Pickin' on U2: A Bluegrass Tribute

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 31, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cmh Records
• ASIN: B00005LZP8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,408 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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• This item is part of The Pickin' On Series.

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The heart and soul of the music of megastars U2, Ireland's most successful pop progeny, has been righteously captured on Pickin' On U2. The famed quartet's style of minimalist composition with maximum sound is ideal for these bluegrass instrumental renditions. Often drawing from their Irish roots, U2 have delved into sounds ranging from folk to blues, roots rock, gospel and even a little country, which makes this an appropriate tribute both in spirit and in style.

The optimistic and hopeful yet darkly prophetic voice of U2's unforgettable tunes is paid superb homage by these remarkable musicians, from the politically charged ballads and uplifting anthems to the funky drive of their rock n' roll numbers. The counter-play of 5-string banjo and mandolin, fiddle and dobro, reflect the chiming guitar tones and modulations of The Edge as well as the passionate intensity of Bono's soul-searching vocals.

U2 have long been known for the depth of their songcraft and their propensity for reinvention. Pickin' On U2 breathes new life into the band's classic tunes with superb and haunting organic renditions.

Also check out CMH Records' Pickin' On U2 Vol. 2.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Homage, August 2, 2001

By	Ben Avery (Indiana) - See all my reviews

I've bought a couple of "homage" or reinterpretation CD's of U2's music. Of all of them, only one has really caught the flavour of U2 in a way that is unique and respectful. The others either have moments where they shine, or they fail miserably and are just plain painful to listen to. Only one CD manages to be fun throughout the entire album.

And that's Pickin' on U2.

I was hoping that it'd have vocals included, but the entire album is instrumental. At first, I thought it'd be like the other "reinterpretations" -- using an instrument to try to emulate Bono's voice just doesn't work.

But this CD does not try to do that. They've just taken the most popular U2 songs and rearranged them with Bluegrass instrumentation. It's obvious, listening to the CD, that the musicians and arrangers love the source material. But they don't try to copy it as exact as they can with different instruments (as other CD's like this tend to do, and end up sounding like a high school band concert performances as a result). Instead, they recreate it, taking the familiar tunes and playing with them. I found myself humming along with it and ,at some points, singing.

I enjoyed the whole CD. None of the songs were lacking. The CD is not pretentious or fake. It's just a lot of fun -- enjoyable if you just happen to like some of U2's songs or are intimately familiar with them.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Two, Will Agree!, August 13, 2001

By	Jake FOGERTY (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews

Over the last couple of years I have accumulated a number of these Pickin' On disks. There have been a couple that come to mind that I have used as coasters (Pickin' On: Santana & Bob Dylan) because of the poor rendition of their songs.

Now, on the other hand, this collection of U2 songs is my favourite of them all. I would have given it 6 stars if I could. This disk is the only one that I have taken to work to play on my computer. It gives me a lift and puts a smile on my face when ever I play it. I must warn you that it could get you fired if you aren't careful. There is a tendency to be distracted from your work, because of this fine piece of work. Do not operate heavy machinery or perform surgery during the playing of this disk. B^)

If you do not own any of the Pickin' Series, I strongly suggest that U buy this one. It's Bonofied as a winner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Tribute, October 26, 2002

By	Mark Adams (Redwood Estates, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of all the (U2) tribute albums I've purchased, this is pleasingly the best. The Joshua Tree tunes are particularly effective.