I agree with alot of others. Some of the songs sound weak, there were certainly other Vertigo tour performances of Pride, Streets and One that blew the DVD versions out of the water, the crowd is dull for a U2 crowd and the camera work could be much improved. Of these things, the only thing that stands out throughout is the lack of crowd energy. Yes, it was better in Boston, but you cant fault U2- Chicago is usually very energetic! Just like if they had decided to film 360 in Boston this year- 9/21 was probably the best 360 show on Leg 2, but I thought the crowd sucked- most left after Walk On! Any city can have a bad night crowd wise, you just hope its not when the cameras are rolling.
All that being said, it is not my favorite, but like Digitize, is the first one I was introduced to. I have fond memories of having this on repeat in my computer every day in the early months of 2006 after having got it for Christmas! That being said, lets look at the many things this DVD has going for it:
- The Vertigo tour I think featured a genuine and passionate political focus that brought back an earnestness not seen since the late 80s. For example:
-Love and Peace was done extremely well, SBS and Bullet a little tired, but with a significant amount of energy from Larry and a big statement from Bono.
-Running to Standstill was just gorgeous- Bono in top form, The Edge on piano, the deeply touching thank you and prayer for the safety of American soldiers in harms way, etc.
Other highlights:
-COBL-Vertigo opening is very strong.
-Electric Co maybe the best, most intense version on Vertigo.
-An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart- intense and moving. All mentioned above a great selection and fitting with one of the key themes of the tour- revisiting, in sound and in sentiment, the wonder, opportunity angst and loss of innocence presented in the Boy era.
-ZOO TV homage encore kicks all kinds of ass!
-Zoo Station is nicely re worked, maybe not as great as the 1992-3 performances, but an interesting update that changed some things and kept the core the same!
-Strong performance of The Fly, represents 05/06 versions pretty well, though some were better.
-Probably the longest and possibly(the other contenders are on Leg 5) the best Vertigo tour Mysterious Ways! This has it all- much better drumming than 360, the band is actually into it, the slide solo is spectacular, and they play it out for a long time as our friend (I forget her name, isn't that terrible?) was pulled up on stage. Notice this is probably one of the only moments the crowd really gets into it big time!
-Yahweh was good, and though not as good as the 80s versions, I thought 40 was spectacular and that it sounded great after Yahweh!
-Overall great set list and coherence to the show: I love how the early part focused on the theme of innocence and age by placing songs from Boy near City, Vertigo,then picked up the inspirational theme with BD, MD, NYD leading into the more fiery than usual mid/end set political theme. Then a great visual and musical look at AB in the 1st encore, followed by a 2nd encore that brings things full circle by placing Yahweh and 40 together to end the show. Just as I connect COBL and Boy, I connect Yahweh and 40. The entire set was a great depiction of how U2 felt at the time, having been through a long and diverse career, but now feeling some of the same things they felt when they started out in 1980. This is so well represented by the opening and closing sequences.
Long story short, this DVD is awesome and only suffers in a small way from the few things we have mentioned in this thread. The only thing it is truly guilty of is not measuring up to Zoo TV, R&H and The Under A Blood Red Sky DVD, but really, what the hell could??
Keep in mind this was when I first heard U2. Elevation from Boston is probably the worst. I love Elevation from Slane though. Good performances and very emotional since Bono had lost his father prior to the gig.
