A few years ago Cuba opened its doors for visitors from the USA under certain circumstances. With this came a trip from President Barack Obama for the first time in 88 years (President Truman being the last.) In fact his trip coincided with the legendary band The Rolling Stones. Only the Stones can make Obama’s trip take a back seat in the newspapers. The Rolling Stones appearance in Havana, Cuba was a first for the country and of course for the band. This free show in the capital city of Cuba attracted more than a million people. You can see the anticipation written all over their faces as the video takes you through the city before the show actually starts.
It takes you behind the scenes as it shows the band walking to the stage and getting ready to expand the city of Havana’s horizons. The various camera angles include behind Charlie Watts drum kit and shows the vast area covered by the sea of humanity. Between the tickling of the ivories during “Angie” to the rocking “Honky Tonk Women” the people of Cuba were taken on a joyous emotional ride.
You won’t see a more energetic front man AT ANY AGE than Mick Jagger. If you have any doubts about his voice quality, go to “Paint it Black.” A true testament to the 72 years young Jagger. If you watch “Midnight Rambler,” you will see that no one has the moves like Jagger! The camaraderie between the 4 guys really shows with the various angles. Look at the smile and partial hug Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards share towards the end of “Midnight Rambler.” For “Gimme Shelter,” longtime backup vocalist Lisa Fischer would join Jagger front and center to sing one of the choruses. With her recent departure, this gave Sasha Allen the wonderful opportunity to do this and she pulled it off with flying colors.
They rearranged songs from the DVD and CD as they are not in the same sequential order. There are 5 bonus tracks on the DVD that are just standard on the CD. There are no fast cutting to other camera angles that a lot of DVD’s now use.
All in all this little band that originated in London in 1962 shows why they are now and have been the biggest rock band in the world. The band is like fine wine and I agree with Richards, as they have never sounded better!
