The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 20, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Music Club
• ASIN: B00000IISQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,565 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pride (In the Name of Love)

2. Even Better Than the Real Thing

3. Desire

4. Sunday Bloody Sunday

5. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

6. One

7. Angel of Harlem

8. When Love Comes to Town

9. New Year's Day

10. Two Hearts Beat as One

11. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses

12. All I Want Is You

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars High-school band plays U2, December 15, 1999

By 

Delme Herbert (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2 (Audio CD)

The music of U2 has never sounded worse that it does on this disastrous offering from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Most symphonic records fall completely flat; others really work (Kashmir: Symphonic Led Zeppelin) and others are simply awesome (Metallica's S & M). There are two reasons why this album fails: 1) U2's music simply does not cater to a symphonic treatment (Led Zeppelin and Metallica do) and 2) the arrangements are completely uninspired.

The versions of some of U2's classics like "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Years Day" and "One" are the same as the originals, except for some added instrumentation, and the addition of saxophones, oboes, trumpets and organs substituting for Bono's vocals. Amazingly, the world renown Royal Philharmonic Orchestra do not sound like a world class symphony on this album, they sound like a high school band.

A symphony should not use standard rock instruments like an electric guitar, electric bass and synthesizer for its renditions of rock and roll songs. The fact that symphonies lack these instruments is the whole point of symphonic records: it is suppossed to be a new and different interpretation. The RPO apparently does not feel the same way.

The RPO's guitarist, bassist and drummer all do weak imitations of the Edge, Adam and Larry (I'd list the names of the individuals who actually played these instruments, but the liner booklet fails to list the members of the orchestra). This trio is employed on all the songs, in effect acting as a pathetic substitute for the real U2. The proper symphony merely plays around them. As a result, the songs sound a lot worse than the originals they are emulating.

The only track that works here is "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses," and this is because the arrangement is different from the original version. The RPO's rendition is slower, filled with lush strings and is very romantic. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is a dud. The RPO messes up the opening drum pattern to "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (listen carefully) and they make Van Dyke Parks' grand arrangement for "All I Want Is You" sound completely lifeless.

The selection of songs is also a complete mystery. What is "Even Better Than The Real Thing" doing here? Did the RPO honestly think it would work? The same goes for "Two Hearts Beat As One." Why didn't they throw in "Mysterious Ways" while they were at it? "Running To Stand Still" has potential to work as a symphonic arrangement, as does "Exit" and "Mothers of the Disappeared" (all from The Joshua Tree). "40" from October could've worked too. Selections from POP that could have worked include "If God Will Send His Angels" and "Please."

"One" has worked symphonically prior to its appearance here. Maestro Michael Kamen's brilliant counter melody brought a new level of sublime beauty to the song. Here, "One" is reduced to a laughable attempt at one of the great songs of the decade. The bass line is played in a jazz style, which takes away from the seriousness of the song. Worse still, "One" degenerates at the end when the guitarist conjures up a lame Joe Satriani -type solo. Ugh.

Pride: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2 is a shining example of the detrimental effects of poor work ethic. The RPO rested on their laurels and failed to create any new, fresh or interesting arrangements; and those that they did create are flat out boring and uninspired. If a new symphonic U2 album ever appears further along down the line, let's hope Michael Kamen is at the helm.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing only when compared to the original, September 19, 2000

By 

Dan Diamond (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2 (Audio CD)

Sure, it's not going to substitute for picking up U2's greatest hits album, but the Royal Philharmonic does a pretty nice job. This isn't elevator music by any stretch; the orchestra's sound is well-defined, with mainly strings and horns meshing with various background instruments.

I'm a pretty big fan of the group and would rather put on one of their CDs over this one. "RFO plays U2" doesn't take a whole lot of chances and copies more than creates. But the album serves its purpose. It's soothingly mellow and lets one listen to U2's tunes without being distracted by lyrics--perfect ambient sound.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Coming Soon To An Elevator Near You..., February 14, 2000

By 

Adam C. Woehler (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2 (Audio CD)

I don't know where to begin with this disaster of a CD. I admit that when I saw the CD in the bin, I thought it was an interesting concept... if done well. This was not done well.

The RPO took some incredible songs by one of the greatest bands of all time and churned out a bunch of arrangements that High School marching bands will be using in upcoming competitions. I find it an insult as a fan of a still alive-and-kicking rock band to have their music turned into Lawrence Welk fodder.

Yet, it's still better than the "We Will Follow" tribute album if only for the cleavage-showing cellist on the Jewel Case artwork.