Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie Review

Filmed at Town Hall in New York City on September 18, 2007, Counting Crows: August And Everything After captures the legendary rock band performing their debut album, in its entirety, live for the first time ever. The lineup for this memorable show was Adam Duritz (vocals), David Immergluck (electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals), Dan Vickery (electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, vocals), Millard Powers (bass, vocals, piano), Charles Gillingham (piano, hammond B-3 organ, accordion, harmonica, vocals), David Bryson (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals), and Jim Bogios (drums, vocals, percussion).

According to Duritz, a month before the show the band knew that they will be filmed but was unsure exactly what type of film they will be a part of. They wanted it to be about “everything after” but that was it – no one had a crystal clear concept in mind. They did not prepare the show and other than Duritz and Immy the rest of the guys did not even know that they will be playing August And Everything After in its entirety until they entered Town Hall.

Sometimes, however, it is best not to rehearse and just have the show you want to have happen. And this is exactly the type of show Counting Crows: August And Everything After is – inspired, spontaneous, fearless. Typically, these shows happen either before a band becomes successful, while its members are still hungry and unspoiled, or long after it has tasted success and its members have discovered that they were part of something special, creating special music.

The majority of the songs have slightly different arrangements - nothing fancy though, mostly a new type of energy infused into them. The melodic structures are the same and for the most part the rhythmic structures as well. Duritz’s singing, however, brings out details and nuances that are next to impossible to catch on the studio version of August And Everything After.

What I think long-time fans of the band will like the most about the show is its sincerity. There are familiar vibes here, but the new energy and Duritz’s passionate singing give the songs new substance. Indeed, Counting Crows: August And Everything After is a wonderful trip down memory lane with a group of guys who obviously never lost touch with reality.

Time And Time Again

Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Counting Crows: August And Everything After arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Filmed at Town Hall in New York City on September 18, 2007, Counting Crows: August And Everything After looks excellent in high-definition. Detail is consistently impressive, especially during close-ups - and I have tried to include a number of different screenshots in the review so that you could see for yourself - and clarity outstanding. In fact, even between the songs, when the camera quickly zooms over the audience, detail is very good. Color reproduction is convincing as well. The relatively modest stage lighting does not produce any image anomalies, even when the camera comes rather close to the large projectors and bright bulbs (see screncaptures #9 and 15), and motion-judder is kept at bay. Additionally, the light background noise that occasionally pops up on some of these live shows that we are getting on Blu-ray is also kept in check. I also did not see any problematic shadow issues. There are no strictly transfer related anomalies to report in this review either. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, LPCM 2.0 and Dolby Digital 5.1. For the record, Eagle Rock Entertainment have provided optional English, French, Spanish, and German subtitles for the long interview included with the concert.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is well rounded and boasting an excellent set of nuanced dynamics. Adam Duritz's vocals are never left hanging - the guitars are never overexposed and generally speaking well balanced. The few times when his singing feels pushed back a bit is when he moves or the crowd noise becomes prominent. The sound, however, remains consistently crisp. I felt that the surround channels could have been used slightly better, but this is very much an intimate show with a distinctive club feel, which rightfully has not been overenhanced. For the record, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or audio dropouts to report in this review.

Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• In Depth With Adam Duritz And Charlie Gillingham - in this excellent video interview, Adam Duritz and Charlie Gillingham discuss the band's past, how the band's style evolved during the years, August and Everything After and its success, etc. In English, with optional English, French, Spanish, and German subtitles.

Counting Crows: August And Everything After Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I loved the intimate atmosphere in Counting Crows: August And Everything After. Some of the new arrangements the band has done are also a lot better than the original ones and truly give their songs new substance. As usual, Eagle Rock Entertainment's presentation of the show is of exceptionally high quality. Buy with confidence, folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.