Concert Review: The Rolling Stones @ Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

The Rolling Stones
June 27, 2015
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

They bill themselves as “The Worlds’ Greatest Rock and Roll Band,” and last Saturday night the Rolling Stones more then lived up to that title as they entertained more than 50,000 people at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on their 15-city “Zip Code” tour.

Opening the show with “Start Me Up,” the band instantly brought the crowd to their feet. Not sure if it was for the song itself of the fact that every Chief kick-off begins with that song during football season. The next two hours were filled with hit after hit. In fact, with the exception of the song “Doom and Gloom,” from the new 50th Anniversary Compilation Album entitled “GRRR!,” the band played nothing but hits.

As in other cities on the tour, the Stones took on-line requests for this show, with the winning song being “Street Fighting Man.” Lead singer Mick Jagger was in great voice. I’ve seen every US tour since the 1981 “Tatoo You” tour, and Jagger sounded as strong on Saturday as he did three decades ago. Musically the band was as tight as ever, with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood trading guitar licks, while Wood chain-smoked the entire show. Richards was also in top form vocally, taking the lead on “Before They Make Me Run” and “Happy.” Drummer Charlie Watts kept the beat going and bassist Daryl Jones, who has been playing with the band since Bill Wyman retired in 1993, laid down great line after line.

See the photo below? I’ve always said that if I was abducted by aliens and they asked me what rock and roll was that I would just show them this photo. If they don’t understand it from then they never will!

SET LIST: Start Me Up, It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It), Tumbling Dice, Doom and Gloom, Beast of Burden, Kansas City, Bitch, Wild Horses, Street Fighting Man, Honky Tonk Woman, Before They Make Me Run, Happy, Midnight Rambler, Miss You, Gimme Shelter, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Sympathy for the Devil, Brown Sugar. ENCORE: You Can’t Always Get What You Want, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: arrowhead, city, concert, kansas, missouri, review, ...

DVD Review “Quentin Tarantino’s Rolling Thunder Pictures Triple Feature”

Actors: Evelyne Kraft, Alex Rocco, Hari Rhodes, Asher Brauner, Kitty Bruce
Directors: Ho Meng-hua, Arthur Marks, Jack Hill
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Release Date: April 16, 2013
Run Time: 287 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When Tarantino and Miramax started Rolling Thunder Pictures back in 1995, it was a label that was meant to release lost gems and fan favorites that haven’t seen the light of day in a long time, generally cult classics. This triple feature DVD release showcases Tarantino favorites from the label including “Detroit 9000 (1973)”, “The Mighty Peking Man (1977)” and “Switchblade Sisters (1975)”. These films are classic exploitation flicks and should be a must see for all fans of that genre. I really had a blast revisiting these titles and I am sure you will too, whether you are watching for the fifth time or the very first time!!

Like Tarantino himself, one of my first jobs was working at a mom and pop video store. It was one of my favorite jobs that I have ever had and I even met my wife working there. I remember when these films were re-released on VHS, that’s right VHS, under this label. I was responsible for ordering at the video store and I was sure to stock up on these three titles when they were re-released back then. This DVD is a nice way to own these three cult classics again and you really can’t describe it better than it is on the box “See the Action! Feel the Passion!” No-brainer for any fan of exploitation films.

“Detroit 9000” Official Premise: Jam-packed with nonstop action, sexy distractions and funky music, this hip crime story follows two Detroit cops, whose pursuit of a dangerous gang responsible for a high-society heist ignites a powder keg of corruption and violence!

“The Mighty Peking Man” Official Premise: Treat yourself to one of the funniest and campiest movies ever made: The Mighty Peking Man! After a colossal ape-like creature is captured in the jungle and brought to civilization – along with the scantily clad blonde bombshell he protects – the fearsome beast breaks loose and goes looking for giant-size payback!

