Customer Rating:  
Summary: The Beginning Of Their Peak Live Years
Comment: I've really enjoyed this film over the years and it's great to see it out on DVD with plenty of bonus material.
For me this was the beginning of their best live period with Mick Taylor now in the band. Late 60s/early 70s Stone rocked. This performance by them is quite raw, partly due to it being Taylor's first live appearance. Highlights include Love In Vain and the climax of Sympathy For The Devil (complete with African drummers).
This DVD releases come with lots of extras. The most interesting and relevant are 3 bonus tracks not originally featured in the film - Mercy Mercy, Stray Cat Blues and No Expectations. Unfortunately the latter two aren't complete.
I enjoyed this more than the Gimme Shelter movie mainly because of the vibe that surrounds the gig. This film still has the hippie ideal around it.
Maybe not essential viewing but if, like me, you love this period of the Stones then check it out!
8/10
Customer Rating:
Summary: 'The Stones In The Park' a little flawed but essential viewing
Comment: 'The Stones In The Park' film from 1969 has always been a firm favourite of mine despite the less than thrilling reviews it has received by the critics over the years. It's only really when compared with the 'Gimmie Shelter' soundtrack and the unreleased 'Ladies And Gentlemen ....' film that its shortcomings for me become most obvious. The Stones at this point had just recruited new member Mick Taylor who was making his debut with the band.
Generally, the band sound a little out of tune on a number of songs as they were perhaps a little rusty not having toured for for a while in addition to having their newest member making his first appearance. Actually Mick Taylor plays just fine for the most part.
While the Stones are not quite in their prime they do sound quite raw which seems an awful long way from their more polished and easily digestable sound of today. It's that raw energy that, for me, made the Stones special and it's also that reason why the Hyde Park show is infinitely superior to any concert footage released in later years.The eight songs which make up this film including 'Midnight Rambler', 'Satisfaction', 'I'm Free' and 'Sympathy For The Devil' are all highly enjoyable despite the fact that they would all improve no end by the time of the Stones U.S. tour towards the end of the year.
As any keen Stones fan knows the Hyde Park show was also turned into a tribute to Brian Jones who had died just two days earlier. Mick's reading from Shelley sounds rather quaint these days as does most of the rest of their performance (including Mick's dress). There was an aura and an authenticity about the Stones (and music in general those days) which was forever lost once corporate commercialism came into play in the eighties and consumerism became paramount.
In addition to the show there's brief interview footage with the band (although primarily Mick) and there are a few extras on this DVD version among which include the outtakes 'Mercy Mercy'.'Stray Cat Blues' and 'No Expectations' - all of which are perhaps not essential (despite some great slide guitar playing from Mick Taylor on the latter song).
All in all 'The Stones In The Park' may seem a little flawed but it's historic value is immense not just in terms of the Stones themselves but for musical/cultural history in general. For that i'd say it's an essential purchase.
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![The Rolling Stones - The Stones In The Park [1969]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ST58KYBZL._SL160_.jpg)
