U2 – BBC IN CONCERT 1981 (CD)

Description

Paris Theatre, London, England 23rd August 1981

　U2 in 1981 scaled up every night with each live performance, climbing the ladder of success. Here comes the ultimate soundboard album that will blow your mind right into your brain.

　This work permanently preserves two performances. It is a stereo soundboard recording coupling “August 23, 1981 London Performance” and “January 23, 1981 Belfast Performance.” At the time, they were in the midst of selling out and actively appeared on radio and television. Numerous soundboards and pro shots remain, and we have carved out as many as possible in our shop. In addition to organizing the collection, let’s first take a bird’s-eye view of their activities at the time.

●1981
“BOY Tour”
*January 23rd – February 21st: Europe #1 (22 performances) ←★Second half of this work★
・March 3rd – May 31st: North America #1 (57 performances) ←※BAYOU CLUB 1981
・June 6th – 9th: Europe #2 (3 performances) ←※PINKPOP FESTIVAL 1981
“OCTOBER Tour”
*August 16th – August 31st: Europe #3 (5 performances) ←★First half of this work★
{October 12th release of “OCTOBER”}
・October 1st – November 4th: Europe #4 (29 performances) ←※ROCKPALAST 1981
・November 13th – December 13th: North America #2 (23 performances) ←※LIDO BEACH 1981, etc.
・December 20th + 21st: London (2 performances)

[First half: The official masterpiece “IN CONCERT”]
Boy (5 songs): I Will Follow / An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart / Twilight / Out of Control
Others (3 songs): 11 O’clock Tick Tock / With A Shout (★) / Rejoice (★)
*Note: Numbers marked with “★” are early numbers that have not been performed since the “WAR Tour”.

　This is U2 in 1981. The tours change depending on the time of year, but the main London recording for this work was the second performance of “Europe # 3” just before the release of “OCTOBER.” “Europe # 3” was a promotional tour in conjunction with the release of the album, and this day was recorded for the prestigious BBC’s “IN CONCERT (broadcast on October 3, 1981).”

　It’s a long-standing staple of famous broadcasts, but this work is its pinnacle. It’s the best master provided by overseas U2 researchers, and its quality is unquestionably “completely official”! Although it may be called official, it actually ranges from bonus tracks to historical masterpieces, but this master is undoubtedly a masterpiece. Not only is the sound quality perfect, but the mix balance is also beautifully balanced, the effects are precisely arranged, and the vivid stereo feeling is extremely beautiful. As expected, it’s “IN CONECRT” that even the prestigious BBC has a signboard…

[Second half: “ROCK GOES TO COLLEGE”, which can also be considered a live version of BOY]
・BOY (8 songs): The Ocean/An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart/Another Time, Another Place (★)/(The Cry) The Electric Co./I Will Follow/A Day Without Me (★)/Out of Control
・Single (1 song): 11 O’clock Tick Tock
*Note: Numbers marked with “★” are early numbers that have not been performed since the “WAR Tour”.

　Next (in reverse order) was the Belfast recording, which was also the first day of “Europe #1”. This was also recorded for the BBC TV program “ROCK GOES TO COLLEGE”.

　Like the London recording, this is a “completely official” masterpiece created from the best master by a researcher. However, this one has a different personality and feels like a “top-notch excavation.” “ROCK GOES TO COLLEGE” features a raw sound with almost no processing, and this recording is full of that awesomeness. While not as polished as the London recording, its rawness is portrayed with the most beautiful quality. It’s a treasure that will imbue your brain with the unique early stage of “live performance boy.”

　This is a completely official soundboard album that combines two of the BBC’s most famous broadcasts. It’s a permanent preservation of the best masters known only to researchers, and it’s a must-have album to share alongside “BOY” and “OCTOBER.” Enjoy the spirited young U2 anytime and anywhere with this album.

★A stereo soundboard recording coupling “In Concert, August 23, 1981” and “Rock Goes to College, January 23, 1981.” This is the best master provided by an overseas U2 researcher, and is unquestionably “completely official.” The famous program “In Concert” in particular not only has perfect sound quality, but also a beautifully balanced mix, precise effects, and a vibrant stereo feel. Even by official standards, this is an absolute masterpiece.

(67:12)
Paris Theatre, London, England 23rd August 1981
1. 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
2. I Will Follow
3. An Cat Dubh
4. Into the Heart
5. With a Shout (Jerusalem)
6. Twilight
7. Out of Control
8. Rejoice

McMordie Hall, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland 23rd January 1981
9. Intro
10. The Ocean
11. 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
12. An Cat Dubh
13. Into the Heart
14. Another Time, Another Place
15. The Cry – The Electric Co.
16. I Will Follow
17. A Day Without Me
18. Out of Control

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING