jick
Refugee
Axver said:
And you're saying they don't play like a cohesive unit? Seriously, mate, you're just being ridiculous. Do you go to a concert and sit there, listening for them to do something wrong, or do you go there and get into the music? You do the latter of course, and probably don't notice any wrong notes. Honestly, I couldn't tell you any instances where U2's played a wrong note because I SIMPLY DON'T CARE. They make bloody incredible music, and if Edge plays one insignificant sour note in the middle of an otherwise incredible solo, I couldn't care less. Every boot of them that I have sounds incredible the way it is. You're just harping on about such petty stuff that it completely crosses the line of pedantic.
Go find a bootleg, second show of Elevation. They "tried" to sing Angel Of Harlem, Edge hits the wrong chords - Bono messes up the lyrics big time. Obviously, they did not even rehearse the song and played it there and then. Check out their rough version of A Sort Of Homecoming on the Slane day 1. If U2 wants to play a song, at least they should prepare and rehearse for it. It's part of professionalism. Ok, so sour notes are fine, even the best bands hit those sour notes. But when what is evident is an obvious lack of preparation (and yes it has been well documented that Bono was reading the lyrics to Stay in the earlier Elevation performances, ditto for Edge when he was singing Numb in Zoo TV), then it shows lack of professionalism for a band of U2's stature. Opening night in Popmart Las Vegas was just an obvious lack of preparation. U2 should come to gigs prepared or don't play at all. At least let the paying public get their money's worth.
Take a look at Where The Streets Have No Name. Larry cues with his drumstick, Edge always comes in perfectly, the timing with the red screen and the synth is perfect, the crew backstage know the exact moment when to flash all the lights, and Bono has perfectly timed his run to reach the tip of the heart when it's time to sing the first line ---- obviously U2 have prepared well for this routine and it shows. This is what many call the high point of most U2 shows. Why? Because the band, the orchestration, the lighting crew, and even the backstage musicians all work together in perfect unison. If U2 tries they can always get it.
Check out the Elevation WOWY, it seems "spontaneous" that Bono picks out a chick, but it is actually prepared for. During the rehearsals shown in the documentary, Bono was practicing even on the exact part of the floor where to lie down.
U2 are mostly prepared musicians, but there are just those momentary lapses where they lose focus and don't show their professionalism by giving lame versions, unrehearsed versions, lyric reading, etc. U2 are already pushing 50, maybe its time to add a bit more professionalism into their routine. And this can be done without sacrificing showmanship.
Cheers,
J