Discography
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The White Stripes recently released a documentary called Under Great White Northern Lights last Tuesday, which I was confused into thinking this is a "live album" (there actually is a live album companion). Like many of you, I can't afford the nearly $400 Limited Boxset. The pricing is almost criminal, if you ask me.
The next best thing is to track down the Best Buy version of Under Great White Northern Lights for the CD/DVD combination for about $15 (those who don't want to buy it directly can get it second handed).
THE SOUNDTRACK
Hearing a White Stripes live album is like hearing a brand new record, since their live renditions of their songs are often very different in speed, and sometime style. If you don't mind hearing a slow version of "Fell in Love With a Girl", then great, but if you are the type that just wants to sing along, then forget about it.
Guitarist/singer Jack White explains that every show they do is different, sometime dictated by the audience, sometime dictated by the tempo, if it's fast, if it's slow. Sometime the real reason why the songs are so different done live is that they both have to work in the confines of guitars and drums.
To me, a good live recording should contain very little audience. I'm not sure if the White Stripes audience are just really, really loud, but often you hear people on songs and it can get annoying to hear a random "woot" or clap in the middle of Jack singing... so I can't say that this is the best live recording I've heard.
DOCUMENTARY
I did contemplated on buying the bluray version of this documentary, but based on its pricing ($20 but you don't get the soundtrack), I had to settle for the DVD version. To be honest, between the grains and black & white presentations and low-light videos of concerts videos, it really didn't matter about high definition (this would be a different story if this was the latest Hollywood action movie).
The documentary film covers all of The White Stripes' 2007 Canadian tour, directed by Emmett Malloy, who is obviously no stranger to film making. Relevant graphics were used when interviews reference something and it seems to flow linearly.
I'm sure it's intentional, but the first time you actually hear Meg White talk, the director then used a footage of her singing on "In the Cold, Cold Night". It's not until near the end that Jack White explaining that Meg's just quiet and shy. In fact, whenever you hear Meg talk, it's subtitled, just to give you an idea how barely audible she is.
The highlights are the live concert footage of The White Stripes. They are never boring to watch, since the shots are never the same from gig to gig.
My only complaint about the documentary was this one section where they ended up traveling to this Nadian Legion Facility. I kind of understand why the filmmaker decide to include this, to point out that the White Stripes are willing to go out of their way to places like this... but it's just a slow, slow five minutes. It seems to me that no elderly person at this place knew The White Stripes and it was just awkward to see Jack White trying to learn their culture.
The White Stripes documentary ends with their piano performance of "White Moon", which made Meg cried. Perhaps the song is more personal to them, but I've always thought that the song was about Rita Hayworth.
Anyway, a good documentary, worth a rental if you're a casual fan. If you're a fan, then definitely look for the CD/DVD edition. If you've just won the lottery, then look to that limited edition boxset, it comes with a nice 208 page hardcover photo by Autumn de Wilde.
The next best thing is to track down the Best Buy version of Under Great White Northern Lights for the CD/DVD combination for about $15 (those who don't want to buy it directly can get it second handed).
THE SOUNDTRACK
Hearing a White Stripes live album is like hearing a brand new record, since their live renditions of their songs are often very different in speed, and sometime style. If you don't mind hearing a slow version of "Fell in Love With a Girl", then great, but if you are the type that just wants to sing along, then forget about it.
Guitarist/singer Jack White explains that every show they do is different, sometime dictated by the audience, sometime dictated by the tempo, if it's fast, if it's slow. Sometime the real reason why the songs are so different done live is that they both have to work in the confines of guitars and drums.
To me, a good live recording should contain very little audience. I'm not sure if the White Stripes audience are just really, really loud, but often you hear people on songs and it can get annoying to hear a random "woot" or clap in the middle of Jack singing... so I can't say that this is the best live recording I've heard.
DOCUMENTARY
I did contemplated on buying the bluray version of this documentary, but based on its pricing ($20 but you don't get the soundtrack), I had to settle for the DVD version. To be honest, between the grains and black & white presentations and low-light videos of concerts videos, it really didn't matter about high definition (this would be a different story if this was the latest Hollywood action movie).
The documentary film covers all of The White Stripes' 2007 Canadian tour, directed by Emmett Malloy, who is obviously no stranger to film making. Relevant graphics were used when interviews reference something and it seems to flow linearly.
I'm sure it's intentional, but the first time you actually hear Meg White talk, the director then used a footage of her singing on "In the Cold, Cold Night". It's not until near the end that Jack White explaining that Meg's just quiet and shy. In fact, whenever you hear Meg talk, it's subtitled, just to give you an idea how barely audible she is.
The highlights are the live concert footage of The White Stripes. They are never boring to watch, since the shots are never the same from gig to gig.
My only complaint about the documentary was this one section where they ended up traveling to this Nadian Legion Facility. I kind of understand why the filmmaker decide to include this, to point out that the White Stripes are willing to go out of their way to places like this... but it's just a slow, slow five minutes. It seems to me that no elderly person at this place knew The White Stripes and it was just awkward to see Jack White trying to learn their culture.
Anyway, a good documentary, worth a rental if you're a casual fan. If you're a fan, then definitely look for the CD/DVD edition. If you've just won the lottery, then look to that limited edition boxset, it comes with a nice 208 page hardcover photo by Autumn de Wilde.
03/27/2010 08:07:40 ♥ vu () ♥ whitestripes.com ♥ myspace.com/thewhitestripes