“Switchblade Sisters” Official Premise: A riotously entertaining mix of sex, jealousy and massive firepower, Jack Hill’s Switchblade Sisters is the action-packed story of the toughest gang of teenage girls to ever hit the streets – the Dagger Debs. Bad to the bone, these outrageous high school vixens go where they want…and create mayhem wherever they go!

Even though I would have loved to see this triple feature released on Blu-ray instead of DVD.  The transfers are still good…or at least good enough since they still have that grindhouse gritty feel. All three of the film are presented in 16×9 Widescreen with various aspect ratios. “The Mighty Peking Man” is presented with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with a Dolby Digital 2.0 track, which is the most impressive on the release. “Detroit 9000” is presented with an aspect ratio 1.78:1 with a Dolby Digital Mono track. Lastly, “Switchblade Sisters” is presented with an aspect ratio also with a Dolby Digital Mono track.  There are no additional special features included on this release besides the films themselves. Would have loved to seen some 42nd street style trailer included for these titles at least.

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Vinyl Review “The Rolling Stones: Some Girls – Live In Texas”

The Rolling Stones
“Some Girls – Live In Texas”
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Number of Discs: 3
Label: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

If you are a fan of The Rolling Stones, then you already know   and love “Some Girls – Live in Texas” from ’78.  It is one of the best live shows from the band. This release is getting the rare vinyl treatment thanks to Eagle Rock Entertainment. The vinyl set contains 180g vinyls in a three-panel gatefold sleeve. The audio sounds truly amazing and really allows fans to go back in time and experience these songs the way that they were meant to be heard.  ’78 was also the highlight of The Stones and delivers some of their best tracks.

“Some Girls: Live In Texas” originally took place at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas on July 18, 1978. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman perform the tracks live just as good as they do on the album.  Even though this is a new vinyl release, it sounds like it pressed back in the day.  The sound is superb and really sharp.  It is polished but still holds the charm that makes vinyls still relevant. Some of the Stones classics tracks are showcased on these vinyls including, “Beast Of Burden”, “Brown Sugar” and “Jumpin Jack Flash”. If you are looking for the live recording of this concert, it was also recently released by Eagle Rock on DVD and Blu-ray. If you are a classic days Stones fans or someone just discovering them, this vinyl will make you an instant fan.

TRACK LISTING:
Side A: 1) Let It Rock 2) All Down The Line 3) Honky Tonk Women 4) Star Star 5) When The Whip Comes Down
Side B: 1) Beast Of Burden 2) Miss You 3) Imagination 4) Shattered
Side C: 1) Respectable 2) Far Away Eyes 3) Love In Vain 4) Tumbling Dice
Side D: 1) Happy 2) Sweet Little Sixteen 3) Brown Sugar 4) Jumpin Jack Flash

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Filed Under: CD Reviews Tagged With: girls, live, review, rolling, stones, texas, ...

Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshows Hit Kansas City!


One of my favorite movie moments ever occurred in the summer of 2006. In Dyersville, Iowa, on the same corn surrounded baseball field used in the film, I sat with 3,000 other fans and watched “Field of Dreams” outdoors on the big screen, part of that summers Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow. As fall approaches, the new Alamo Drafthouse in Kansas City is sponsoring four different outdoor screenings. Imagine watching one of your favorite films under the stars. Now add the bonus fun

Alamo provides with it’s pre-show activities and contests and you’ve got a night to remember. Here is a schedule of the films slated to screen in the next few weeks:

September 14, 2012

Title: PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE
Location: City Market Park
20 E. 5th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106

Time: Gates open at 7:00PM / Movie at 8:00PM

For the young, and the young at heart, the Alamo Drafthouse presents “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.” When his beloved Schwinn bicycle is stolen, Pee Wee sets out on a zany cross-country journey to get it back. Come early and get in on the pre-screening fun by competing in the Pee Wee Dance Off before the film.

