Rolling Stones: The Biggest Bang

Disc #1: The Austin show is the strongest performance included in this release, with spirited if less-than-note-perfect renditions of deep cuts like 'Sway' and 'Little T&A.' There's also a very nice 'Streets of Love' (earnest without being schmaltzy, not an easy trick to pull off with a ballad) and a blistering version of 'Sympathy for the Devil.'

Disc #2: The audience seems to be having fun, and the Stones set an attendance record (1,500,000 people), but the show at Copacabana Beach falls flat for me. It begins with a sloppy, listless version of 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and doesn't get much better from there: Mick Jagger flubs lyrics that he should know by heart, Keith Richards hits a *lot* of bum chords, etc., etc.

Disc #3: Selected performances from Japan, China and Argentina. Japan opens strong with 'Let's Spend the Night Together,' and China features solid renditions of 'Bitch' and 'Midnight Rambler,' but Argentina is the high point as the Stones whip their Buenos Aires fans into a frenzy with a truly inspired version of 'Paint It Black.' (On the Steel Wheels tour, 'Paint It Black' acquired more of a Spanish flavor; here, it actually sounds Indian again.)

Disc #4: A tour documentary that you probably won't watch more than once.

Bonus material includes a lovely performance of 'Shine a Light' with Bonnie Raitt guesting on vocals, as well as a ragged but interesting rehearsal of the Muddy Waters standard 'I Can't Be Satisfied' (which the band recorded way back in 1964). Seven and a half stars for the entire package, at least from a hardcore Stones fan's perspective.