Recorded in Blackpool, England's Empress Ballroom in January 2004 with 8mm cameras, the White Stripes' Under Blackpool Lights comes dang close to capturing the feel of their live show. The band has always eschewed the mode... more »rn contrivances of digital music-making, opting for vintage guitars, a trap kit, and tube amps to lay down their synthesis of Americana and British invasion fuzz. The grainy film stock is the perfect visual complement to the peals of feedback and strong-armed beats the band delivers in 26 tunes that keep the audience bouncing. Highlights include a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," Leadbelly's "De Ballit of de Boll Weevil," and the band's own "Ball and Biscuit" and "Seven Nation Army." Fans who cherish the songs in this set on CD (or, better yet, vinyl) are in for a treat as every number is reinterpreted, with Jack White mining for new licks and singing like he's imbibing on a secret stash of Howlin' Wolf's moonshine. Meg, stomping her bass drum barefoot, has never looked or sounded as confident behind her kit, especially when she plays whole songs--literally, folks--with one hand behind her back. The disc contains no extras to speak of, just wall-to-wall rock, but true disciples of the Stripes won't leave disappointed. --Ryan Boudinot« less
Actor:The White Stripes Genres:Music Video & Concerts Sub-Genres:Pop, Rock & Roll, Other Music Studio:V2 Format:DVD - Color DVD Release Date: 12/07/2004 Release Year: 2004 Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 4 Edition: Import MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
"You've maybe heard of this band but are wondering if they're the real deal? They are phenomenonally real, and this live concert shows why. That boy Jack White has studied the blues masters and seems to have made the same deal with the devil that Robert Johnson did. His playing is positively possessed: an over-amped guitar sound that reminded me both of Hendrix and Blue Cheer's Leigh Stephens, a voice between young Robert Plant and Janis Joplin. The drummer is perfect: solid, beautiful, and very cool. No stage gimmickry or back-up dancers, just an electrifying couple setting the night on fire. For once you can believe the hype."
That man can play the guitar
PSM/Bokor | United States | 01/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was in awe the entire time. The White Stripes are just back to basic music, and Jack White plays the guitar as if he is possessed. Meg White is a solid drummer - a perfect complement to the guitar wailings of Jack. That's it folks, two musicians who make more music than larger bands.
The energy is astounding. The audio recording is beautiful. The visuals are intentionally grainy, but I find it enhances the experience. Overall, the package is very well done. There are no frills. You put the DVD in and the concert begins.
Lover's of music will not be disappointed. I believe Jimi Hendrix would have been impressed."
Excellent DVD, awesome band
Derek | Madison, WI | 12/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this DVD the day it came out and watched it that evening. Since then, I have watched it at least two more times. The audio quality is brilliant, the performance is past even their usual high standard. The grainy film may be annoying for some people, but, to me, it is classic White Stripes and doesn't detract from the film at all.
Jack White's guitar playing is unbelievable and the band has a stunning onstage presence, especially considering there are only the two of them. I saw the band live in Detroit last year, and this film captures their live energy as well as could be expected, but nothing even compares to actually being there.
The tracklisting has the standard elements of a post-Elephant show, opening with "When I Hear My Name" and "Black Math" and ending with "Boll Weevil." However, it also includes some rare live songs, most notably "I Fought Pirhanas," from their first album, and the mixes of "Death Letter"/"Grinnin In Your Face" and "Let's Build A Home"/"Goin' Back To Memphis." Disappointingly absent is "Fell In Love With A Girl," but, overall, the included songs are the best the White Stripes have to offer in a live performance.
There are actually a few extras, but you have to find them on your own... Mr. White wouldn't want it to be too easy to get at the extras, you know? Another review mentioned Jack's guitar as a Gibson Firebird... Live, Jack has three guitars with him- a 1964 Airline, a Kay hollowbody and a Domino Dawson, the main guitar being the red and white Airline. He uses the Airline (made of plastic!) for most of the songs except the ones that require a slide, such as "Seven Nation Army," "Death Letter," and "I Fought Pirhanas."
While nothing can compare to the White Stripes' actual live performance, this DVD is the closest you'll get without actually being there. The White Stripes are one of the best rock bands around today, and I highly recommend purchasing this DVD - and their albums, if you haven't heard them already."
The White Stripes Live. (Las Rayas Blancas.)
$Obie | Merced | 01/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before I stopped into the store and picked this album up, I had pretty bunch stopped buying music for six months and was content to listen to the Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The White Stripes playlist I seemed to have running at the time among many other things, when I bought this Video I had the latter 3 White Stripes albums. This video changed the direction I was heading musically, I have since purchased the first two White Stripes albums and many others as this has relit the musical fire that had been smuldering over and not ignited launched into any particular direction. This DVD has actually changed my life, I have purchased, Robert Johnson, Son House, Charley Patton, as well as all the White Stripes albums as said earlier and am on a musical tear to find out as much as possible as to what developed Jack White into the man he is today.
The Concert is one of the most enthralling things I have ever seen in my life. After a couple minutes into it, it becomes truly apparent that you are witness to something very special. I own quite a few concert DVDs (not bragging,) and this is one I will watch over and over again. Jack Whites rendition of Dolly Partons "Jolene" is on par with a performance of Stairway to heaven. His Dylan covers and every single song he runs through on his 90 minute tear are all five star performances. I would suggest this DVD to any music fan above almost everything else. It is an absolute must see, and a must own, that will surely be replayed many times."
Blown away
L. Gallagher | Michigan | 02/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After basically giving up on modern rock, I was given a copy of Get Behind Me Satan. Having never heard any White Stripes music (although I knew the name)I was pretty impressed by GBMS. SO being a good little surfer, visited TWS website where they have several videos to view. There you will find their cover of Jolene..which was taken from the concert featured on this DVD.
Upon seeing this video...I knew I HAD to see the whole show.
Blown away, stunned, and instantly addicted to The White Stripes. Other reviewers have attempted to describe what this DVD is like. So I will not rehash. It must be seen to be believed. Powerful, emotional, and a flat out steal at this price. If I could give it 10 or 100 stars I would."