The Gift Guide
Riff-a-rama
Rockin' reads 2010 and other delights
Published: November 24, 2010
NOTEWORTHY MUSIC DVDS: The last thing the world needs is another documentary about the overplayed Doors, right? But director Tom DiCillo's When You're Strange (Eagle Rock) — narrated by Johnny Depp — is a revelation, featuring footage you never even knew existed of things you'd only read and heard about until now, including the infamous Miami concert and the band recording The Soft Parade in the studio. It'll give you new appreciation for Jim Morrison as the pioneer he was. Iggy wouldn't have existed without him.
Best DVD box is Reelin' In the Years' five-disc British Invasion featuring mini-Beatles Anthology-like docs on the Small Faces, Herman's Hermits, Dusty Springfield and Gerry & the Pacemakers, with a disc of outtakes and additional scenes. Each is a gem in its own right, sometimes surprisingly so.
The Rolling Stones' Stones in Exile (Eagle Rock) documents the recording of Exile on Main Street in the year of its much-hyped re-release, featuring all the major principals. Still, it's a bit amazing that a story so full of brilliance and decadence could result in a doc that's actually fairly dull — fine for one visit but not repeated viewings. Yet, to bring this ramble full circle, it's always fun to see Keith make claims like "Mick was the rock; I was the roll" — something that's very obvious in the more essential Ladies & Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones (Eagle Rock). A full concert from the '72 Exile tour, taken from several different shows, the Stones released this originally as a touring concert film (with its own sound system!) in place of the shelved Cocksucker Blues. With Mick Taylor still Keith's most perfect guitar foil and the band (with Bill Wyman) at the top of their game — it remains some of the finest rock 'n' roll concert footage ever filmed. It's like an entirely different band than the much less dangerous warhorses we know today.
> Email Bill Holdship
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