The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

This circus-based rock show starts with Jethro Tull and The Who, moves through Dirty Mac (Lennon and Yoko, Clapton, etc.), Taj Mahal, and Marianne Faithful, and ends up with the Rolling Stones themselves. Some acrobats and other acts along the way add to the sense of spaced-out-ness and general oddity.

The performances range from great (the Stones set culminating with 'Sympathy for the Devil'; the Who with 'A Quick One'; Jethro Tull - featuring a young Tony Iommi - with 'Song for Jeffrey') to embarrassing (Yoko's wailing). The mood is chaotic and more than a little amateur, but this gives the show a certain amount of interest and charm.

The only colour footage of the original Stones line-up? Some crazy costumes here and colour clashes but good to see them together in their heyday, even if Brian Jones does seem a bit out of it.

Overall, enjoyable.

Most people who watch "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus," a TV program that the Stones put together for the BBC in December '68--but that was never aired--will likely be struck by the same thought: How could this remarkable show fail to have been shown back when? The program turns out to be a godsend for fans of '60s rock, featuring as it does not only "The World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band," but also Jethro Tull, The Who, Marianne Faithful, Taj Mahal and a band called Dirty Mac, interspersed, under the big top, with some amusing circus acts, and observed by a small but enthusiastic audience in whimsical regalia. All the performers are in top form here, but the highlights for me were Jethro Tull, here with future Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi filling in for the recently departed Mick Abrahams, and the two songs performed by the Dirty Mac. This was a one-shot supergroup consisting of Mitch Mitchell on drums and Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and John Lennon on guitars! The version of the Fab Four's "Yer Blues" that they dish out here is just awesome, and when Yoko Ono hits the stage to caterwaul on the instrumental blues romp "Whole Lotta Yoko"...well, just hold on to your eardrums! This program, fittingly, belongs to the Stones, however, and the six tunes that the boys give us are just terrific, especially that "Sympathy for the Devil," during which Mick Jagger gets to prove again that he really is rock's best frontman. Whotta high-energy display; no wonder John Lennon can be seen boogying his pies off in the audience! Bottom line: If you're a fan of any of the artists mentioned above, this DVD is for you!

Legend has it that The Stones withheld airing and release of this production for many years because they thought that they had been upstaged by The Who. One look at this show and you'll know why: Pete and the boys quite simply stole the show with renditions of such tunes as 'Happy Jack' and--especially--'A Quick One (While He's Been Gone)'.

In my opinion though, The Stones put on quite a show of their own, and its great to see them (and the other bands of that era) in their prime. If you're a fan of rock (especially of the late '60s), you MUST check this one out--you won't regret it.

"You've all been forgiven"--Townsend

Wow. Wasn't that a party. An "intimate" show in a circus tent with the bad boys. I don't know why Mick felt the stones' performance was weaker than the other acts, I mean, The Who were the best of the bunch, but it doesn't get any better than the version of "No Expectations" contained herein. A time capsule in the best sense of the word, all the acts were great- from Tull's wicked opener to The Dirty Mac's "Yer Blues". If only Barnum & Bailey could do it as good.....Let's Drink To The Good Hearted People...

... Mick Jagger says after finshing a set as Keith walks across the stage while Mick graciously accepts the warm applause of the audience. Get a feel for the times as these rock'n'roll icons huddled under a circus tent for a great performance. Being able to see Mick Jagger really get into his performance, interact with the crowd, and even direct his singing to the camera is great and makes this production very unique... not like Gimme Shelter with Hells Angles. No, this is a controled stage performace and everyone is having a great time. If you look around you can even see the camera men lugging around their heavy equipment catching different angles and views of the performers and the crowd. This is a definate must have for fans of real rock n roll music.