"Mick Vs. Keith: The Strange Case of Jagger & Richards" 2xDVD

From the British kings of unauthorized bios, Chrome Dreams, comes this double-set of DVDs examining both of the Rolling Stones' guiding lights. And, as often is the case with these sets, it's a disguised reissuing of two older titles, simply packaged into a new slipcase. Shamefully, nowhere on the packaging does it mention the titles included within. So many serious fans will feel that they've been duped. And they have!

The first disc is "The Roaring 20s - Mick Jagger's Glory Years", which I have already reviewed here:

Mick Jagger DVD review on Goatsden

The second DVD is "Keith Richards - Under Review", which is a 2-hour documentary from 2007 that examines the charismatic Rolling Stones guitarist and madman, from his early years to his appearance with Johnny Depp in "Pirates Of The Caribbean". I won't fault the content, as it's a concise and well-studied look at the man at his heights and lulls. 

Still, I expect some semblance of accountability with Chrome Dreams' deceptive marketing. I mean, packaging a pair of older titles together at a discount is fine, as long as fans realize what they're buying. Shame on you, Chrome Dreams. 

As a caveat, this set is quite a fine set for Stones collectors. Just beware.

(Chrome Dreams)

Rolling Stones - "Under Review 1975-1983 - The Ronnie Wood Years (Pt. 1)" DVD

A proper summation of the career of the Rolling Stones would take many hours and probably an exhaustive 10-hour mini-series. So, Chrome Dreams/Sexy Intellectual have done a great job focusing on specific periods in the band's storied career. 

"Under Review 1975-1983" covers a period when the Stones enlisted guitarist Ronnie Wood (from the Faces), and found themselves at odds with a changing music scene. From dabblings in funk, disco, and proto-punk, the Stones managed to hit rock bottom, and the very public drug problems of Keith Richards didn't do any wonders for the band's flagging image, either. 

These topics and more are covered, and as with this label's other releases, we get numerous interviews with journalists, writers, biographies, and collaborators. As well, there are tons of archival live videos and photos to illustrate the life and times of one of rock's most respected and oft-imitated groups. Well-done, and a must-see for serious Stones fans. (Sexy Intellectual/Chrome Dreams)

Rolling Stones official site

Lee "Scratch" Perry - "Revelation" CD

Lee Perry is an institution in the world of dub/reggae. His illustrious history encompasses hundreds of recordings dating back over 40 years, and he's still as active now as ever, having celebrated his 74th birthday this year!

That aside, "Revelation" is a 13-song collection of supreme grooves and top-grade Jamaican-style dub, with no concessions for modern dancehall or radio fodder. This is pure, uncut, prime dub, with Perry's modern-day shamanic vocals atop beds of adept programming and seamless live instrumentation. He even brings aboard George Clinton for a vocal take and Keith Richards for a guitar lick, so Perry definitely keeps some impressive company. Tracks like the rollicking "Fire Power" or "Money Come And Money Go" prove that Perry's infectious music is both catchy and profound, straddling the line between spiritual journey and booty-shaking experience. Forget the wannabes, "Revelation" is the real thing. (Megawave via MVD Audio)

Lee 'Scratch' Perryspace

Upsetter - A Comprehensive Fan Page

Tom Waits - "Under The Influence" DVD

These unauthorized critical examinations are really well-done, but generally essential only to the already-devoted fan. This is no exception. Waits, it needn't be said, is an enigma, and an American songwriting legend at this point. His music is instantly identifiable, from his gruff froggy vocals to his ramshackle, old-time vaudeville vagabond beat-poet persona. "Under The Influence" tackles exactly what inspired Waits through the years, and through the eyes of his collaborators and journalists, we see some of the jumping-off points that led Waits to forsake "pop culture" and embrace a timeless, historical context within his music and art. Beginning with the beat poets (especially Jack Kerouac), we get portraits of writers like Charles Bukowski and Ken Nordine, and musicians like Captain Beefheart, the Rolling Stones (chiefly friend and collaborator Keith Richards), avante-composer Harry Partch, and European songwriters Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht. Waits' widely-disparate influences make sense, and this DVD does a fine job examining, and proving these inspirations to be likely truths. That's not to say that Waits has emulated any of these composers too greatly, as his vision and personality are uniquely his own. Well worth a look to any Waits collector, but if you don't consider yourself already interested in the man's impressive body of work, this won't convince you. (Chrome Dreams via MVD Visual)