MisterWhiplash I can't totally understand why the Rolling Stones were embarrassed by their performance here in their TV special Rock & Roll Circus. Sure, everything else you've heard about the Who outshining them is not far from the truth (it's definitely one of the Who's finest hours with Keith Moon). But they're no slackers here either (sans Brian Jones, who was on the decline and except for No Exceptions does nothing significant here with the band), and hearing them perform Jumpin Jack Flash and Parachutte Woman- the latter a fantastic blues tune from Beggars Banquet- is a fine delight from late 60s rock & roll. They also make sure to end the special on two high notes: Sympathy for the Devil makes for a powerful punch of music that rocks the socks off everyone in attendance and without Jagger's preening to the camera (only to the camera is it annoying, everything else is a given with him), it's one of the very best performances of that song, and there's a fine little ending with Salt of the Earth. It's nothing to be ashamed of on their end.Then again, the acts that surround them both outshine and lack the punch of their performances, so maybe at the time of their heights (and the sentimental factor of Brian Jones's departure and death from the band soon after) contributed to the decision to keep it from the public. As mentioned, the Who are in the great 'maximum R&B' tradition with A Quick One (While He's Away), which has as thunderous momentum matched with a wicked sense of humor. Other notable acts are Jethro Tull (featuring a slightly dazed Tony Iommi on guitar), Taj Mahal (a musician I never heard before but was blown away by), and a one-night-only type of grouping with Lennon, Clapton, Richards and Mitch Mitchell doing Yer Blues, which actually comes very close to topping the Who's performance- it's that awesome a rendition of the song. The low-points, however, are like thorns on the side of the show, which are Marianne Faithful, who though very pretty sings like a pretty little goat, and the 2nd song by the Lennon group features one plus (violin) and one heavy minus (Yoko Ono's singing, which is like nails on a chalkboard). There's also the creepy sense that the audience looks like it's awaiting the 2nd coming, so to speak.But it's always a lot of fun, the circus acts look cool in a kitsch kind of way, and there's a truly lively spirit going through all the performances. It's far from perfect, but it's a lot better than I expected, and will have a good place in my collection.

rakett13 A great movie- featuring Jethro Tull (with Tony Iommi, later of Black Sabbath), The Who (who blow the roof off), Taj Mahal (with Jesse Ed Davis, guitar giant), Marianne Faithfull (who sings beautifully), The Dirty Mac, featuring John Lennon (vocal/rhythm guitar), Eric Clapton (lead guitar), Keith Richard(s) (bass), and Jimi Hendrix's drummer Mitch Mitchell. (Joined in their second number by Yoko Ono on vocals and Ivry Gitlis on violin.) Finally, the Stones. A great performance, the last featuring the band's founder, Brian Jones, who is, unfortunately, the only downer. He would die the next July, you can tell he was in the downward spiral.

James L. The bands:The Rolling Stones,the Dirty Mac,Jethro Tull,The Who,Taj Mahal,Marianne Faithfull,Yoko Ono accompanying The Dirty MacComments and Side-notes:Hosted by Stone's members dressed as ringleaders,it also has a circus-designed stage,set,costumes for the audience,and one or two circus acts,this is mostly a blues-rock festival;The dirty Mac was a band of music stars who were assembled exclusively for the concert and gave their one performance there;this concert was performed right after The Beatle's "The white album"was released and this was Lennon's first public Non-Beatle performance,the who and tull give fascinating performances but the material is'nt great ,Taj Mahal and the Dirty Mac are pretty good,Yoko is an embarrassment,Marianne does'nt fit in but the song is good but fluffy,The Stones give a varied,rousing ,classic,charismatic song cycle,culminating with a fantastic "Sympathy of the Devil".

bilbo-21 This is a great treat for any rock fan, with performances from Tull to Taj Mahal, and the once-in-a-lifetime combo of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and I think Charlie Watts on drums. All in one band. The finale is a phenomenal version of "Sympathy for the Devil". Great music, well-directed.