If you’re looking for something brand new by U2, this isn’t it. U2: Live At Red Rocks And Under A Blood Red Sky is, instead, a remastered version of live recordings done in 1983 during U2’s War Tour. The CD is only eight tracks long and features some B-sides, like "Party Girl,"
as well as some well-known tracks like "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
and "New Year’s Day."
Whether you know the tracks or not, they’re all from U2’s very early days and are a selection of tunes from their first three albums, a time when they were still little known in America.
Though some may wonder what the point is in picking up a CD that was recorded nigh thirty-years ago (and released previously), a quick listen will present the answer clearly. The recordings found here contain an amazing level of energy that is rarely found on today’s often over-produced records. The sound of fans screaming in the background doesn’t detract from the songs, as it can on some live recordings, but rather adds to the power that these songs present to the listener. Whether they’re enjoyed on a surround-sound stereo system or on basic laptop speakers, U2 shares with us the enthusiasm they were undoubtedly feeling while playing on that 1983 tour. And, as often happens with all historical recordings, a certain wow-factor comes along with listening to this with the knowledge that a short time later, U2 would become one of the best known bands in the entire world. Particularly scintillating is Bono’s live introduction of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," where he discusses how there’s been a lot of talk about the next song and proclaims that "This song is not a rebel song."
"New Year’s Day" is performed faster than fans of the produced version are used to hearing but it works nicely with the album’s overall enthusiasm.
Optionally, listeners can purchase a version of the CD that contains a DVD of "U2 Live At Red Rocks,"
also filmed live in 1983. Many may already be familiar with clips from the video, which was often broadcast on MTV in a time when the channel was still devoted solely to music and band promotion. Both the CD and the DVD can be purchased separately, as well.
No, it’s not new. But is it worth it? Most definitely. Fans of U2 will love to hear the band before they were superstars, and non-fans may join the former category after listening to this album.
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