Chapter Five
lasting impressions of life, death and art
U2 - The Unforgettable Fire - band: U2
- from: Ireland
- members:
- Paul David Hewson aka Bono Vox of O'Connell Street - vocals
- David Evans aka Inchicore aka The Edge - guitar
- Adam Clayton - bass guitar
- Larry Mullens Jr - drums
- album: The Unforgettable Fire
- album released:
- time:
- tracks:
- A Sort Of Homecoming 5:26
- Pride (In The Name Of Love) 3:46
- Wire 4:15
- The Unforgettable Fire 4:55
- Promenade 2:30
- 4th Of July 2:11
- Bad 6:07
- Indian Summer Sky 4:15
- Elvis Presley And America 6:24
- M.L.K. 2:30
"
We were looking for something that was a bit more serious, more arty." - Adam Clayton.
album name
The name of the album comes from the name of the exhibition members of U2 saw at the Chicago Peace Museum during the War Tour.
the producer
The album marked a change of direction, a search for an different sound. With this they employed Brian Eno, the Edge was a fan of his work. Eno is known experimental, and ambient music. Eno was a former member of Roxy Music. Brian Ferry who was lead singer and leader envision the band as a collage of different musical styles, played at once. And even the band image consist of a collage of different fashion statements. It was Eno who portrayed a futuristic alien clad in sci-fi outfit and accessorized with feathers, providing space age sound effects on his EMS VCS. Acquiring it was happenstance for Eno. The eccentric artist Andy Warhol gave it to Eno after he saw the neglected contraption, inquired about it.
recorded at
The songs were recorded at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland. Recording in castles is nothing new to Rock bands. Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire, England was used for quit a few band. It is the architect of Slane with large rooms and high ceilings lend the natural spacious sound to the recordings. They started in the hall and later switched to the library.
gear
The Edge used an aged white Les Paul Custom and a Telecaster, and his main squeeze, a black 70s Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier. He also employs the use of a slide and e-Bow. Adam played a maple neck Jazz bass. And Larry's drum kit expanded at this point and uses Timbales in lieu of mounted toms and has a floor tom to the left of his snare. While Bono does crazy 80s dancing as he sings.
impressions
The title of the songs seem to have strong ties to American history and culture. The songs come from what Bono saw, read and experienced in America during the War Tour. It is a lovely and moody album. The music is subtle, atmospheric, with a melancholy tone.