u2: On and off again over the years

I am reading the book, U2 by U2, which details the bands history in their own words and pictures. I am a long time fan of the band, going back to the first LP, Boy. At the time, I was a young guitarist, learning the songs of the day by Toto, Journey, Pat Benatar and so on. I first heard the song Electric Co played on a new wave program on KQRS, and was taken by the simple guitar work of Edge and the passionate, yet off key vocals of Bono. In the summer of 1982, I was under the spell of the late, great Randy Rhoads, and playing in a rock band that was as far from U2 as you can get. I saw the video of Gloria on MTV and was very impressed with the haunting slide guitar of the Edge, which proved to me that you did not have to play as fast as you could to be an effective guitar player.

I am the same age as U2. They would have been classmates of mine. We listened to the same music and had the same influences. It has been interesting to watch them grow over the years, from the rough sounds of Boy, all the way to Vertigo. The band has won me over a few times and turned me away, as well.

I really got into U2 with War, in 1983. Live at Red Rocks captured this era. I stood on the stage at Red Rocks this year, and could only imagine what that rainy and cold night was like. So many great bands have played at Red Rocks and it is easy to see why it is magical. I wish I could have had my guitar with me that day!
Live at Red Rocks is an incredible video, and it is my favorite time of U2.

Brian Eno put his touch on Unforgettable Fire, an LP that is not considered on one U2’s best efforts. I disagree - it gave us Bad and Pride, and my favorite, A Sort of Homecoming. I can see why it may have been hard to play these songs live. They changed their sound radically here.

The Joshua Tree was the release that sent U2 into worldwide fame. It took me years to fully appreciate this disc. My 10 year old daughter loves it, and we share our favorite U2 song, Where the Streets Have No Name. In God's Country was considered a throw away songs by the band, but it is one of the top songs on the disc for me.

I liked the film Rattle and Hum and its soundtrack CD. But it was easy to see that they were taking themselves a bit too seriously. It was as if every little thing was profound and the band surrounded themselves in this cloak of depression and mystery.

Achtung Baby showed U2 tearing apart the The Joshua Tree sound, setting a darker mood, with songs like Acrobat and The Fly. Edge's guitar work became more aggressive and distorted. This disc grew on me, and took a few listens to get into it. I liked that the band was evolving and changing things up.

However, Zooropa and Pop did nothing for me. I did not like what they were doing and I moved away from U2. I was not really impressed with the concert video from this era, filmed in Mexico City. I could see what they were trying to do and that they were making fun of stardom and their own success. But is still left me cold.

All That You Can't Leave Behind was ok. It's a Beautiful Day was great, as was Elevation. I have yet to really explore this disc. but really like the DVD U2 Go Home: Live at Slane Castle concert, which was filmed shortly after the death of Bono's father. This DVD shows the band at their best, as they recreate a few songs from their first concert there in 1983.

How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb restored my interest in U2. I like just about every song on it, and really like what they have done.

It is amazing that U2 is still an important band, and one of the few bands from my youth to still be around. It is easy to see why they are the most famous band in the world. They have never done what is popular, and have done it their own way, even at the expense of their fans. Even though I did not care for a few of their discs, I have the utmost admiration for U2 for doing what they believe in.

Tal Wilkenfeld, Australian Bassist, finds success in america

I was watching the Jeff Beck part of the new Crossroads DVD a few weeks ago and was suprised that his bassist was the young Australian bassist, Tal Wilkenfled. Imagine being the bassist for Jeff Beck at the age of 21 and being able to keep up with someone of his caliber. He gives her lots of rrom to shine.

This is such a cool story: Tal comes to America as a guitar player while still in her teens, switches to bass and quickly rises up on the music scene in New York and has played bass with The Allman Brothers Band, Chick Corea, Jeff Beck,Wayne Krantz, Frank Gambale, O'teil Burbridge, Susan Tedeschi and many others. All of this and still in her early 20's. She also has her own solo CD, Transformation. It looks like she is in for a long, successful career by the sounds of her CD. This is a CD that will quickly find its way to my music collection.

Official Website: Tal Wilkenfeld.com

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