Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: “Stones In Exile”
Label: Eagle Vision
Release Date: 6/21/2010
Genre: Rock & Roll
Rating: 4/5

In 1971, the Rolling Stones did what no one ever thought they would do – after being levied with incredible taxation from the English government; the band picked up and left their native country and moved to the South of France. Keith Richards settled at a house called Nellcote and eventually the rest of the Rolling Stones would take up temporary residence there and the beginnings of the album “Exile On Main Street” would be laid down and recorded. This documentary brings us back to that house in France as the band discusses the makings of the record and what went into it on a daily basis. We also get an inside look into what life at the house was like and how it eventually became a central gathering place for many music personality and night life. The film is loaded with great insights from the band and the producers that helped make the album come to life. We learn just how the decision was come to about recording the legendary LP inside the house and its basement as opposed to working in a full on studio and that was based on the studios of France not being up to snuff with what the Stones needed. Fortunately the band owned a mobile recording truck and this was set up at the house and the rest was history. There are amazing photographs from this period in the bands life and not only performance and recording images but also every day life and fun candid shots. A majority of the photographs come care of Dominique Tarle’s and I sense a photography book coming out of this release as well eventually because the fans would eat it up if this became the case. The feature is directed by Stephen Kajik and also makes some excellent use of the infamous footage from “Cocksucker Blues” by Robert Frank (that full documentary has not yet been released based on its content). As a film, this documentary runs about an hour and it doesn’t lose your interest once. It’s the perfect compliment for the fan that has just purchased the re-issue of the “Exile On Main Street” album and after they listen to that, and watch the film it will all make just a little more sense. Remember that not only were the Stones “changing” the expected direction in their fans eyes with “Exile”, but they were also delivering a double album which was so uncommon for a band to do back in 1971. This film helps you learn why all of this was the case.
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