It’s amazing that all you have to do is look at the picture on the left, and you can immediately identify the band and album it signifies.
1987 was such an important year for U2. It was the year their magnanimously massive album The Joshua Tree was released, thus thrusting them straight to super-duper-OOPER star status. They landed on Time magazine… they were only the fourth rock band to ever be featured on the cover… can anyone name the other three artists before U2?
Yes, 1987 was a big year for U2.
So I was pretty excited to see that I had this concert bootleg from just a few months after The Joshua Tree was released. I love bootlegs of bands on the track to massive success.
The Joshua Tree was released in March of 1987, and this bootleg takes place in November of that same year. The Joshua Tree tour was the first time U2 had played stadiums and arenas, and in my humble opinion, that’s where their music belongs. I just can’t imagine hearing “Where the Streets Have No Name” in a small club. Weird.
Anyhow, this short bootleg covers ground from October on to The Joshua Tree. I was ecstatic to see “October” listed as one of the tracks, as that is one of my favorite songs from the album of the same name. The quiet ringing piano always makes for a nice segue, and Larry Mullen, Jr.’s wooden block clickity-clicking adds so much to the minimalism that surrounds the instrumentation.
Bono sounds great in this concert. I loved his vocals during this phase of U2: growling, raw, and incredibly strong. For some reason, I think he lost his “punch” in the later albums, especially in How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. There’s just something missing that you don’t quite notice until you go back to this period of the band.
My favorite part of this collection is in the song, “Spanish Eyes.” If you know the song, you’ll notice that Bono comes in awkwardly with his vocals, throwing the rest of the band into disarray. The music stops abruptly, and Bono says, “Let’s start that again.” Priceless moments caught on tape. Yes, even BONO can mess up. Hard to believe, but true. Again, Bono sounds frikkin’ amazing here. Check out the way he ends the first chorus at 1:15. LOVE it.
I was not lucky enough to catch U2 on this tour, but I DID get a concert t-shirt from a friend who was lucky enough to go. Did any of you catch a show on The Joshua Tree tour?
The sound quality of this bootleg is excellent to the point that, if tweaked a bit, could easily be released as an official live album. I really wish I had more of the show… something I’ll have to look for in the future. I am relieved that “40″ is included here. A U2 concert just doesn’t seem complete without that closer.
So kick back and dig some music from one of the most important bands in Rock n’ Roll. The Joshua Tree got a makeover last year with additional tracks and a live concert DVD… a must have for any fans of this incredible album.
**** One last thing… just in time for the hoidays… U2 has recorded a cover of Greg Lake’s “I Believe In Father Christmas” for a new online magazine, RED(WIRE). This magazine was launched yesterday (World AIDS Day), and will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa. According to Billboard, RED(WIRE) is “an outgrowth of the Bono-reared activist organization (RED).” Some big names are getting involved with this subscription based magazine: U2, The Killers, Sheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks, Elton John, John Legend… go check out U2′s song and the accompanying video at the official RED(WIRE) site.
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Your Dig-It Downloads: (right click on link to download)
U2 Live in Denver, CO. November 7, 1987
Download: I Will Follow (live)
Download: Trip Through Your Wires (live)
Download: The Unforgettable Fire (live)
Download: October (live)
Download: Running to Stand Still (live)
Download: Spanish Eyes (live)
Download: “40″ (live)
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I just had to replace my copy of The Joshua Tree this year :) I couldn’t find my CD anywhere so I had to order it again even though I also have a digital copy.
Thanks for these bootlegs, we are enjoying them rather loudly in my office right now. I think the bootleg category is one of my favorites. I had to download “Spanish Eyes” first so we could hear the part you were talking about…and it is moments like those that make this one of my favorite categories on the site.
by the way what are the three other artist on the cover of Time? I have a few guesses but you know how I hate to be wrong.
This bootleg kicks ass! And what a nice intro article for it. So many favorites here…I could listen to Running to Stand Still over and over and over and never get sick of it. And October…Gah, love it. I’ve heard 40 covered by quite a few artists, but nothing compares to U2. And those opening notes to I Will Follow just put a big ass smile on my face.
Man, every time I hear U2′s older stuff I am reminded of how fricken amazing they are…and how cool it is that after all these years they are still making music together…the original four. VERY COOL. And no, I couldn’t see Where the Streets Have No Name (one of my U2 FAVORITES) in a small club either, but I definitely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to see it if it presented itself. lol
As far as the Christmas cover you linked to, all I have to say is *sigh* THE EDGE *sigh*. I just love him. And I LOVE when Bono belts it out at about 2:05. I think they did a really good job with it, and for a really good cause. So cool :) Gonna go listen to the bootleg top to bottom. U2 makes me feel happy… and productive, so I’m gonna go with it and get my butt in gear today! :) Thank you!
Lots of singers have been on Time Magazine, but rock bands would be The Beatles, The Band and The Who.
Since nobody really says “The U2″ I guess they are the first non-the rock band!
And the The Joshua Tree is one of the greatest albums of all times. It’s amazing that guys who said they were “a band” before they learned how to play their instruments can make such great music. Bono is one of the top 3 people I would like to meet! I’ve never seen them play live, I want too!
Thanks for finding me on Twitter. Big U2 fan. Nice site. Thanks.
Hey man, big fan of U2. Thanks so much for sending out the bulletins. I would have hate to have missed this.
Awesome!!!
I was lucky enough to see U2 on the Joshua Tree tour, twice actually…cuz back in the day I knew how to play my cards, mmm hmmmmm….
Thanks for these, there’s really nothing better than bootleg U2!!
Thanks so much for finding me on Myspace. I am a huge fan of both U2 and Springsteen so this site is going to become a regular stop! Keep up the good work
Glad your office is digging on U2! Yes, bootleg moments are priceless!!!!
Yes, I think it’s great that U2 are still together. Bono could have gone out on his own, but he didn’t because he knows it’s a group effort, not just BONO. For that I respect him so much… many other frontmen would have gone solo by now. They are a rare breed.
VERY nicely done!
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LUCKY! My brother had an extra ticket and took his GIRLFRIEND who didn’t even really care for U2. He KNEW I was a BIG fan but took his GIRLFRIEND.
Sheesh.
Sweet! Thanks for reading and I hope you dig all the music featured here!!!!!