When the Rolling Stones reconvened after a five-year hiatus in 1989, the tours became more elaborate, bigger and frequent, as the band, the crew, the whole production became a well-oiled machine with little to no chance of derailment. After successfully mounting the Steel Wheels extravaganza, on the back of the rather sanctimonious Steel Wheels album, the Stones returned in 1994 with a mega stadium run behind Voodoo Lounge, arguably a much better album. The tour, their first without bassist Bill Wyman, would go on to become their highest grossing trek until they overtook it in 2005. Three months in, the Stones decided to share their appearance at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida, on November 25, 1994, via a pay-per-view broadcast on cable. Twenty-four years later, they’re sharing the same show, entitled Voodoo Lounge Uncut, as a DVD or Blu-ray Disc with two CDs, a triple vinyl set, digital video, digital audio, HD digital audio, and, for a limited time, an exclusive red vinyl triple album.
By the time this gig rolled up to Miami, the Stones were on fire, and this set, whichever way you’re seeing and/or hearing it, captures the band in full swing and command. A grand opening featuring a fire-breathing cobra and an epic “Not Fade Away” pretty much put everyone on foot patrol. Guest appearances from Sheryl Crow (who duets with Mick Jagger on “Live With Me”), Robert Cray (playing guitar and singing on “Stop Breakin’ Down Blues”), and Bo Diddley (singing and keeping the rhythm on his signature rectangular-sized Gretsch) only enhance the Stones’ chops.
Along with obligatory staples like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It),” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” the Stones pull up four numbers from Voodoo Lounge – “You Got Me Rocking,” “Sparks Will Fly,” “I Go Wild,” and “The Worst.” Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood, all on guitar, along with bassist Daryl Jones, meld into a singular force on the climax of “I Go Wild.” Richards later steps up for the self-confessional and striking “The Worst,” after taking charge through a raucous crack at “Before They Make Me Run.”
After 40 minutes or so, the Stones – Jagger, Richards, Wood, drummer Charlie Watts – are joined by Jones and keyboardist Chuck Leavell on a smaller stage for “a little acoustic set” of “Angie,” “Dead Flowers,” and “Sweet Virginia.” Later, Jagger embodies a demonic persona on “Sympathy For The Devil” and roams the runaway during “Monkey Man.” It all happens before the band finishes out the night with a triple threat of “It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It), “Brown Sugar,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” The set includes five more performances from a show at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Lively hops through “Shattered” and “All Down The Line” most certainly provide Voodoo Lounge Uncut with an extra kick. Once it’s all done and over with, you’ll be yearning for that rumored 2019 world tour even more.
~ Shawn Perry
