The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus is one of those great time capsules of the rock and roll era. Filmed at the Intertel TV Studio in Wembley on December 11, 1968 and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the movie was part rock show and part sideshow. The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus featured the original lineup of The Rolling Stones – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman – who served as the main music draw and the night’s hosts. They were joined by a diverse lineup that included The Who, who were firing on all cylinders with their explosive performance of “A Quick One, While He’s Away.” There’s also Jethro Tull featuring Tony Iommi on guitar, Marianne Faithfull, Taj Mahal, Yoko Ono and Ivry Gitlis, and the only performance by…
…the supergroup The Dirty Mac. Comprised of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards, the group was specially assembled for the show and are seen in the film performing an incendiary take on The Beatles’ “Yer Blues” and accompanying Yoko Ono and Ivry Gitlis on the improvisation “Whole Lotta Yoko.”
The special was recently restored in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision for a limited engagement screening across the U.S. But fans will be happy to hear that they’ll soon be able to bring the circus home with them. Today, ABKCO announced the release of several deluxe, expanded editions of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, due for release on June 7.
The new editions will be available in three physical configurations. The 2-CD Expanded Edition boasts newly remixed and remastered audio and newly discovered, unreleased performances. Among those rarities are three tracks by Taj Mahal, two classical interpretations by Julius Katchen, and three tracks by The Dirty Mac (a warmup jam, a second take of “Yer Blues,” and a run-through of The Beatles’ “Revolution”).
Disc 1:
- Mick Jagger’s Introduction Of Rock And Roll Circus – Mick Jagger
- Entry Of The Gladiators – Circus Band
- Mick Jagger’s Introduction Of Jethro Tull – Mick Jagger
- Song For Jeffrey – Jethro Tull
- Keith Richards’ Introduction Of The Who – Keith Richards
- A Quick One While He’s Away – The Who
- Over The Waves – Circus Band
- Ain’t That A Lot Of Love – Taj Mahal
- Charlie Watts’ Introduction Of Marianne Faithfull – Charlie Watts
- Something Better – Marianne Faithfull
- Mick Jagger’s and John Lennon’s Introduction Of The Dirty Mac – Mick Jagger & John Lennon
- Yer Blues – The Dirty Mac
- Whole Lotta Yoko – Yoko Ono & Ivry Gitlis with The Dirty Mac
- John Lennon’s Introduction Of The Rolling Stones – Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones
- Parachute Woman – The Rolling Stones
- No Expectations – The Rolling Stones
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
- Sympathy For The Devil – The Rolling Stones
- Salt Of The Earth – The Rolling Stones
Disc 2:
- Checkin’ Up On My Baby – Taj Mahal
- Leaving Trunk – Taj Mahal
- Corinna – Taj Mahal
- Revolution (rehearsal) – The Dirty Mac
- Warmup Jam – The Dirty Mac
- Yer Blues (take 2) – The Dirty Mac
- Brian Jones’ Introduction of Julius Katchen – Brian Jones
- de Falla: Ritual Fire Dance – Julius Katchen
- Mozart: Sonata In C Major-1st Movement – Julius Katchen