The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights

by Einstein Music Journal on Mon, 2010/03/15 - 3:51am Post to Twitter

Under A Microscope

Last night we watched The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights, a film by Emmett Malloy documenting the Detroit duo’s extensive escapades in Canada in 2007. The incredibly detailed documentary intersperses live footage with intimate interview sequences with the band, mainly Jack, whose upfront character is brought to light in a particular scene where he basically forces Meg to say his outspokenness doesn’t cause her to be mute. Meg laughs awkwardly and says, “It has nothing to do with you, Jack.”

The glaring light Malloy casts on his subjects brings out their true qualities. Here, Jack comes across as a Dylan-esque figure, spewing forth a constant rambling narrative; he’s both consistently composed and spontaneously fiery.

Meg, meanwhile, is her typical diminutive self, arching her back and tilting her head to the side, there are brief moments where she opens up, but largely she is overshadowed by the huge personality that is Jack, the firecracker, true blues performer, abruptly poetic and unapologetically abrupt.

The music itself, on DVD and CD, boasts the breadth and depth of their catalog, featuring outstanding performances of the ramshackle jig ‘Little Ghost’, the fiery garage rock of ‘Black Math’, the downward blues of ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’, the wickedly rambling ‘The Union Forever’; their best songs, basically.

Of course there’s the live staple, too: the cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. On CD, UGWNL swiftly and succinctly moves through these highlights from their various live shows, but it’s on DVD that the material really comes alive.

The pair, still doggedly insisting (well, Jack anyway) their brother-sister status, traverse the great North, visiting Inuits in a retirement home to trade performances of traditional songs, playing major shows in beautiful theatres and, best of all, odd little side shows in such un-tread turf as a tiny square, a school, a bowling alley and a fishing boat.

Malloy’s camera work is dignified and clear, reminiscent of old school film making. The recording and editing is brilliant, rekindling the love of a band who left an immeasurable impression on the last decade of music.

 The White Stripes- Ball And Biscuit (Live, Under Great White Northern Lights): MP3

The White Stripes- Website