One of the unsung successes of Criterion's catalog Blu-grades has been the startling clarity of the new lossless audio tracks. Even on a substandard audio system (like mine, I must admit), you can effortlessly detect the difference between the "good for a DVD" track full of hiss and the lossless pool of pure sound.

The picture upgrade is stunning on Gimme Shelter as well, which cements it as one of the few reference-level HD transfers for a vintage, 16mm-shot doc. Whereas there's a big difference in content aside from music as a common general thread, I prefer the quality here to Warner Bros.' Woodstock release a few months ago.

All of the extras are the same as the DVD edition: A. Maysles/Zwerin/Stanley Goldstein commentary, Madison Square Garden performances by the Stones, radio excerpts from KSAN's Altamont wrap-up, and an Altamont stills gallery. The original and rerelease trailers are also in there along with a booklet that contains various essays and details on the restoration.