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Sorrow 100 (self.TheNational)

submitted by papayamangoguava

Does anybody know if there was ever an official recording of the time the National played "Sorrow" a hundred times in a row at an art museum? I can't for the life of me remember what museum they played at, but it was this performance art piece they did back in, like, 2011.

I used to have a file of the hundredth time they played "Sorrow" -- I found it on Tumblr over a decade ago when I was still in high school. It was a low-quality fan recording from the audience, but it was still an amazing performance and I'd love to hear it again...unfortunately, I have no idea where the file is now. (Note: I already checked the demos/rarities list.)

So...does this performance art piece ring any bells? Does anyone know how to listen to that final rendition of the song? If anyone has any leads, even just more information about this vague thing I remember, I'd really appreciate it!

Edit: Thank you all for your help!

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[–]IceRat23 34 points35 points  (0 children)

“A Lot Of Sorrow” was released on vinyl

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https://youtu.be/-ZZfVQ178EY

[–]car_migVanderlyle 🍋 13 points14 points  (4 children)

I believe you're referring to "A Lot of Sorrow", more info here: https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/the-national-a-lot-of-sorrow-limited-edition-9lp-vinyl-box/

Only 1500 copies were made and I think none are available at retail stores anymore, you might want to look in eBay or similar sites.

[–]Forward_Following_67A girl inside my cake 🍰 5 points6 points  (2 children)

$600+ 🥲

[–]FlashFlooder 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I caved and bought this on Discogs for $400, randomly found a copy at a record shop while vacationing in SanFran 2 weeks later (for $200). Wife wouldn’t let me buy it lol

[–]DedHorsSaloon3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Boooo. That’s a steal compared to most prices

[–]papayamangoguava[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's funny, I always thought the performance was called "Sorrow 100" because the file I had was titled that. Thanks for the info!

[–]Cuclean 9 points10 points  (1 child)

During the pandemic they streamed the whole thing on YouTube once with full video but it was gone as soon as the stream ended. I don't think it was recorded by anyone at the time as I've never seen it since. My friend was so gutted the next morning as I was sending him screenshots of it while I was watching.

[–]00000000000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gutted I missed this. Also have looked since and never found even a partial video.

[–]Halo_Chagrin 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Here is a link to the specific performance you’re talking about https://www.tumblr.com/getmoneyfunnyagain-blog/50278151835/the-national-play-sorrow-for-the-hundredth-time-in

[–]papayamangoguava[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Wow, thanks! I think this is the original post I saw back in 2013-ish. I can't believe I'm seeing it again. I really appreciate it.

[–]Halo_Chagrin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem! I was a big part of the fandom on tumblr back then and also obsessively tagged things so I was able to find it quite easily :)

[–]helloviolaine 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I remember that everyone thought they'll never play Sorrow again after that but they played it immediately and Matt was like "we know it really well now"

[–]joshmoviereview 4 points5 points  (1 child)

You’ve already gotten your answer so I’ll offer a tiny bit more on the artist— a lot of sorrow was conceived by Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson who has created some stunning works.

He created a 13 (?) screen video installation “The Visitors” of him and his friends performing a song for an hour or so, in various rooms of a large house in upstate New York. As you walk through the room and see the different musicians, you notice the directionality of the music surrounding you and feel transported, as if you too are in that house. I can’t really describe how beautiful it is… the closest comparison I can think of musically is basinski’s disintegration loops. Minimalist repetition that balloons and swells to a somehow shocking and transcendent climax.

I saw it at the institute of contemporary art in Boston, then again in Cincinnati during homecoming. The kind of museum installation where you stare in awe for an hour, then watch it again the next hour. If it’s ever shown at a museum near you, you must go.

[–]papayamangoguava[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is so cool, thanks for sharing. "A Lot of Sorrow" seems like such an interesting concept for a performance, so I'm glad to get some more info about Kjartansson.

[–]LaMareeNoire 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I can't find it right now, but I remember a great review/blog about the vinyl, with the reviewer becoming increasingly drunk and unhinged

[–]DedHorsSaloon3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean that’s pretty much how you’re supposed to listen to a National album