Counting Crows – “August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall” [DVD Review]

This DVD captures a very special moment in time. The one and only time that the Counting Crows performed their debut release, August and Everything After, in its entirety in front of a live audience. The Crows have always had a reputation for being a phenomenal live band and after watching this concert through, I can certainly see why. On this particular night, though the band plays through all of their well-known hits, they have all been reworked; many of them melding in and out of each other.

A good example of this can be found in the opener, “Round Here/Raining In Baltimore,” which seamlessly melds the two songs into something familiar yet something very different from the original album tracks. I found it quite interesting and a testament to how underrated and how good the band really is; their ability to shift gears at the drop of a hat in order to keep up with the vocal meanderings of Adam Duritz is nothing less than stellar.

Duritz too is captivating as he delivers a truly emotional, unbelievably passionate performance in front of the packed house of Town Hall in New York City. On this night the audience was treated to a once in a lifetime performance from this highly original, highly influential band. In addition to the complete August and Everything After disc the DVD includes informative, in-depth conversations with Duritz and Charlie Gillingham as well.

Fans of the band will eat this one up, but I think this disc will appeal to a much larger audience as well. You don’t have to be a Counting Crows fan to appreciate the sheer musical genius on display in August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall. Check this one out, it really is a gem. For those who prefer audio only, this performance is also available in CD format.

Track Listing:

01. Round Here/Raining In Baltimore
02. Omaha
03. Mr. Jones
04. Perfect Blue Buildings
05. Anna Begins
06. Time And Time Again
07. Rain King
08. Sullivan Street
09. Ghost Train
10. A Murder Of One
In Depth with Adam Duritz and Charlie Gillingham (Bonus Feature)

Run Time: 119 minutes
Release Date: August 29, 2011

Check out the song: “Round Here”