Rolling Stones - The Stones in the Park (1969)

The Hyde Park Free Concerts are legendary, and none more so than when the Rolling Stones performed there two days after the death of former bandmate Brian Jones back in 1969. What was always planned as a major show turned into a memorial with 500,000 people in attendance. Mick Jagger opens reading an excerpt from Shelley's poem Adonais as a dedication to Jones and releases thousands of butterflies. The film sees the Stones at their most raw and emotional. Songs include: 01- Midnight Rambler 02- Satisfaction 03- I´m Free 04- I´m Yours She´s Mine 05- Jumping Jack Flash 06- Honky Tonk Woman 07- Love In Vain 08- Sympathy For The Devil Product Description

richards/taylor guitar interplay

Even if not a Stones fan, but a guitar fan, should cause you to watch/listen to this dvd. This was just the beginning of Keith Richards' and Mick Taylors' heavy style of riffing which carried them through the 1970's. A little ragged around the edges, but thats how we like the Stones. Too bad the whole show is not presented here, but what is here, should be savored and enjoyed like nothing else. Very good presentation of a very metallic sounding Stones in front of 200,000 plus people, on their home turf in England. Make sure to watch/listen on good quality home theater system at loud volume(just a suggestion). July 12, 2007

"Satisfaction" is easy with this historic event!

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

July 5, 1969 is one of the most historic days in rock and roll. The Stones concert in London's Hyde Park would pay homage to the late Brian Jones and usher in the new and extraordinary era of Mick Taylor (1969-74).

For those that have looked to fault every possible second of the event and judge the release on only the musical portion and not include "The Event" it is only right equal time is given to counter the unneccesary critisism the gig received.

The typical complaint about any music DVD not recorded with a 34 billion dollar budget to the sound snob is the fidelity doesn't meet the quality standard. In 1969 you were not dealing with digital technology and preserving the moment is worth more stars than how the mix is.

It has been discussed that newcomer Mick Taylor looks nervous. That is earth shattering news. He had less than 48 hours notice the permits were in place and they could perform. If your first show was in front of over 100,000 people and your bandmates lost somebody that they had often spent more time with than their own families, if there weren't butterflies he wouldn't have a heart or soul.

Keith's guitar is out of tune during "Satisfaction." There is a first. No musician has ever had this before. It is amazing that any of the Stones could get through the day knowing Brian's departure is now in a permanent sense.

The band isn't inspired. Then why did they play the longest version of "Sympathy For The Devil" (19:00) ever performed? If you look at the complete list of songs regardless if they are included or not, they could have easily made the show a hit factory. There are a myriad of tunes that only a hardcore Stones aficionado would be able to name correctly.

There one knock that is justifiable. Surprisingly it is the one thing the Skeptic's hadn't been thrilled to inform every Amazon review reader) the playing time of the DVD does not encompass the entire set. I have listed the songs and next to the ones that aren't found on the DVD will be the letters NF (Not Found).

To Brian Jones thank you for your incredible contribution to the Stones and to Mick Taylor there wasn't a better man for the job.

1 EULOGY FOR BRIAN 2:42
2 I'M YOURS SHE'S MINE 2:12
3 JUMPING JACK FLASH 3:10
4 NO EXPECTATIONS 3:42 NF
5 MERCY, MERCY 3:13 NF
6 STRAY CAT BLUES 3:43 NF
7 I'M FREE 2:25 NF
8 DOWN HOME GIRL 5:22 NF
9 LOVE IN VAIN 4:39
10 LOVING CUP 5:38 NF
11 MIDNIGHT RAMBLER 8:09
12 SATISFACTION 4:24
13 HONKY TONK WOMEN 3:40
14 STREET FIGHTING MAN 3:42 NF
15 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL 19:01

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"
June 15, 2007

Love It

If you've read my other reviews, you won't be surprised by this one.

This is a great concert DVD. It has most of my favorite old Stones songs, played with the instruments and musicians of the day. And that is important. You get to hear it as it was. The sound that made them famous, the sound that made them grow into the artists that they are today. Don't get me wrong, I love Darell Jones, Ron Wood and the lovely Lisa Fischer. They weren't there back then though. I only wish we could have heard Brian play his melotron.

The draw back is that it was filmed in 1969 technology also. The picture is a little fuzzy, just like our memories of 1969. The sound isn't 21st century quality either. But hey-- ITS THE STONES MAN!

They devoted this concert to Brian Jones who had just died two days earlier, even though they planned to do it without him previous to his death anyway. There was a rift in the band, largely because Brian Jones was spending more and more time shagging and drugging and almost never showing up for practice with the rest of the band. Real artists practice. Band members practice together. So the founding member got the boot.

Had he come out of his drug induced "funk" and not been murdered by the tradesman working around the house, I believe that Brian would have gone on to start another band that would be just as memorable as The Rolling Stones. Also he died, Mick, Keith and Charlie lived and the rest is history.

If you are a Stones fan, this is required viewing. BUY IT. I bought the Korean Import version, but it wasn't a big savings. What are you waiting for... Just buy a copy and watch it! January 28, 2007

Was there, was great

The concert in the park was one of two free concerts the Rolling Stones ever performed. With two days since Brian Jones' death to perform, it was well conceived. We were near a small grove of trees toward the left uppper knoll which had a fantastic view. The sound was good and the kindness including a eulogy by Marinanne Faithfull was a blessing. Years later (1997) we had an admission of his being killed by the mason (on his deathbed) and drowned by him in Brain's swimming pool. At the time we just knew this was a good man (founder of the Stones) who had drug and drinking patterns that hindered his talents as a player (won't we all). He was inspired by the great American bluesmen which was the basis of the group. The Hell's Angel's were the security which became unruly, but not like American Angel's. They were soft but did light bonfires near the stage. The moths were incredible set free. We then went on to Isle of Wight to see Pentangle, Bob Dylan & The Band, Family
The Who and more.... August 20, 2006

Weird to say the least....

After watching this film, I thought I was watching the second coming of the 3rd Reich. Lets just say it's no "Gimmie Shelter". December 10, 2005

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