Comments on: U2 – Wide Awake In Dublin (Godfather Records G.R. 427/428)

By: mojopin72

mojopin72 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:09:18 +0000

Eric, if you notice godfather has pressed u2 shows from Spain, Italy, France, Ireland and UK, all big countries, big markets and places with an old history for U2 and their fans, so I think that this is another reason for label’s choice further than setilists or single performance.
U2 are on tour every 4 years, they are not like Springsteen or Dylan so as I am a collector and fan too I am very happy if they release as many concerts as possible.
Some labels press several times same LZ shows on different editions, Godfather presses 7 U2 shows of current tours every 4 years…..I still don’t see why we should complain.
I find also the sound quality of their 7 titles from 2009 absolutely or really high standards, I don’t feel that they have done one title just cause they have to do it or for simple greedy reasons. I think that all these U2 releases have sense in my collection even if I could find more or less inspired a performance.
P.S. Floyd and LZ were inspired in very single perfomance of zillions silver cds available?

By: LedMan

LedMan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:20:31 +0000

Restart.. Reboot Yourself.. LOL!! J/k.. Personally I don’t see Godfather as a greedy label. They are quite reasonable for the quality and value of their releases. Just like some labels like to release and re release Zeppelin shows, Godfather’s main interests are U2 and Springsteen and their are collectors that want each and every show of both.

By: eric99

eric99 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:39:05 +0000

I agree with you mojo, that documenting a bands whole tour would be great. I’ve said this someplace. But it does cost money to do this and doesn’t mean every CD will sell. I know these makers don’t have buying a new Ferrari in mind by doing this. If anything, they probably started out by doing this just for thrill of sneaking something into a show. I used to do it with a camera, and again, having a lasting memory instead of an expensive t-shirt that will shrink in the wash.

By: gsparaco

gsparaco — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:38:46 +0000

A true collector and fan would want everything produced. I personally don’t collect U2, but I can understand and appreciate Godfather’s effort in documenting their current tour.

Every collector knows that there are differences in each concert. Even when the setlist remains there same, there are subtlties in performance, interprestation and subtext that are fascinating to discover. And shows that are deemed “substandard,” which the reviewer labels the Dublin show, are even more interesting.

Yes these titles serve as good souveniers for those who were there, but they are also valuable for any collector.

By: mojopin72

mojopin72 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:26:40 +0000

As told I am not totally agree with Eric about the quality of the performance but this is just a matter of taste even if I don’t think that someone could be unhappy buying a release with this sterling sound quality. In my opinion one of the best even considering the big stadium venue.
By the way I cannot really understand why Godfather records should restrain themselves with u2 titles !
I hope they will press more titles as possibles giving the chance to purchase shows from different important countries. What’s the problem if you can choose to buy shows from Spain, Italy, France and Ireland or UK?? Nobody is obliging you to buy all.
This label has done a big effort covering many shows of the tour and collectors can choose to buy one double for reasonable prices staying away from other ones.
I really don’t understand this polemic.
Would it maybe be better having just a couple of shows pressed? Then we would discuss about the quality of just 2 performances and we would not maybe be agree,,,,,
This is nonsense….

By: markg1

markg1 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:39:12 +0000

Thanks for the review. I agree with eric99: Some CD releases are best as a souvenir for fans who were at the show. For the rest of us, especially with so many shows already available from the tour and many more likely to come out, we would prefer a release to be a good recording of a good performance. GF will certainly releases more shows from this tour — let’s hope they can restrain themselves and put the greed on-hold so that fans who were not at the show are not disappointed with the quality of this purchase. Fans don’t have thousands of dollars/pounds/Euros available to purchase everything that is being released. I applaude eric99 for his thoughts about Paul’s voice.

By: eric99

eric99 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:24:59 +0000

It’s great to hear from someone who was actually at the show. Glad you posted, but I have to call it as I hear it.

By: mojopin72

mojopin72 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:09:36 +0000

Dublin july 27 is the only 3rd show in the same city during the entire 360° 2009 tour, so this could be the reason for a “tired” performance. By the way, I saw this concert and I don’t find the performance so uninspired as eric99 states.
Bono’s voice was not good as usual but he was absolutely generous adding BAD during the encores which wasn’t marked on the setlist and there a lot of great moments.
It’s true, many fans came from all over the world to see this gig, even if the real international shows were friday 24 and saturday 25 with at least the 30% of non irish crowd.
The sound quality of this double set is absolutely stunning.

By: LedMan

LedMan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:18:37 +0000

I believe this is a excellent AUD source. The band does sound tired however there are some great moments as mentioned above. I still appreciate Godfather documenting this tour and hope they continue.