The Rolling Stones at Philips Arena
By Nick Marino | Sunday, October 16, 2005, 12:44 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Just before Saturday night’s sold-out Rolling Stones concert at Philips Arena, reviewers were given special Stones notepads and glow-in-the-dark Stones pens. The pens only let you write positive comments, one reviewer was told.

This turned out to be true. Every time a critic reached for a negative remark, the pen magically transformed the unflattering description into a note of praise, placed in capital letters for extra impact.

Anyway, about the show: Looking as YOUNG as ever, the Rolling Stones played a two hour set led by their HUMBLE leader, Mick Jagger, who took the stage wearing a gold sequined jacket and the tight black pants he was born in.

Much has been written about the Stones combined age, which is approaching 250, but at this point the more interesting statistic is their combined weight. Saturday night, none of these stick figure rock stars — not Jagger, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood or PICTURE OF HEALTH Keith Richards — looked like they could withstand the proverbial stiff breeze.

But they did stand their ground to rock, give them credit for that. They rocked long and, occasionally, hard. The hardest rocking stuff included the apocalyptic “Paint It Black” and a new song, “Oh No, Not You Again.” Softer rocking included “Wild Horses” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

The Brits did not play their much-discussed protest song “Sweet Neo Con.” By now, it seems clear that “Neo Con” was nothing more than a COMPLETELY SINCERE SONG OF CONCERN THAT JUST HAPPENED TO DRUM UP ATTENTION ON THE VERGE OF A MAJOR CONCERT TOUR.

They did, however, pay homage to a Georgian by covering Otis Redding’s “Mr. Pitiful.” It was kind of a sloppy cover, actually, BUT THEY GET POINTS FOR TRYING. The Stones took time out elsewhere to mention our fair state. Jagger introduced keyboardist Chuck Leavell as Macon’s own. He also took time to give somewhat awkward BUT THOUGHTFUL shout-outs to Augusta and Marietta.

Richards, at the onset of leading a bizarre BUT ENDEARING mini-set, actually seemed to say that it was good to be home, then muttered something about “It’s as good as anywhere.” Then he said, “OK, Dixie, this is called ‘The Worst,’” and he proceeded to BEAUTIFULLY croon.

Jagger moves incredibly well for a man of any age, but his voice GAINS CHARACTER from his DISTINCTIVELY BRITISH pronunciations. In his mouth, “thank you” sounded like “thagew” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”” came out “Juppy Jag Flask.’”

In the end, though, “Satisfaction” came out nice and clear. The riff is indelible, and the song’s sturdy structure made is strong enough to withstand the pounding, house-rocking arrangement that the band used to finish up the show, complete with a confetti burst.

After all these years, it’s amazing that the Rolling Stones can play this song without sounding like a karaoke act. (THAT’S WHY THEY’RE THE WORLD’S GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND.)

The show was great. I don't know who this reviewer was trying to impress. He's more concerned with the between song chatter than with the music. The review goes in circles and doesn't make much sense until the last line.

sounds like a good review to me.

john scialfa

Here's my review, it was a f#cking great show and the bands on fire! If you live in Florida they will kick your butts this week. Get ready!!!