Nothing new from DPAA this week \u2013 except for a blurb on their website saying they\u2019re affected by the 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus also. <\/p>\n
So instead, you get what follows. Consider yourself forewarned. (smile)<\/p>\n
. . .<\/b><\/p>\n
U2 released two absolutely excellent (and hugely different) albums in the late 1980s\/early 1990s<\/i> – namely, The Joshua Tree<\/i> and Achtung Baby<\/i>. Both are today (and were at the time) critically acclaimed; they\u2019re considered among the band\u2019s best. And both were hugely successful.<\/p>\n
But sandwiched between them, the band released a third album. While it was hugely successful, critics weren\u2019t as impressed.<\/p>\n
The album was in large part the band\u2019s reaction to and further exploration of American \u201croots\u201d popular music \u2013 soul, blues, gospel, early rock and roll, and rockabilly. Those influences are IMO clearly seen on parts of the album\u2019s studio work. Portions of the album (including two of the tunes featured below) were even recorded in Sun Studios in Memphis \u2013 yes those<\/u> Sun Studios, the same ones used by any number of American musical legends. <\/p>\n
The album also ended up being used as soundtrack for what started out as a video log\/small independent film about the band\u2019s Joshua Tree Tour. However, due to the project running over-budget (the band was funding it), the project soon morphed into a Hollywood-produced concert film with a moderately largish budget.<\/p>\n
Critics being critics, some were put off by the above. Many thought the band was equating themselves with their elders in American popular music vice honoring them.<\/p>\n
Regardless, the album was financially successful. And it includes some tracks that can IMO stand with anything the band\u2019s ever done.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not going to feature the most successful tune from the album, \u201cDesire\u201d. This rockabilly- and blues-inspired tune was a successful US single, topping the US charts. But I\u2019m going to feature three other tunes that weren\u2019t as successful \u2013 and are IMO as good or better.<\/p>\n
The first: U2\u2019s collaboration with blues legend BB King \u2013 which was released as a single, and peaked at #14 on US charts. It was recorded at Sun Studios.
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