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The biggest surprises include the swinging
blues of“ Melody” from the 1976 album Black and Blue, propelled by Darryl Jones’ loping bass line and spiked by Michael Davis’ hot trombone solo. The portrait of a femme fatale had been performed only once when supporting the album in 1977, and it hasn’ t been performed since this 1999 outing. Also included is the Stones’ only performance to date of“ Moon is Up” from 1994’ s Voodoo Lounge, launched by Keith Richards’ watery guitar lick and punctuated by Mick Jagger’ s harmonica.“ I
of surefire crowd-pleasers as“ Tumbling Dice” and saxophonist Bobby Keys’ showcase“ Brown Sugar” conclude the main set. Both songs make ample use of background singers Bernard Fowler, Blondie Champlin, and Lisa Fischer. The Rolling Stones return for an encore and rip through a snarling version of“ Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” While Jagger works the crowd one last time, Richards leans into the familiar guitar riffs and makes them sound dangerous.
This digipak set includes the Welcome to Shepherd’ s Bush concert film on Blu-ray and includes an audio version of the full 18- song performance across two CDs. Also available are a version featuring a 4K UHD video and an Atmos sound mix, as well as standalone CD and vinyl LP options.
– Jeff Elbel
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Got the Blues” from 1971’ s Sticky Fingers is another hidden gem introduced by Jagger as“ a soul thing like Otis Redding used to do.”“ This is very slow, so we have to slow ourselves down mentally to get into the groove for this one,” he says. The band seems energized by the return to their old stomping grounds.“ Welcome to Shepherd’ s Bush,” says Jagger soon after the show begins.“ I’ ve been waiting to say that for a little bit.” The singer cheekily welcomes old friends, new friends, wives, and ex-wives in attendance.“ And that’ s just Charlie,” he quips, igniting a chant of beloved drummer Charlie Watts’ name from the audience. Richards adds a similar sentiment before leading the rootsy“ You Got the Silver.”“ It’ s good to be home, I’ m telling you now,” he says. Agitated Some Girls single“ Shattered” makes its second and final appearance for the year, as does Exile on Main Street’ s rowdy“ All Down the Line.” The latter song features Ronnie Wood’ s woozy slide guitar solo, Chuck Leavell’ s sparkling piano, and a bristling brass section. Voodoo Lounge single“ Brand New Car” receives its only outing for 1999, as Wood’ s wah-wah guitar spars with Richards’ Chuck Berry-styled guitar lines. In close proximity to the band, the audience can be heard singing along to“ It’ s Only Rock‘ n’ Roll( But I like It),” trading space with Richards’ rollicking riffs. Jagger coaxes the crowd into further action for the then-recent single“ Saint of Me” from 1997’ s Bridges to Babylon. The singer duets with guest Sheryl Crow( dubbed“ Sheryl the Peril” by Jagger) while Watts anchors the hip-swaying beat to“ Honky Tonk Women.” The show winds up with a string
VINTAGE BLONDE Afterlife( VBC)
Chicago’ s Vintage Blonde blueprints their punk and rock originals from womenpowered vintage bands like The Slits and The Blackhearts to L7. Rough around the edges at times, they make up the difference with earnestness and passion. Afterlife is especially notable as it was one of Steve Albini’ s last engineered projects at Electrical Audio before his untimely and tragic passing. In true Albini audio style,“ the band worked with him to capture a live, raw, authentic performance sound … using analog tape and limited overdubs” via their press kit. Afterlife’ s best moments come on their two recent singles.“ Alien Message” is a bluesy tongue-in-cheek rocker any X-Files will appreciate, with some deft rhythmic guitar work from Kim Swinton. Unlike some of their punk influences,“ Hurricane” shows VB ' s ability to harmonize skillfully beneath an anthemic and apocalyptic pro-climate message. Appearing May 4 at Schubas, Chicago.
– David Gedge
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18 illinoisentertainer. com april 2025