A perennial biggie on the U2 wish list, the full-length version of the Irish rockers' seminal live concert film U2: Live at Red Rocks—”Under a Blood Red Sky” makes its long-awaited DVD debut in this remastered standalone DVD version (also available in a new CD/DVD combo for $34.98). Directed by Gavin Taylor (who also supplies a somewhat repetitive commentary track), this June 5, 1983 rainy performance filmed at Colorado's famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre was, as Taylor remarks, “no ordinary rock concert.” Commanding a sparsely decorated stage, a youthful, exuberant Bono shouts out his Dubliner's rebel yell absent the postmodern irony that would appear in later years (e.g., U2: Zoo TV—Live from Sydney [VL-1/07]), and The Edge serves up his trademark choppy guitar riffs and occasionally moves to the piano (or, on “New Year's Day,” plays both simultaneously), while both frontmen are ably backed by the steady beat of Adam Clayton's bass and Larry Mullen Jr.'s drums. On their first American tour to promote the release of 1983's War, U2 delivers a blistering 17-song set full of early material now rarely played aside from the hits “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year's Day.” Highlights include the iconic image of Bono planting a white flag on stage during “The Electric Co.”, a boisterous “I Threw a Brick Through a Window,” the foot-tapping “Gloria,” and the encores for “I Will Follow” and “40.” Although casual fans may only recognize the aforementioned two signature songs and maybe “Two Hearts Beat As One,” the faithful will be thrilled with this classic concert, presented in DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and PCM stereo. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)
U2: Live at Red Rocks—”Under a Blood Red Sky”
(1983) 82 min. DVD: $19.98. Universal Music Group (avail. from most distributors). Volume 24, Issue 1
U2: Live at Red Rocks—”Under a Blood Red Sky”
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