Hi Lise. I replied to this question in the other forum (Where the Album Has a Name) but in case you miss it, I'll reply again here, with some added information for those who aren't familiar with the album.
As others have already stated, this song is not really a U2 release, despite how it's credited on Roger Ebert's web site. It's a release from The Passengers, a group consisting of all four members of U2, as well as Brian Eno, Howie B., Holi and Pavarotti. This group released an album called "Original Soundtracks 1" in 1995. The album features the song "Miss Sarajevo" and "Your Blue Room" - two of the most U2-sounding tracks on the release. However, the remaining 12 tracks on the album are far more ambient, with about 1/2 not featuring any vocals. The songs were recorded as if they would appear on soundtracks to films. Some songs were inspired by real films, others by "imaginary" films. At times, the members of U2 created films or credits to the songs based on acronyms of their own names.
If "Your Blue Room" sounds familiar to you, that's because it was a b-side to "Staring at the Sun." This song also features Adam's first solo speaking performance ever recorded on an album.
"Miss Sarajevo" was the hit single from this album. While the song never appeared in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, it did reach #6 on the U.K. charts - a far higher ranking than some of U2's more famous releases (for example, "One" only reached #7 on the British charts, and "Angel of Harlem" only reached #9). "Miss Sarajevo" is the track that features Pavarotti - and is my personal favorite on this album. Bono wrote this incredibly elegant verse, which was translated into Italian, for Pavarotti to sing. It is truly outstanding. Even in English, the lyrics are amongst Bono's most elegant.
The album, "Original Soundtracks 1" - often abbreviated as OS1 by fans - went to #12 on the U.K. charts and #76 on the U.S. charts. Typically, at position #76, that's about 20,000 copies sold. So while the album was far from a huge success, it did register a blip on the charts.
Of course, one main reason the album failed to become a huge hit is the fact that U2 insisted it not be released as a U2 album. U2 felt that doing so would be unfair to their fans (as the album was far more Brian Eno influenced than U2 influenced). Without the U2 name behind it, the album received virtually no promotion - only fans knew of the album.
During a "Pop" promotion interview on ABC, Larry discussed the album - he felt it was very self-indulgent. This is most likely because of how experimental the album was. As I stated above, many songs were instrumental. The group was called "The Passengers" because of Brian Eno's heavy influence on the project. It was thought that the members of U2, as well as Holi, Howie B. and Pavarotti, were "passengers" along for the "ride" created by Eno. Although Larry felt the work was indulgent, Bono, in the same interview, felt that Larry should be more "open-minded."
Lastly, there is a promo for this album, which is a CD of a radio discussion of this album. This promo is really for the true collectors, but it does feature one unique snippet. As stated above, Pavarotti sings an operatic verse in Italian on "Miss Sarajevo." Before Pavarotti was signed on to this project, Bono attempted this operatic verse. The promo contains just a snippet (not even 10 seconds) of Bono's performance - but I must say, he does a great job! Much like it would be interesting to hear Bono's version of "The Wanderer," I would like to hear Bono's version of "Miss Sarajevo." Perhaps when U2 finally open up their "vaults," we'll get to hear these goodies.
This album should be readily available in stores (often under the U2 section, even though technically it isn't a U2 release). If not, you can buy it on-line (from places like cdnow.com). You can find it at CDNow.com
here.
Hope this helps!
Oh - one more thing. To date, there has been no "Original Soundtracks 2." If Larry has his way, there most likely never will be. LOL! However, Edge has hinted at this possibility several times over the years. If an OS2 is ever released, it may have the same lower sales as OS1, but it will most likely become another critical darling for U2. When OS1 was released, critics praised U2 for their efforts in such a project. Despite the "experimental" nature of AB and "Zooropa" (a trend that was also continued on "Pop"), OS1 features U2 at their experimental extreme. This fact wasn't overlooked by critics who lauded the fact that a group as huge as U2 would allow themselves to explore such new musical territory (something most bands with U2's fame would not venture to risk).
[This message has been edited by doctorwho (edited 01-19-2002).]
