August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080i live transfer of "Counting Crows: August And Everything After: Live at Town Hall," released by Eagle Rock Entertainment, showcases the band’s 2007 performance with commendable high-definition video quality. Shot digitally, the concert's detail is consistently impressive, especially during close-ups, with clarity maintained even during rapid camera movements over the audience. Color reproduction is notably convincing, with the modest stage lighting yielding a rich and unblemished visual experience. The transfer skillfully handles motion-judder and keeps light background noise in check, eliminating problematic shadow issues.

Despite the high-definition strengths, there are occasional technical drawbacks. The source material is relatively clean, but some artifacts such as noise and aliasing appear sporadically, especially in wider shots. This mild aliasing may distract from the otherwise robust presentation. Other artifacts like banding also crop up occasionally but do not dominate the viewing experience. While some shots may appear slightly soft, the overall detail is good, with the lighting design delivering vibrant color shifts and maintaining decent contrast levels throughout. Despite slight elevation in black levels and minor technical issues likely inherent to the source, the transfer delivers a strong display of depth and vibrant colors on screen. The video transfer meets concert disc standards adequately, ensuring an engaging visual experience that supports the primary focus on audio content.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall" features a robust selection of audio tracks including DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, LPCM 2.0, and Dolby Digital 5.1. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track stands out with its remarkable dynamic nuances and well-balanced elements, delivering a superior immersive experience. The vocals of Adam Duritz are clear and crisp, capturing almost every syllable of his captivating performance. The separation of instruments is adeptly executed across the front soundstage, enhancing the distinctiveness of each musical element without overpowering one another.

Surround channels, while used primarily for crowd reactions and minor echoes, contribute an authentic live concert feel and add depth to the overall experience. The sound remains consistently clean, free from any noticeable pops, cracks, or audio dropouts. Though the bass can appear slightly subdued, it maintains a presence on certain songs contributing to an acceptable dynamic range. This mix does not overenhance the intimate club-feel of the performance, preserving its genuine atmosphere.

Both the Dolby Digital and PCM tracks present solid alternatives. The Dolby track, though lacking the same level of fidelity as the DTS-HD, holds its own effectively; whereas the PCM mix delivers strong but less immersive sound due to its stereo nature. While this may not be the most groundbreaking concert disc in terms of audio quality, it provides a satisfactory and enjoyable listening experience that fans of Counting Crows will appreciate.

The extras included in the Blu-ray of "August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall" offer an in-depth look into the band's evolution and creative processes. One of the highlights is a comprehensive interview titled "In Depth With Adam Duritz And Charlie Gillingham." Presented in 1080i with LPCM 2.0 sound, and featuring optional subtitles in English, French, Spanish, and German, this 41-minute interview dives into the origins of the Counting Crows, their improvisational style, challenges faced during their early years, and the story behind their first album’s production. It’s recorded separately with each member, offering an intimate and honest perspective that fans will find particularly rewarding.

Extras included in this disc:

In Depth With Adam Duritz And Charlie Gillingham: An extensive interview exploring the band's history, improvisational style, and creative challenges, along with insights into the events leading to the concert.

Counting Crows: August and Everything After – Live at Town Hall, filmed on September 18, 2007, captures the band’s first-ever complete live performance of their groundbreaking debut album. The concert unites Adam Duritz and his distinctive vocals with band members David Immergluck (electric/acoustic guitars, mandolin, pedal steel, vocals), Dan Vickrey (electric/acoustic guitars, banjo, vocals), Millard Powers (bass, vocals, piano), Charles Gillingham (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, harmonica, vocals), David Bryson (electric/acoustic guitars, vocals), and Jim Bogios (drums, vocals, percussion). A notable feature of this performance is the energized and slightly reworked arrangements that retain the essence of the original recordings while infusing them with spontaneous flair.

The concert adheres to the album’s original track order with minor adjustments, featuring fan favorites like “Round Here,” “Mr. Jones,” and “Rain King.” Duritz’s raw and impassioned vocals bring new emotional depth and nuance to the well-known songs. Despite brief moments of awkwardness in his storytelling, Duritz’s charisma and stage presence shine through, complemented by the band’s cohesive backing. As the show unfolds, viewers are treated to a dynamic mix of introspective tracks and more upbeat anthems, all underscored by the band’s characteristic improvisational style that makes each performance feel distinctive.

Visually, the production employs dramatic lighting and varied camera angles to reflect and enhance the mood of each song without overshadowing the intimate concert atmosphere. The filmmakers adeptly balance slow movements and minimal cuts during introspective moments with more aggressive editing techniques during crescendos. This thoughtful visual composition complements the music, offering a compelling viewer experience. Counting Crows: August and Everything After – Live at Town Hall serves as a memorable tribute to the album that helped define the band’s early success while showcasing their growth as artists over the years.

"Counting Crows: August and Everything After - Live at Town Hall" is a compelling concert Blu-ray that captures the essence of the band's celebrated debut album. The live performance delivers an invigorating dose of nostalgia while showcasing some refreshing new arrangements that breathe fresh life into familiar tracks. The concert’s setting at Town Hall exudes an intimate atmosphere, enhancing the connection between the band and the audience.

Technically speaking, the video quality, while not groundbreaking, serves its purpose effectively, providing a clear and immersive viewing experience. In contrast, the audio is meticulously engineered to offer rich fidelity and technical precision, ensuring that every note resonates with clarity and depth. Although the supplementary content is sparse, what is included offers valuable insights for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, "Counting Crows: August And Everything After" succeeds in capturing the magic of a live performance with high-quality presentation typical of Eagle Rock Entertainment. The nuanced reinterpretations of classic songs add new layers of enjoyment, making this Blu-ray a worthy addition to any music lover's collection. Buy with confidence—this release comes highly recommended.