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Concert Review The Rolling Stones at The Wells Fargo Center on June 18th
 
  by: JoeS - Springfield, PA
started: 06/20/13 7:07 pm | updated: 06/20/13 7:07 pm
 
The first night of the Rolling Stones Concert 50 & Counting at the Wells Fargo Center was from a fans point of view a superior experience. I talked with many fans before, during and after the concert and they were anticipating something special and they and I got it. The stage was a giant set of lips even bigger than Jagger's! The light and video show explosive while at times very nostalgic with clips of the boys when they were boys. The audience was shaded towards folks in their 40's , 50's and 60's with a lot of families with dad or mom bringing their teenage kids to see their rock idols. No one took their seats for the entire 2 plus hours, they danced, they sang , they clapped and most of all they and I just had a great time.

Is Mick Jagger the greatest front man ever? Well, he is in the top five of every list I could find and on all the lists he is in great company. However, if the criteria is style, looks, swagger, talent, showmanship,vocal skills, and energy he has to be number one, Who else has it all and has done it with great panache for 50 years? He did not disappoint at the Wells Fargo Center. He gave it all for ever minute of the show. He played to the crowd, got and kept them engaged. He had us in the palm of his hand. He looked, strutted and sounded as good as ever, which is great!

The Stones started their long relationship with Philly way back in May, 1965 at Convention Hall. They have done 5 stadium shows and multiple arena shows including the Tower Theater in 2002. I’ve seen them 4 times in very different times in their careers and think this show was as good as any with the exception of the Tower. I think I found the Tower better. Probably not a good choice of words, however, the difference between a 3100 seat venue and a 15,000 plus seat venue impacts the sound and the interplay performers can have with their fans.

The Stones took the stage around 8:45 and just got to it. The Stones were accompanied by a fine supporting cast including bassist Daryl Jones, and sax man Bobby Keys with an exceptional performance by singer Lisa Fischer. Her performance was electrifying. Brad Paisley made an appearance on “Dead Flowers” which I would describe as passable but not remarkable. On the other hand Mick Taylor's appearance was very special in both emotional and artistic ways. The audience erupted in applause when he came on sage for “Midnight Rider.” He played off of Mick, Keith and Ron. It was apparent they all loved it and the audience loved them all back! And what can you say about Charlie Watts. I do not think he broke a sweat. He never changed that dead pan expression. He just pounded those drums.

I did not see any of the awkwardness people have reported between Mick and Keith though Mick did not hug or put his arm around Keith the way he did with Ron and Charlie. You know, not being a Psychiatrist, I leave diagnosis to them. I thought on the night of our concert, they were together.

They opened with a thunderous rendition of “Get Off of My Cloud “. It set the tone for the rest of what was a memorable concert. If this is their last it was worthy on every level. There were a few numbers that were not perfect. “Miss You” and Paint it Black” just lacked a little power. On the other hand, Keith and Rod were incendiary playing off of each other for many songs but especially,”It's Only Rock 'n” Roll(But I Like It),”Start Me Up”, and “Honky Ton Women.” Richard's vocal lead efforts were “You Got the Silver” and “Before They Make Me Run.” These songs were bluesy with Ron and Keith playing acoustic.

My favorite Stones song is “Sympathy for the Devil”. It was my Medical Battalion's theme song in Vietnam. A perfect theme for the absurd nature and underlying dark side of war. They left the stage after “Sympathy for the Devil” and returned to do an encore of 3 songs. The Stones were accompanied on “You Can't Always Get What You Want” by The Crossing Choir who did a great job. I'd like to mention the audience gave the choir a little help on this song, fun. “Jumpin' Jack Flash “was followed by the finale”(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction” The most famous riff in all of rock started what was the perfect ending. Mick Taylor returned to another very enthusiastic welcome. Keith and Ron ran along the walkway with Mick Jagger. If their ever was a song that sums up what a band is about this is it. Loud, in your face, open, real, abrasive, fun , talented, resilient and entertaining are how I would describe them.

The set list consisted of:
“Get Off My Cloud”
“It's Only Rock 'n' Roll(But I Like It)”
“Paint It Black”
“Gimme Shelter”
“Wild Horses”
“Dead Flowers” with Brad Paisley
“Emotional Rescue”
“Doom and Gloom”
“One More Shot”
“Honky Tonk Women”
“You Got the Silver”
“Before They Make Me Run”
“Midnight Rambler” with Mick Taylor
“Miss You”
“Start Me Up”
“Tumbling Dice”
“Brown Sugar”
“Sympathy for the Devil”
“You Can't Always Get What You Want” with The Crossing Choir
“”(I Can”t Get No) Satisfaction”

I hope this was not the last tour. No one knows but if it was they went out on top with an audience who did not see them as senior citizens. They saw them as the greatest band of all times!



 
 
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