'The Rolling Stones: From the Vault: L.A. Forum'
(The Rolling Stones / DVD / NR / 2014 / Eagle Vision)
Overview: From The Vault is a new series of live concerts from The Rolling Stones archive which are getting their first official release. L.A. Forum Live In 1975 is the second title in this series. The Rolling Stones Tour Of The Americas 75 was the band's first tour with new guitarist Ronnie Wood.
DVD Verdict: Even before the tour dates of 1975 had started there were dramatic scenes in New York City at the official tour announcement ... when the band unexpectedly turned up on a flatbed truck to play 'Brown Sugar'! After a couple of low key warm-up shows in Louisiana, the tour took in 44 dates between the 3rd June and the 8th August 1975. They settled into the L.A. Forum for a five night stint from July 9th to 13th and this concert film features the show from July 12th.
With The Rolling Stones releasing two vintage concerts on DVD, CD, Blu-ray and vinyl in November, this new series of From the Vault kicked off with the delightful Hampton Coliseum — Live in 1981, and then followed it up with this one at the L.A. Forum.
Jam packed, quite literally, with all their hits and so much more from the time, the L.A. Forum show is two-and-half hours worth (that's right, you heard me) of pure, unadulterated Stones! Taken from their July 12th gig during that aforementioned five-night stand in Los Angeles, after the introduction of the band (which is in itself, a smiler to listen back to now), they instantly launch into 'Honky Tonk Woman,' and back it up with 'All down The Line,' 'If You Can't Rock Me / Get Off My Cloud,' and then both 'Star Star' and 'Gimmie Shelter.'
With the heavily eye-linered Mick Jagger constantly jiggling his right leg whilst singing, he's like a drug addict coming off a high the whole time, but it's also Keith Richards' perfectly sculptured guitar playing that catches the eye too. Jagger may well be front and center in his bright jacket, white shirt and pants and, initially at least, a purple neck scarf, but standing deep out of the glare of the spotlight, Richards strums like its an art form - which, for him, it most certainly was.
New guitarist Ronnie Wood, wearing his one-piece red jumpsuit ensemble may well now look dated (and does!), but his guitar playing is also when had the crowd on their feet all those nights. He's electric, pardon the pun, and well worth the price of admission alone and when he sings dual vocals on the one mic with Jagger their chemistry, even this early, is obvious to see.
Going on to feature Stones classics such as ‘You Gotta Move, 'You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ Tumblin' Dice,' 'Angie,' 'Wild Horses,' and, of course, the powerhaus trio of 'Brown Sugar, ' 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and 'Sympathy for the Devil,' let's hope more bands take note and put out old shows as well! [BTW - The footage has been carefully restored and the sound has been newly mixed by Bob Clearmountain for this first official release of the show.] This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
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