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  1. It's expected, Ron.

    As a matter of fact, I was thinking that I might make a compilation (just two or three CD's long as opposed to my usual four-disc compilations) from our reviews - in fact, maybe I'll a mix for each leg.

    For the record, the first leg is 16 shows long. Starts in Toronto and ends in East Rutherford (pretty much NYC).
  2. Great review Ron,it was worth the wait....I like how you started,with the songs playing over the PA,and the band "crossing the border"..nice touch......in complete agreement with your review....this show was weak,by PJs high standards...IMO,that might be the worst encore by this band..period.....I was wondering why my cd case had a bit of dust on it...this will happen again,but with alot more dust on it...I have placed it back on the shelf,not to be heard from again....

    On to Hartford !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  3. I'm already there - and gone!

    Hartford (2006-05-13)

    This one starts out the same way as Toronto 1 – “Severed Hand,” “World Wide Suicide,” “Life Wasted” (all three are solid) and “Marker in The Sand” (not as good). Once again, I think the intro to “Severed Hand” works very well to open a show. Unfortunately, when they play this one first there’s is almost no chance you’ll be hearing songs like “Oceans” or “Long Road” that night.

    A usually upbeat version of “Hail, Hail” follows but it’s “Animal” that is the highlight so far. Omitted from the two Toronto shows as well as Albany, it makes a grand entrance to the tour - LOTS of energy on this one. “Dissident” is the second of two straight Vs songs and as good/classic a song as it is, it doesn’t follow the pulsating “Animal” very well. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song but I just think that it works better after something a bit more subdued.

    “Unemployable” is played next. No further comment.

    Now...let’s go.....the two big ones from Vitalogy make an appearance – very solid performances in both “Corduroy” and “Better Man.” I’m sure many fans (both casual and hardcore) really appreciate hearing these numbers at this point.

    The two “returnees” from Ten, “Garden” and “Why Go” are next and they are placed very well in the set. However, one thing I’ve realized is that as great as “Garden” is, I don’t really like the pounding 2006 intro to it. I prefer the quiet start is gets nowadays.

    An awesome version of “I Got Id” follows and really keeps the momentum going while changing the style of the music at the same time. The obligatory “Even Flow” is next – I like EV’s call out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let Michael McCready take over” before MM’s solo. MM continues to show off his skills (both as a guitar player AND as a song writer) with “Inside Job.” I like the position of this song in the setlist.

    With the main set winding down, you can’t go wrong with “Black” and “RVM” to close. It’s always great to hear these two and I didn’t realize how long they were actually played – I just let myself listen to and enjoy the band members work together as a unit.

    The main set ends and at this point, it’s the best of the four shows so far. Unfortunately, the encores did quite maintain the same standard.

    EV picks away at his guitar until he remembers how to play “I’m Open.” I can’t say that I was “excited” to hear this one but it is in line with them trying to play more of their back catalogue in this tour and it’s nice they brought it, I suppose.

    The somewhat subdued mood continues with “Sleight of Hand,” one of the lesser known tracks from Binaural. I would gather only (some/many) of the diehard fans would have enjoyed this one. Casual fans would likely find this one a bit dull, as do I. I’ll say no more a I know that you like this one, Ed.

    EV announces that they are moving from “first to fifth gear” and they rip into ... “Comatose.” Not the song that I was hoping for. Maybe if they had played “Do the Evolution” instead (which is played next), the show would have regained some of the earlier momentum.

    EV begins the second encore by i) stating that the band didn’t play enough songs during the first encore and ii) introducing the band. He assigns various political positions to each member (Bono tends to do this kind of thing quite frequently with the members of U2 – the Rose Bowl DVD comes to mind). Oddly enough, it’s only 2006 (and they’re not in Chicago) but he states that Boom is the band’s Barack Obama - interesting, if anything.

    When they get around to playing music again, they rip into “Go” – awesome! That’s four of the heavy hitters from Vs on this night and I like it.

    Unfortunately, the curfew or something must be coming into effect soon as they don’t seem to play any longer than normal and finish with a rather “typical” finish of “Alive,” “RITFW” and “Yellow Ledbetter.” Great tunes, ho hum positioning. The crowd eats it up anyway – I’m sure I would have too if I was in attendance.

    Highlights: Animal, Corduroy, Better Man, Black, RVM, and Go (I’m stuck in the 1990’s)

    Overall Rating: Four Stars
  5. Interesting article Matt,and that was a solid review of Hartford.......looks as if U2 have been in the studio since 360 ended..say Aug/Sept '11 ?..I was not aware of them being in the studio for that length of time.Kinda nervous about Danger Mouse producing my boys....this month is my 30th anniversary as a fan of U2.I still have my New Years Day 45 single..must getting old huh..lol

    As far as PJ...I wont even go into one of my rants..it is what it is...I will hope for the best,but prepare for no new material....
  6. i come some months after for the 30th anniversary hehe
    about the producer of U2 .. i think that among all the names made in the last years (will i am .. redone.. guetta..) the mouse should be the less danger hehe ... he already produced some interesting stuff.
    my dream for Butch Vig, Jack Endino, Brendan O'Brien or Steve Albini to produce the boys is going to remain in my bedroom hehehe

    (like i said i'll read the review after i write mine : )
  7. My U2 fan-dom began in 1987, so I guess I'm on year 26.

    PJ started in 1992 so last year was my own PJ20. That said, we a a bit of a separation from 2000 to 2006. We've made amends, however.
  8. You made up for it Matt....lol

    I think (hope) U2's next release is more in line with Bomb..straight up like Vertigo,Crumbs and Love & Peace....same goes for the next tour.I dont think they can top the spectacle that was 360..and it was a spectacle,as well as extraodinary I admit........just break it down,and go back to arena',s and couple of video screens...the basic's...

    (I know this is PJs topic space,but this is a U2 site..so Id imagine, U2 can be talked about anywhere on here ..LOL)
  9. Originally posted by clover68:i come some months after for the 30th anniversary hehe
    about the producer of U2 .. i think that among all the names made in the last years (will i am .. redone.. guetta..) the mouse should be the less danger hehe ... he already produced some interesting stuff.
    my dream for Butch Vig, Jack Endino, Brendan O'Brien or Steve Albini to produce the boys is going to remain in my bedroom hehehe

    (like i said i'll read the review after i write mine : )


    Your as old as me then... ..LOL

    I would welcome Lillywhite solo ..he recently went back to DMB,and the album is fantastic.He produced DMB's first 3 releases,as well as U2s....Eno/Lanios acted as if they were doing everything and leading the band (U2) around by their noses....some of Bombs best tracks were produced by Lillywhite I believe....we will see,maybe an October '13 release for U2,and a massive 2014 tour ??
  10. I didn't realize that Lillywhite was with DMB - interesting. Maybe PJ should give him a try.

    (I've finished both 2006 Chicago shows by the way - and a review for the first show.)
  11. Woa,slow down Matt....let me post Hartford today....
  12. Even when I get reviews done (assuming I maintain this pace - which is unlikely) I will not post the next one until the two of you have posted yours.

    That said, I think we have a five-star candidate coming up!
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