t.v. residue noise

Song Review: The White Stripes - “Death Letter” (Live, June 15, 2000)

There’s nothing like an archival White Stripes video to confirm just how much time has passed since the year 2000.

Rescued from “deep within” the Third Man Records vaults, the June 15, 2000, video of the band playing Son House’s “Death Letter” looks and sounds ancient - all washed out, gritty and raw as Jack and Meg White player under a vinyl banner advertising pints of PBR for a buck and a quarter.

And this is authentic blues going far back into the preceding century. Jack plays slide, moans low and wails high and cues tempo shifts that Meg executes as if a button was pushed.

The six people in that Montana bar probably didn’t know they were witnessing history.

But they were.

The year 2000 was obviously two decades ago. But this grimy gem makes it feel like closer to a century.

Grade card: The White Stripes - “Death Letter” (Live - 6/15/00) - A