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THE ROLLING STONES : BRIDGES TO BABYLON TOUR '97 - 98 |
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Label : Eagle Rock Release Year : 1998 Venue : TWA Dome, St. Louis, Missouri, USA Recording Date : December 12, 1997 Running Time : 120 minutes NTSC : 4:3 Review (AllMusic) : It's amazing how the performance quality of the Rolling Stones fluctuates live. The world's greatest rock & roll band's records are brilliant and loose, but that looseness frequently slips into sloppiness on-stage thanks largely to Mick Jagger. Sometimes he's more concerned about prancing around and milking the stadium spectacle than singing. Fortunately, Bridges to Babylon Tour '97-'98 - which was filmed in St. Louis, MO - is an exception. Jagger still struts around like the sole rooster in a hen house, but Keith Richards' guitar work is tight and bass guitarist Darryl Jones and the other backing musicians help drummer Charlie Watts keep things in place. Guitarist Ronnie Wood supplies the carefree attitude this time around. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Let's Spend the Night Together" serve as energetic openers. "Gimme Shelter" retains its incendiary, dangerous power and background vocalist Lisa Fischer and Jagger keep each others wired. Dave Matthews makes a guest appearance to duet with Jagger on "Wild Horses." "Waiting on a Friend" was selected by Internet voters as the "fan request" song, and guest Joshua Redman provides the saxophone work. "Miss You" turns into an extended jam session. The core band crosses a bridge suspended over the audience to perform "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" and Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" on a smaller stage in the middle of the field seats. Back on the main stage, Richards playfully sneaks up behind keyboardist Chuck Leavell during "Honky Tonk Women" to pound out a few piano chords with his gnarled paw. "Jumping Jack Flash" rocks along with a fairly tight groove. A robust "Brown Sugar" closes the show. |