[DISCLAIMER: every time I watch it, I find a new Favourite Part. Here's what I've collected so far.
]
First hit: WOWY, of course. More on that later...
Right now, *GASP* the segue from Bad into Streets. The fact that the unsuspecting NBA audience caught that...(can someone tell me exactly where NBC cut in??) makes it even more chill-worthy. The silhouette of Bono, arms raised, that long, soulful wail, and then the LIGHT, the white light, the communal power of that moment, the power of ONE -- oh Lord, I think the conversion of St Paul woulda looked like that if it had happened in an arena...
The DVD captures the electrifying energy of that whole song, the wide camera angles showing us a glimpse of what makes a GREAT show: lighting design, song, performance, crowd -- synergy. It shows (I hope) those who weren't there, how those of us who were there came away speechless.
At the end of the song, as the band gathers centre stage to say "good night," Edge claps, too -- overflowing, it appears, with gratitude and awe. I love that slow, small smile, as he shakes his head in bisbelief.
rewinding a little: at the beginning of Bad, after Bono has quietly sung the first verse --
...if I could, I would let it go... then he raises both hands:
Surrender... I find that gesture so moving. [It also epitomizes what moved me so at the concert I attended: Bono's quiet humility amid all that thunder and heat.]
A little later in the song, a moment much more subtle than Streets but just as deep: Bono's expression as he prepares to fall into the arms of the crowd. I'd seen a photo once of an expression like that, possibly during the same song, and was touched by it -- like someone picking up an wounded child...or someone about to -- well, jump off a building. (I'm not being facetious.) It's like he empties himself out, gazing almost mournfully on the faces in front of him. He lowers his eyes, drops his voice -- with a kind of resolve -- to sing,
Let it go. and then thrusts his weight into their waiting arms.
I also really enjoy the tight, almost abstract closeup on that whole sequence -- I try to discern whether or not Bono's entire weight is resting on their hands, but the camera doesn't really let me see enough to tell...but it doesn't matter! Because the sense of vertigo, of the "sea" moving beneath him, tells me what's going on for him, and what he is making of the song. The simple rhythmic image of all those outstretched arms, especially against his black leather, is a powerful composition unto itself.
Adam swaying with Stuck in a Moment, as supple as his own bass strings...
Larry during Walk On -- He's smiling and watching the far walls. It looks like the band really digs how the words scroll up the walls of the arena. They are enjoying their own show *L* their eyes like all of ours, wide with childlike joy... at a brilliant, beautiful piece of theatre.
Bono
after WOWY. Forehead pressed against the mike, his shoulders heaving.
In A Little While, when Bono and Edge are back to back, and the camera's on Edge's side. Edge is a rock, Bono soaring in silhouette, with perfect faith in Edge's physical and creative support. And then, at the end, when Bono holds the mike for Edge's sweet-soul finish... Is it just me, or is Edge's voice honey'd and glistening like never before?? Pure, choirboy notes...man!
(Now that you've all got your DVD's for Christmas, I expect to see a lot more discussion about it! Okay?
)
love y'all,
Deb D
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He set my feet upon a rock
made my footsteps firm
the greatest frontman in the world -- by truecoloursfly:
http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=1575