The Wight Stuff?

As a deadicated Deadhead, it would make sense to Press Play on perhaps some Jerry Garcia Band today, afterall it is his birthday, or would be. I've been pretty tired and kind of out of it seemingly all day long from the time I woke up right until this midnight hour. Really I can celebrate Jerry any day of the year, I do every time I listen to him whether it's one of his side projects or the Dead. So I went with something else tonight. Was somewhat of a mistake...

The Rolling Stones
Isle of Wight Festival - June 10, 2007
Seaclose Park, Newport, England

Start Me Up
You Got Me Rocking
Rough Justice
Love In Vain (w/guest Paolo Nutini)
Can You Hear Me Knocking
Ain't Too Proud To Bed (w/Amy Winehouse)
Tumbling Dice
I Wanna Hold You
Slipping Away
Miss You
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Honky Tonk Woman
Sympathy For The Devil
Brown Sugar
encore: Jumpin' Jack Flash

Ahhh, summer in the UK and time once again for the sixth annual Isle of Wight Festival. It's been hugely popular since its revival in 2002, a year that saw only 8,000 attendees, growing steadily to the over 60,000 at this years 3-day event. When people purchased their tickets all the way the heck back in February, no one even knew the Stones would be headlining. Still this little wing ding sold out in like four days, it did. And with acts like Keane, The Fratellis, Wolfmother, and Snow Patrol (I've never even heard any of them!) the crowd would probably mostly be children, almost, kids who weren't even born when the Stones were on like their 230th studio album circa Waiting On A Friend-Start Me Up-Tattoo You days. When it was announced the Stones would be playing, I wonder how many went, "The Rolling who? Aren't they fossilized by now?" They should be considering they formed as a band sometime during the reign of Queen Victoria... and if memory serves me right, Mick & the boys were even invited to plat at the 50th anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne in 1887.

In any case... here they are back in a festival setting for the first time since Knebworth in 1976 -- 31 years! And they get a great reception! A lot of people probably shelled out plenty of quid for a ticket just to see the Stones. But was it worth it? It might be time for these relics to retire. They have backup singers and a horn & rhythm section numbering a total of 9 people. That makes 13 on stage putting together these songs. I'm about cringing at that. The Police, while not nearly as old, can do the same, probably, or at least just about, with THREE. The Stones need 13. If it was just the four guys -- Mick, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood on rhythm guitar and Charlie Watts on drums -- plus maybe a guy on bass, playing in a small club, 350-400 people max. capacity, I'd seriously consider layin' down a few hundred bucks to see that!!! I like the Stones but this big band thing doesn't appeal to me. Half the time you can hardly hear Keith 'cause he's essentially one of two rhythm guitar players while the backup band fills in the sound. Sometimes he really did shine and some of these songs -- including a nearly 10 minute(!!) Can You Hear Me Knocking -- were great to hear!!! Just not ideal. The crowd doesn't help the recording at all. A few times it's like listening to group karaoke. Ugh.

Don't clap along, don't chat while the band is playing, don't scream out "Wooooooooooooo!!!" and for goodness sakes -- DON'T SING ALONG! Please. I know, I know, but that might interupt your good time. Listen, what you may not realize is someone close to you might be recording the concert. Why mess that up? Maybe one day you'll wanna hear the show you were at and when you go back and hear people WOOOOing and talking and singing and clapping, you might think, "That recording just stinks." Well, duh.

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