U2

Go Home : Live From Slane Castle, Ireland

If I was to complain, my question would be “Why?” Why attempt to follow-up near perfection? Elevation 2001 DVD was, in this writer’s humble opinion, one of about 8 monumental events and defining moments in U2’s unbelievable and long career (the other 7 being War, Live Under A Blood Red Sky, The Joshua Tree, their performance of “Bad” during Live Aid, Acthung Baby, the Rattle And Hum movie, and the overblown extravaganza known as the ZooTV Tour). It could be argued that it’s not all about bettering yourself or going from one monumental moment to the next. Sometimes, as Pearl Jam so faithfully proved with dozens of official live bootleg releases, it’s just about delivering more output when it’s available in quality doses. This explanation sounds best.

12 of the 19 tracks here were recorded on the Elevation DVD, but the performances differ greatly in this homecrowd show with its stunning outdoor setting. The true U2 fan knows that a show in Ireland is something special for these guys (including older songs, like “Out of Control”), and this one does not let down. Just days after the passing of Bono’s dad and days before 9/11, this snapshot captures U2 in that fabulous tour’s prime. Seeing Bono rattle off the names of the victims of Ireland’s Bloody Sunday after the song of its tribute now serves as a precursor to the list of names projected behind the band of all the 9/11 victims. During the tail end of the song, he leads the audience in an adlib of:

Put your hands in the sky
put your hands in the air
If you're the praying kind,
turn this song into a prayer
x2
cuz we're not going back there
no more!
no more
no more
no more
no more
no more
no paratroops...

Hearing the mix is 5.1 surround is amazing and full. Loud or soft, it’s a knockout listen. Like one of those fill-in-the-blank credit listings ings, there’s even a special thank you moment that is directed at the true U2 fan. After thanking various parents of the band members for a couple 500 pound loans that kicked off the band’s recording career, Bono turns to the crowd and issues thanks, “cuz you’ve no doubt spent 500 pounds on us over time by now.” Some of Bono’s infamous profanity is present, albeit in the form of a prayer (in the song “Wake Up Dead Man”). In another thoughtful gesture for fans, they stuck the Unforgettable Fire documentary on here, as well as a bonus clip of “Mysterious Ways,” which only adds to the rich serving. I’m not complaining now. [Interscope | DV]

2 : Obscenities
95% : Spiritual Relevancy

This DVD review was originally printed in ISSUE 107 of HM Magazine.
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