Facebook Event Page

September 15, 2012

Title: SPIRITED AWAY
Location: City Market Park
20 E. 5th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106

Time: Gates open at 7:00PM / Movie at 8:00PM

The Alamo Drafthouse invites you to a beautifully animated, yet mind boggling visual experience, as it presents “Spirited Away.” This Japanese anime cartoon captured the imagination of adults and children alike on it’s way to becoming a critically-acclaimed worldwide box office hit. We’ll re-create one of the film’s memorable moments when we invite audience members to compete in our noodle eating contest prior to the film. Come early and bring a big appetite for fun!

Facebook Event Page

October 12, 2012

Title: PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES
Location: National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial (North Lawn)
100 W. 26th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Time: Gates open at 6:00PM / Movie at 7:00PM

The Alamo is ready to tickle your funny bone as it presents the 1987 comedy classic “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” This powerhouse comedy about two strangers who share a three-day odyssey of road trip misadventures will have you laughing ’til it hurts. Especially when you realize, “Those aren’t pillows!” Well these actually are – if you compete in our pre-show pillow fight!

Facebook Event Page

October 13, 2012

Title: JURASSIC PARK
Location: National WWI Museum at Liberty Memorial (North Lawn)
100 W. 26th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Time: Gates open at 6:00PM / Movie at 7:00PM

The Rolling Roadshow series wraps up with a pre-historic crowd pleaser as Alamo Drafthouse presents “Jurassic Park.” What could possibly go wrong at a theme park with real life cloned dinosaurs? Luckily for us, we get to find out! Come out for dinosaurs running amok and trying to take a bite out of everything and everyone in sight. You can take a bite out of the action by joining the Carnivore/Herbivore Eating Contest before the movie!

Facebook Event Page

To view the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow promo video click here:

 

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: alamo, city, drafthouse, hit, kansas, roadshows, ...

Blu-ray Review “The Rolling Stones: Some Girls – Live in Texas ’78”

Starring: The Rolling Stones
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
Running time 105 minutes

Overall Score: 4 out of 5 stars

I remember listening to the cassette of “Some Girls” with my uncle back in the late 80’s. It is definitely considered by fans to be one of The Rolling Stones’ very best. This concert was the bands 1978 tour to support the album and it was the time when the album had hit the #1 spot on the US charts. The concert was filmed at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 18th, 1978. The concert was really featured the band focusing on their music with little or no focus on its staging, though The Rolling Stones still deliver a very energetic performance.

The Blu-ray release for this concert is really clear and crisp. The footage was originally shot on 16mm film and has been restored, remixed and remastered by Bob Clearmountain from the original tapes. The sound is very clear and definitely sounds great on the Blu-ray. The movie features many classics including “Honky Tonk Woman”, “Tumbling Dice”, “Brown Sugar”, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Miss You” and “Beast of Burden”. If you are fan of the Stones, this is definitely a no-brainer and a great opportunity to see the band its prime peak.

There are tons of great bonus features included on this release as well. There is a newly filmed interview with Mick Jagger, which is very fun. There is a great sketch from Saturday Night Live, October 1978, featuring Dan Aykroyd as Tom Snyder interviewing Mick Jagger. It is very funny and a fantastic feature. Also included from Saturday Night Live and introduced by Laraine Newman is “Shattered”, “Respectable” and “Beast Of Burden”. There are excerpts from a ABC 20/20 Special, introduced by Hugh Downs with interviews by Geraldo Rivera from June 1978/ This includes interviews with Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Bill. Lastly there is another interview with Mick from Aug 2011 conducted in France. The interview runs about 15 minutes and honestly, I could listen to Mick talk for hours. Great features overall for a great release. Congrats Eagle Rock Entertainment for delivering again.

Track Listing:
1) Let It Rock
2) All Down The Line
3) Honky Tonk Women
4) Star Star
5) When The Whip Comes Down
6) Beast Of Burden
7) Miss You
8) Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
9) Shattered
10) Respectable
11) Far Away Eyes
12) Love In Vain
13) Tumbling Dice
14) Happy
15) Sweet Little Sixteen
16) Brown Sugar
17) Jumpin Jack Flash

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 78, bluray, girls, live, review, rolling, ...
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