"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

Mick Jagger - "The Roaring 20's - Mick Jagger's Glory Years" DVD

This feature-length documentary examines the charismatic Rolling Stones frontman's earliest years with the band, including plenty of photos and film clips. Jagger's early years (from the 60's and early 70's) were his wildest and most impressive, as he morphed from mild-mannered schoolboy to swaggering rock adonis, providing the antithesis of the Beatles' cleaner, more wholesome image. It was in this era that Jagger became a template for future generations of rock singers. To this day, he is a symbol of rock excess and sexual abandon. Props to the man.

As is the usual with these unauthorized UK rock bios, "The Roaring 20's" interviews several Jagger associates (but not the man himself) and the usual array of journalists and writers. I say well done, and this is a worthy addition to any serious Rolling Stones fan's collection. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)