U2 – Future Needs A Big Kiss (Godfather Records G.R.389)

This 3 song performance for BBC Radio 1 Theatre is amazing.  The band sounds great and Bono’s vocals are superb. During the ending of Beautiful Day Bono sings Blackbird while The Edge plays a moody chord progression which results in a bum chord or two.  No worries though, the point still comes across.  Breathe was written to be played live and it will become a stadium tune for sure.

The Rooftop Concert, BBC Broadcasting House, London, Portland Place, February 27, 2009
04. Intro, 05. Get On Your Boots, 06. Magnificent, 07. Vertigo, 08. Beautiful Day

U2 mean business.  This 4 song set sounds huge.  This is U2 literally on top of the world.  This is the readio source for the Rooftop concert.  The Pro-Shot footage of this concert is featured on the DVD (Restart – Apocalypse Sound AS168).  The sound quality is crystal clear and the band are as tight as any band can be.  You cannot judge exactly how many people are on the streets below unless you pick up the Apocalypse DVD.  It’s mind blowing to see so many people at street level rocking out to a band they can’t even see but that’s the power U2 commands over their audience.

Somerville Theater, Somerville, MA March 11, 2009
09. Intro, 10. Get On Your Boots, 11. Magnificent, 12. Breathe, 13. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, 14. Vertigo

Another Radio stop for U2 and yet another powerful performance.  Due to having so many backing tracks the band sounds virtually the same every night.  Bono’s voice contains so much emotion during this performance.  The quality of this broadcast is pristine.  Vertigo starts off a bit slow but Larry quickly speeds up the tempo.

We Are One, Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, January 18, 2009
15. Pride (In The Name Of love), 16. City Of Blinding Lights

This performance was for President Obama and is also available on the DVD (Restart – Apocalypse Sound AS168).  It’s definitely a must see performance.  The band are tight and sound amazing as usual.

Hanover Quay Studio, Dublin, Ireland, February 3, 2009
17. No Line On The Horizon

This is an in-studio performance and sounds raw but powerful.  Bono’s voice cuts through and sounds great.  The Edge’s guitar tone is fitting for the song and definitely sets the overall mood of the song.

The O2, Dublin, Ireland, December 7, 2008
18. Van Diemen’s Land

This is a great version of this song, vocal flubs and all.  The vocal harmonies are a little rough at the beginning but soon fall into pitch.  This is U2 in the rawest form, yet still just as powerful.

This release is packaged in typical Godfather Records fashion with a great cover photo and many more black & white and color pics throughout the inside gatefold.  The quality of this release is exceptional and well worth seeking out.  I found this release to be a great companion to the official release.  Many thanks go to Godfather Records for continuing to put out great releases with great content.