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Movie Reviews:

Classic Albums - U2 - Joshua Tree

Eagle Rock Entertainment - 2006

U2's huge success The Joshua Tree is discussed in this brilliant DVD series from Eagle Rock Entertainment.  The genesis of the album is recalled by all four members of the band and the two producers who helped make this album.

Co-Producer Brian Eno says in the mid-80's most artists were making music that was cool.  Something he felt put the audience at an arm's length away from being intimate.  So when they made this album, he was concentrating on trying to make the album not cool but rather closer to touching the listener.  He challenged everyone to listen to the songs closely and compare them against what was being made at the same time.  You will definitely see what he means.

Bono sits with Co-Producer Daniel Lanois to go over "With Or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Lanois plays tracks that were used and some that were not to give you a much better idea of how the songs came together.  It's really unusual hearing some of the alternate guitar parts The Edge played that were not used.  Some of these guitar parts were vastly different from what ended up being used in the mix.

The Edge plays and remembers how he came up the riff for "Where The Streets Have No Name."  He had recorded the original ideas on cassette tapes and brought them in for the band and producers to select from.  Co-Producer Brian Eno wanted to destroy the master tape when the mix became so convoluted and confusing that he felt it might be better to start from scratch.  That's hard to believe considering this song has become when of the most recognizable U2 songs ever.

Manager Paul McGuinness describes how this album made the band into rock superstars.

The story behind the music video for "Sweetest Thing" was Bono's apology to his wife for forgetting her birthday.

Packed with reminiscences and powerful performances, including live footage and music video clips, this is the story of one of the most famous and best records of the Eighties.

www.eaglerockent.com