Customer Reviews

Pickin' on U2

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I like this album. It sounds to me like some bluegrass guys picked up a songbook (which just happened to have U2 songs in it) and started playing. Each song is true to the original, but the instrumentation is all mandolines, guitars, fiddles and banjoes.

I was very pleased at the balance of this tribute. Too much improvisation would have irritated me, because the songs they picked can't help but remind you how much you like U2. (In a good way, you can tell they like U2 as well.)

I was raised listening to my dad's bluegrass records on Saturday mornings while he made pancakes. During the week, my dad's friends would come over with their guitars, and we'd all sing. This tribute is great because the instruments and the band are both so close to me.

My dad is not familiar with U2, but I am considering getting this for him. I think he will appreciate the sound, and it will be fun for me to share the music of a band I like so much.

What this really shows us is just how much U2 has always been influenced by American bluegrass and country. Out of the several attempts to cross genre's with U2's music, this one works best because their music already seems so filled with bluegrass touches. This makes for a very interesting listen, and never seems out-of-character the way the other cross-genre tribute albums have. Very interesting . . .

This is a great cd. Bluegrass music does have a bit of an irish background. So it makes perfect sense. Some of the songs seem to have a bit of a celtic sound which is really pretty. This comes highly recommended.

If you are a fan of bluegrass music and a fan of U2, then you will absolutely love this CD! It is laid back listening. It is great for those dinner party music times and for listening in your computer at work. I love mine!

I bought this as a Christmas present for a friend who is a HUGE U2 fan as am I. We opened it up right away and LOVED it! If you are a U2 fan you will enjoy this album!

Melodies and harmonies are true to the original, but conveyed through the lush and lustrous instrumentation of bluegrass music. Despite the absence of a vocalist, the original meaning of each song is conveyed with refreshing honesty and down-to-earth accessibility. Bluegrass fans may be disappointed by some concessions made to rock, but otherwise ALL of these covers are beautifully and tastefully done.

I love U2, and thanks to this album I now love Bluegrass. Man, I wish that make a tribute to The Police, Peter Gabriel, and Genesis. If you want to broaden your horizons, or just love the MUSIC of U2, buy this album.