Recently, while perusing the Internet instead of doing something productive like say… rearing my child, I came across an interesting article that put me face to face with my own mortality.  The article was about how the kids who are now entering high school have never known a world without home computers, digital music or the Internet.  The next group will probably never even know what a stamp is. 

As I looked at the smiling faces in the picture next to that article, I thought back to this DVD I had just received in the mail.  Instantly I thought, “I’ll bet most of them have no idea what The Rolling Stones did for popular music.”

Now, that may seem like a trivial thing to think about.  I mean, the article I read was talking about major innovations in technology, but I’ll also bet you dollars to donuts* that most of these kids at one time or another have listened to popular music in the last five years.  In doing so, they probably heard at least one song that was directly influenced by The Rolling Stones.  Whether it’s Toby Keith, Christina Aguilara or My Chemical Romance, they all owe The Stones in some way.   

It was actually my hope that I would throw in The Rolling Stones:  Under Review 1962 – 1966 and find the perfect introductory documentary to give to an uninitiated youngster.  After all, my daughter will be four in October and while she is already a fan of The Ramones, They Might Be Giants and Cibbo Matto, she doesn’t know where they fit into the lexicon of Rock History. 

Don’t worry, we’ll have that discussion soon enough.

Unfortunately, The Rolling Stones: Under Review 1962 – 1966 is not that DVD but it is perfect for casual fans who already knows The Stones biggest hits but don‘t know much about their rise to fame.

The Rolling Stones:  Under Review 1962 – 1966 chronicles the band’s first great influential period by examining each single and album released in that time.  From their first recorded cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On” to their first full-length album of original material (the seminal Aftermath)every record is covered and itsimportance within in the Stones’ catalogue examined.

When I sit down with my daughter to have what will arguably be the most important discussion we have prior to the one about her keeping off the pole, I plan on opening with the following:

“Imagine what it would be like if every song you heard on the radio was produced by The Disney Corporation.  That’s what popular music was like prior to The Rolling Stones.”

It’s true.  The Beatles weren’t dangerous.  They were cute and cuddly.  They were playing songs like “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” and dressing in matching suits.  The girls were absolutely losing their minds but these were boys their mother didn’t mind them fawning over.  The Rolling Stones were the exact opposite. 

First off, their initial releases were covers of songs released by American black artists.  This was pure Rhythm and Blues and it was, as Nigel Williamson of Uncut Magazine puts it, “downright disgusting and nasty if you knew the code”.  The lyrics were about sex, drugs, even murder.  Beyond the words, the rhythm of the music itself was suggestive (listen to “Little Red Rooster” if you don’t believe me).  To top it all off, The Rolling Stones never hid the fact that they were bad boys.  They cultivated the image.  They spoke frankly and openly about drug use and sex.  Not exactly the thing your mother wanted you to hear about in the early 1960’s. 

The Rolling Stones pissed off parents and tantalized teens.  All of this is discussed in The Rolling Stones: Under Review 1962 – 1966.  Some of the best analysis and interesting anecdotes come from journalists and friends of the band.  The Stones bodyguard and driver, Tom Keylock, is particularly entertaining.  His accent is a bit thick but bear with it and you’ll hear some great stories about Keith Richards… how he wanted to kick Bob Dylan’s ass… how the first few rows of seats at the early Stones shows were wet from girls pissing themselves from excitement. You get the idea.

Other interviews are with friends of the band and even some of the former members.  One time New Music Express editor Keith Altham gives great insight into the fresh sounds he was hearing.  Altham was part of the inner circle and got to hear many singles before they were ever released.  Dick Taylor, probably the second most unlucky man in the world right after Pete Best, discusses his early involvement as the Stones original bass player and seems completely at peace with his decision to leave the band before they ever cut a record. 

The only annoying person in the documentary is Alan Clayson, an author and musician who is currently writing and releasing books on each individual member of the band.  His mannerisms and vocal tics reminded me of ex-Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren but with the pompousness of Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.  Still, even he brings some good insight to the table. 

The talking head segments (there are many) are broken up with stills and footage shot from various TV appearances, some of it extremely rare.  There are some hokey bits - especially the lip-synced performances - but the majority of it is great stuff.  If you aren’t mesmerized by the live performance of “Little Red Rooster” on this disc, then you’re not human. 

The years covered include some of The Rolling Stones’ most well known songs including “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “19th Nervous Breakdown” and “Paint it Black”, ending right after the release of “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows”.  All told, it’s a mostly fascinating look at how five white Englishmen helped change the music world forever.

Presentation and Audio
This is a well-lit, well-filmed documentary.  The interview portions look nice and crisp, but who really watches something like this hoping the picture quality will be worthy of their new plasma TV?  As far as audio goes, it says it has a Stereo Sound Mix but most of the performances are in mono as expected.

Extras
There’s not much here in the way of bonus features.  There is a five-minute bonus segment featuring three additional stories about the band.  The best of these is from Keith Altham.  He describes riding in a limo with Brian Jones as fans hung onto the car.  Jones apparently asked the driver to speed up when the last fan wouldn’t let go.  He wanted to “see him bounce.”  Ahhh… rock star decadence…

Otherwise, there is a feature called The ‘Hardest Rolling Stones Digital Interactive Quiz in the World Ever’.  I’m no Rolling Stone expert but it’s pretty goddamn hard.  I got 10 out of 25 but I guessed every answer but one.

Finally, there are some biographies of the contributors that actually make for a fun, five minute read. 

The Bottom Line
The Rolling Stones: Under Review 1962 – 1966 is not for everyone.  It’s mostly for Rolling Stones fans that want to hear firsthand what the emergence of the band was like.  Casual fans will find it interesting but anyone who doesn’t own a Stones album will most likely find it boring overall.  For us music geeks, it’s a fun way to spend an hour and a half. 

*Yes, typing the phrase “dollars to donuts” also put me face to face with my own mortality.