Most people who watch "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus," a TV program that the Stones put together for the BBC in December '68--but that was never aired--will likely be struck by the same thought: How could this remarkable show fail to have been shown back when? The program turns out to be a godsend for fans of '60s rock, featuring as it does not only "The World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band," but also Jethro Tull, The Who, Marianne Faithful, Taj Mahal and a band called Dirty Mac, interspersed, under the big top, with some amusing circus acts, and observed by a small but enthusiastic audience in whimsical regalia. All the performers are in top form here, but the highlights for me were Jethro Tull, here with future Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi filling in for the recently departed Mick Abrahams, and the two songs performed by the Dirty Mac. This was a one-shot supergroup consisting of Mitch Mitchell on drums and Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and John Lennon on guitars! The version of the Fab Four's "Yer Blues" that they dish out here is just awesome, and when Yoko Ono hits the stage to caterwaul on the instrumental blues romp "Whole Lotta Yoko"...well, just hold on to your eardrums! This program, fittingly, belongs to the Stones, however, and the six tunes that the boys give us are just terrific, especially that "Sympathy for the Devil," during which Mick Jagger gets to prove again that he really is rock's best frontman. Whotta high-energy display; no wonder John Lennon can be seen boogying his pies off in the audience! Bottom line: If you're a fan of any of the artists mentioned above, this DVD is for you!

Filmed live in 1968 as an intended television special but kept from the public eye due to the Rolling Stones' own dissatisfaction with their performance over a span of two nights, "Rock N' Roll Circus" showcases the Stones at the height of their game. Although I admit they have performed better in terms of musical companionship and melody, there is no denying the amount of energy they exude here.The standout for me is the reggae-infused "Sympathy for the Devil" which sounds like the drunken plea of society's virus. The original came across as a taunt, and this rendition of the song is helpless and a desperate outcry - in a good way, of course.Mick Jagger's vocals have been better and his voice is a bit off - I guess the guys were totally wasted and stoned out of their minds around this time. But watching them on stage, it's hard to deny they were one of the great rock n' roll bands. They're really not given enough credit for their fusion of blues and mainstream rock - at the time of their emergence, a lot of critics compared them to The Beatles - a comparison both understandable and equally unfair. They did write a few Britpop songs early on, but they always had a bluesy edge that the Beatles - despite their superiority in musical influence and range - never had.If you're into the Stones, this is a must-see. If you're *really* into the Stones, it's probably a must-own. And if you aren't into the Stones at all, I'd recommend starting off with their double-album Forty Licks (a Greatest Hits compilation).

The Rolling Stones Circus is amazing. You can tell the party that was going on in the background, because it is so full of energy. From the start, all of these terrific musicians lined up in crazy clothing, walking around with instruments, to the last "goodnightly song", with a whole audience and all the musicians swaying back and forth, it is terrific. I can hardly even pinpoint the best performances. The Who's is definitely up there. The performance is great musically as well as in terms of the overall thing--basically everyone (besides Entwistle) going wild. The Dirty Mac is really interesting as well, to see this medley of famous people playing with each other--not in their own respective groups. I didn't originally buy this because of the Rolling Stones, more for John Lennon, the Who and the basic idea. But seeing and hearing them got me to listen to several of their albums...Pete Townsend is right about Mick Jaggers energy...he certainly keeps it alive at 2am in the morning after 2 days of insanity. Basically, this is just a beautiful and amazing show. Something like it could never happen again for many reasons, but at least we can watch it. It's so alive and crazy, and though I wouldn't really know, I like to think that it does sum up part of an era. A great one at that. Wish I could have been in the audience...

On 11 December 1968, The Rolling Stones presented two concerts on a stage of a circus, with the presence of great bands. About twenty-eight years later, the show was released on VHS and CD in USA, and I bought both of them. On January 2003, this concert was finally released in Brazil on DVD. It was a time-travel to a magnificent concert and today I have seen it again. The opening, with Jethro Tull playing one of their best songs, 'Song for Jeffrey', from the successful album 'Living in the Past', is amazing. A very simple band, composed by Glen Cornic (Bass, Harmonica), Mick Abrahams (Guitar), Clive Bunker (magnificently playing a very small drums for the standards of the present days) and highlighting Ian Anderson in the lead vocal and flute in a wonderful performance. The Who (Pete Townsend, Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon and John Entwhistle), Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithful, Dirty Mac (John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell) and The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts) are also excellent. The unique weak part of the whole concert is Yoko Ono screaming like a jay in 'Whole Lotta Yoko'. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): 'Rock and Roll Circus'