time." This positioned the Rolling Stones to become a worldwide premier act.

Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 really begins with the events leading up to 1967 and a brief history of the band. Then in 1967, Jagger and Richards began to be hounded by the authorities over illegal drug use. As their trials were to start, Jones was arrested for marijuana possession. Later, Richards would comment along the lines that here, things got serious; it was no longer just fun.

After they were convicted and subsequently released from prison, they released Their Satanic Majesties Request, which came out shortly after the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This album had a psychedelic sound, but it really was not the traditional Rolling Stones.

1968 found the Stones with a new manager, Allen Klein, and back to the basics with their music, resulting in the album Beggars Banquet and the hit songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Sympathy for the Devil," and "Street Fighting Man." Throughout this time, with Jagger and Richards taking more control of the Stones, Jones began his downward spiral.

In early 1969, the Rolling Stones found out that Jones was unable to get a visa to go on tour in the states because of his drug convictions. By June, all of the members agreed to fire Jones. In Less than a month, Jones was dead, found drowned in his pool.

Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 is another of the quality "Under Review" series. It gets down into the depths of understanding of what went on during this time, and how it affected the band.

Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 contains some rare musical performances, obscure footage, rare interviews, and private photos of the band, and live and studio recordings of "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Sympathy for the Devil," and others. There is commentary on, and footage of, many of the Stones' pivotal influences from the time.

Extras on Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 include "Keith Altham Remembers the Beggars Banquet Press Reception," an interactive gaming feature, and full contributor biographies.

I can highly recommend Rolling Stones: Under Review 1967-1969 for anyone who loves music, loves the history behind the music, loves the Stones, or just wants to be entertained for an evening.

Contributors:

• Keith Altham – Stones P.A.
• Merry Clayton – Stones backing vocalist
• Byron Berline – Session musician
• Robert Christgau – Rolling Stone Magazine
• Anthony Decurtis– Rolling Stone Magazine
• Nigel Williamson – Uncut Magazine
• Others…