One thing that the Rolling Stones have always been good at is making the most of publicity. They’ve found unique ways to announce world tours (from a boat) and early videos (in drag); and in 2018 they’ve found a way to get two bangs back-to-back with a big 2019 US tour announcement on the heels of their release of a new CD/DVD set from the Voodoo Lounge tour of 1994. And what better way to psyche yourself up for the upcoming shows than by snacking on a show from the past that’s finger-licking good.
Another thing the Stones have succeeded at is giving fans what they want on a fairly regular basis. Their vaults must be chock-full of delectable film footage as they keep releasing these CD/DVD goodies every year, including one earlier this year from a show in 1999. This time around, it’s Miami 1994 that gets rejuvenated with remixed and remastered audio, as well as a recut to include the entire show, which featured special guests Bo Diddley, Sheryl Crow and Robert Cray.
Coming near the end of the American leg, this particular show drew over 55,000 fans to see the iconic rock stars perform some of their most famous tunes – “Honky Tonk Women,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “ It’s Only Rock N Roll” – for the first time without bass player Bill Wyman. Wyman had retired and Darryl Jones was just getting his feet wet as part of the Stones after time in Sting’s solo band. Jones brought with him a funky ambiance, enabling the Stones to surf on some new rhythm waves. Mick Jagger, who has always been a creature of movement, especially appeared to revel in the extra groove lines.
By the time of this Miami show, all the Stones were certainly feeling it too. The horn section, led by Bobby Keys on sax, never sounded better, and the video gives ample showcase time to Keys, who passed away in 2014 from cancer. Backup singers Lisa Fischer and Bernard Fowler are also given plenty of face time, proving what vital components they are to a well-oiled Stones live show.
Strutting out in a long red jacket, Jagger blows on his harmonica to intro “Not Fade Away,” a 1964 hit for the young Stones in England that was originally done by Buddy Holly. About six songs in, Sheryl Crow comes out to sing “Live With Me” from 1969’s Let It Bleed. Robert Cray would join them on an old Robert Johnson song, “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues,” and almost steal the show, as did Bo Diddley on “Who Do You Love.”
Another big highlight of the DVD is when the Stones scurry over to a side stage that glided into the crowd for a three song acoustic set consisting of “Angie,” “Dead Flowers” and “Sweet Virginia.” It is always a pleasure when the band changes up the beat of a song to get a new flavor. They did this successfully on “Heartbreaker” and “Miss You” as well.
Keith Richards was given his usual vocal solo spotlight during the show, this time singing “Before They Make Me Run” and the Voodoo Lounge track, “The Worst.” His crunching guitar licks, that matched his voice perfectly, always satisfied, whether he was soloing or falling into a dirty rhythm with Jones or Ronnie Wood.
In terms of the video itself, some of the editing is so fast you don’t have time to savor the moment – a complete Wood solo would have been nice – or the angles sometimes seem a bit irritating – could they possibly show something other than the side of Charlie Watts’ face? There are five bonus songs from a show at Giants Stadium but a peek inside the backstage would have been even better.
But overall, this is a treat, capturing the Stones in a new phase of their career – without Wyman, the guys entering into their fifties (yes, they sang “Satisfaction”) – all without giving up any of their spunk, personality and pizzazz.
Voodoo Lounge Uncut happily comes in several formats to thrill any Stones fan, including double CDs with either the DVD or Blu-ray or triple vinyl. Lip smacking good.
