"Hell, it was Rock and Roll, son.  Without it, you ain't got Rock and Roll."

No album in the history of Rock has more mystery, intrigue, decadence, and perfection about it than the double album diamond that many of us know as Exile on Main Street. 

The Stones-produced Stones in Exile film covers the period of time that encompasses Exile on Main Street.  Pushed out of England because of their smothering 90% tax rate, the Stones convened at a rented villa in France to record what what would become Exile on Main Street, mostly in the cellar of the house.  Of course, that album would have been recorded anywhere.  But the mysteries that surround the album have their roots in the self-imposed exile to escape the taxman.

The story is an interesting one, one that reaches out to absolute fans of the album's varied but strong tracks.  I can't encourage you enough to supplement your recent purchase of the Anniversary Edition of Exile on Main Street with this DVD.  It's linear front to back recounting of the Nellcote story is compelling and satisfactory to view.

It's supplemented by several bonus features that include extended interviews with the main components of the story (Richards, Watts, Wyman, Taylor, Pallenberg, and a short clip with current Stone, Ronnie Wood, whose approach is as a fan of the album.  All of them are insightful and great fun to watch.  There is a short film featuring Jagger and Watts as they revisit Jagger's residence, where some of the album was also recorded.

I have to admit to feeling quite pissy with the Fan interview segment.  The core of the interviewees that include Jack White, Sheryl Crow, and some other young individuals rave about how the album has changed their lives.  With the exception of Don Was and Martin Scorsese, I took serious exception to the stream of absolute bullshit spewing from that young core trying to explain the album's importance to me.  While many of the interviewees were easy to laugh at, I took particular umbrage at Jack White, who wants badly to interject himself with the greats.  And I like Jack White.  At least there is an easy remedy to this segment...don't watch it.  If you grew up with Exile on Main Street, you understand it.  One of these interviewees first heard it in 1993 and then proceeds to embarrass himself with disjointed garbage.  The others?  Oh boy...

Whether you find Exile on Main Street to be the greatest Rock and Roll album to ever have been created or the peak of The Rolling Stones musical greatness, it doesn't really matter.  Exile on Main Street is a treasure.  Where you hold it in your heart is of little importance as this album has achieved it's legacy standing.  It doesn't need us; it has never needed us.  We need it!

Essential purchase!