This review of the Rolling Stones concert reprinted below appeared in The Other Paper, a weekly newspaper in Columbus, Ohio devoted mostly to entertainment and the bohemian lifestyle. This was one of the more upbeat reviews of the concert tour I have read. Other observers portrayed the Stones as overaged performers trying to recapture a long gone past. As a child of the 60s I prefer the rose colored glass commentary found below.








The Stones rocked - even when they screwed up
      Just when you think the Rolling Stones couldn't possibly get any better - they get even better.
      How incredibly awesomely good were the Stones Saturday night at Nationwide Arena? They put on the best show since their touring heyday of the 70s.
      The concert started off at fever pitch, the Stones opening with a version of "Brown Sugar" that was so tough you would've thought they were channeling the Clash.
       "She's So Cold," one of Keith Richard's most slyly rhythmic workouts, followed. Soon, one of the most underrated Stones rockers ever, "All Down the Line," came roaring out of Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, Richards and the assembled supporting cast of nine other backing mucicians.
       Ecstasy was mine - these beautiful old British lions were on.
       Shortly after their initial opening salvo, the Stones further blew minds with a brilliantly chosen cover of the semi obscure Otis Redding nugget "Mr. Pitiful" - a high energy, horn-dominated, humorous tale of romantic woe. It was completely unexpected, as was Redding's picture gigantically featured on the screen behind the stage.
      As the show progressed - including plenty of new songs from A Bigger Bang - the band simply did not flag. Jagger's voice carried virtually all the strength and affectation it ever did, and his physical performance was non-stop movement. The aerobic Jagger has clearly entered his 60s with his stamina intact.
      Richards, increasingly resembling a gnarled, half-eaten apple core, riffed with ragged grace and cool fire. His rhythm guitar playing, revolutionary in itself by applying old blues tunings to R&B with rock'n'roll energy, merged and bumped with Wood's fills and rhythmic taglines.
      Drummer Charlie Watts, the potential weak link, showed no ill effects from his recent bout with cancer. Indeed he followed Jagger and Richards with as much cohesion as the Air Force's Blue Angels in formation. How does this band do it?
       Not only have they not gathered any moss, The Stones are so skinny that all of their butts together wouldn't fill a shot glass. It's strange how healthy decadent living has been for them.
      Besides mounting a magnificent and consistent surge of hits, new songs and surprise covers, The Stones added a whole new kink to the art of arena rock: The center of the main stage lifted up a foot, then moved forward to the other end of the hall on tracks while the band kept playing. The effect was very cool.
      An interesting thing happened on this now miniature mobile stage. The band went astray during "Shattered," stranding Jagger on a verse as the rest of the Stones moved into the chorus. What the audience then saw was Jagger, the world's greatest showman, continue to hold the audience while he struggled as a bandleader - eventually cueing everything to jump in on the final chorus before the ending. It was a bloody marvelous display of musical leadership and showmanship.
       About two-thirds of the way through the show, Jagger said, "Columbus, you've been wonderful tonight. And I don't say that to all the girls." He was spot on. The raw but well-behaved enthusiasm of the crowd matched the band's vitality.
      The Stones have all the riches, fame, and accolades. They don't care what you think of them - they just want your love. When Jagger strode out on the catwalk for the encore of "You can't always get What You Want" and led the crowd in as brief sing-along, his face exuded a warmth and joy I've never seen before. It was obvious the night was as special to the Stones as it was to us fans.

- John Petric