Re: "Bad"

J ([email protected])
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 10:13:48 -0800 (PST)

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The Live Aid version of Bad is more famous because of it's theatrical
and historical significance more than for the music itself. The
instrumental was long a repetitive and when Bono came back, he was out
of breath. The sound engineers weren't able to capture the crowd
singing along with Bono quite "naturally." It was more like random
chants. Mic levels must've been too low with the crowd. Live Aid
"Bad" however is easily the best version to watch on video. But to
listen to in you car stereo would be a bore.

In that survey, more people probably chose the "Wide Awake" version
because of it's sound quality (it is after all an official recording)
but moreso because of the great vocal tone and vocal range Bono had in
this version. Hearing him sing "I'm wide awaaaaake" in this version
brings chills down anyone's spine. So much emotion. By the way, it
is a live verion from London. It is not a soundcheck. The soundcheck
song in Wide Awake is only "A Sort Of Homecoming." It's length is
perfect at 7:59... not too long or too short.

The Rattle and Hum verion is too predictable and lacks spontaneity.
It seems as if Bono was holding himself back to make sure he gets the
song right being aware it was filmed. He goes through two Ruby
Tuesdays and then tow Sympathy For The Devils. No crowd participation
here. Bono didn't allow. His voice was a little held back and
restrained. If you want a version of "Bad" with Bono giving his all
with reckelss abandon and pure spontaneity in the Joshua Tree era, try
listeing to Chicago `87. That is quite long also at 11:40 but it worth
every minute.

ZOO TV Bad usually ends with a segue into Bullet The BLue Sky so it
seems like those two songs always go together and Bad was quite short
there. Not much power anymore in Bono's voice. Teh Wembley verion
with J.Shankar on violins is an interesting version though and is in
my opinion the best ZOO TV Bad there is.

As for Popmart, Bono's voice is quite hollow already and Bad is
played two keys lower than the album version (whereas in all previos
tours, it was played only one key lower). Melbourne is teh best
version.

Hope this helps...

Cheers,

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