Voodoo Lounge Album

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Lore & Background

The narrative of this release centers on a pivotal lineup change for The Rolling Stones. At the Miami Orange Bowl on November 25, 1994, the band performed before over 55,000 fans, continuing a tour where they had already played major hits like 'Honky Tonk Women' and 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' without Bill Wyman. Darryl Jones had recently joined after his time in Sting's solo band, bringing a 'funky ambiance' that allowed the group to 'surf on some new rhythm waves,' according to critics. The show was introduced by Whoopi Goldberg and featured special guests including Robert Cray on 'Stop Breaking Down' and Bo Diddley on 'Who Do You Love?'. Decades later, on November 23, 2018, the band released Voodoo Lounge Uncut, an extended version restoring the entire concert to DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and LP formats. Doug Collette of All About Jazz noted that while only portions were previously available, this restoration 'compensates and then some' by finally presenting the fully-restored piece.

In Their Own Story

The energy at Joe Robbie Stadium on November 25, 1994, was palpable as the Stones launched into a setlist that bridged their past with a new era. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, the night opened with 'Not Fade Away' and moved through classics like 'Tumbling Dice' and 'You Got Me Rocking'. The atmosphere shifted during the guest appearances: Robert Cray joined for Robert Johnson's 'Stop Breaking Down', while Bo Diddley took the stage for his own track. Later in the set, Sheryl Crow appeared to sing 'Live With Me'. The performance highlighted the seamless integration of bassist Darryl Jones, whose presence was noted by critics as a fresh force driving the rhythm section. Although the original 1995 VHS cut only presented 17 songs from the 27 played that night, the 2018 release of Voodoo Lounge Uncut finally allowed fans to experience every note of this landmark Miami performance in its entirety.

Reader's Guide

Fans can access the full scope of this historic performance through two primary versions. The original 'Voodoo Lounge Live' (VHS 1995, DVD 1998) contains a curated selection of 17 songs from the November 25, 1994 show, featuring key tracks like 'Satisfaction', 'Angie', and 'Start Me Up'. For those seeking completeness, the 'Voodoo Lounge Uncut' release (November 16, 2018) offers the entire concert on DVD, Blu-ray, CD, and vinyl. This expanded edition includes all 27 songs performed in Miami plus bonus footage filmed on August 14, 1994, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The bonus set features 'Shattered', 'Out of Tears', 'All Down the Line', and covers like 'I Can't Get Next to You' and 'Happy'. When listening or watching, pay attention to the distinct contributions of guest artists: Robert Cray on blues guitar, Bo Diddley's rhythmic drive, and Sheryl Crow's vocal harmonies. The tracklist also notes specific songwriters, such as Buddy Holly for 'Not Fade Away' and Bobby Womack for 'It's All Over Now', distinguishing them from the Jagger/Richards compositions that dominate the set.

Did You Know?

• The original Voodoo Lounge Live video included 18 of the 27 songs actually performed at the Miami concert.
• This was one of the first major shows where bassist Bill Wyman did not perform, with Darryl Jones taking his place.
• Whoopi Goldberg served as the host for the November 25, 1994 concert at the Miami Orange Bowl.
• Voodoo Lounge Uncut was released on November 23, 2018, more than two decades after the original video release.
• The bonus footage in Voodoo Lounge Uncut was filmed nearly three months earlier on August 14, 1994, at Giants Stadium.