Run away -- This CD is not what you're looking for
Ben Avery | Indiana | 04/30/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"...I listened to this CD, desperate to hear something good. Desperate that one of these songs would translate the songs of U2 into a haunting or rousing orchestral arrangement. The very concept sounded SO perfect.Instead, I got what sounded like a high school marching band. While technically good and precise, this CD had no emotion and no heart, and the arrangements were lackluster and unoriginal. Loud does not equal emotion.The only song that was even close to being worth listening to was All I Want Is You -- the arrangement on this CD closely follows the arrangment from the original.If you want some unique takes on U2, try Strung Out on U2 and Pickin' on U2. Both of those CD's take the original material and spin it, making use of the strengths of the new musical style (string quartets and bluegrass) to give a fresh look at familiar material. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, however, attempts to merely redo the original song using different instruments. Little or no creativity went into making this recording.On the other hand, if you want a high school marching band in your living room, by all means buy this CD.You've be warned."
Avoid, avoid, avoid
Andrew McCaffrey | Satellite of Love, Maryland | 06/15/2001
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I'm still really not sure what to make of this album. The liner notes spends far too much time talking about how difficult this was to perform on classical instruments and how U2's style of music doesn't really offer itself well to their format. This does not bode well. In fact, the result is an extremely tame collection of uninspired elevator versions of some of U2's best songs.One of the strangest things about this collection of music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the choice of instruments used. I would have thought that one of the main attractions of having an orchestra play rock music would be to hear how different instruments change the feel or tone of the song. This is what makes the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's choices so frustrating. Adam Clayton's bass-lines have all been replaced by... an RPO musician playing a bass guitar! Many of The Edge's guitar solos have been replaced by... an RPO musician playing an electric guitar! It's these sorts of decisions that prevent the album escaping from the realm of bland, soulless elevator music.It's not all bad, however, and there are a few gems buried inside the rest. Their cover of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is the Rattle & Hum version rather than The Joshua Tree and it appears that they made a wise choice. The more overt gospel/soul aspects translate much better than I suspect the original would have. There are one or two other high points but I'm afraid that they don't justify the purchase of this CD.It seems that the RPO had their work cut out for them here. While other rock'n'roll songs have had success at the transfer to the orchestral format, it's possible that U2's style of music really isn't suited for the medium. One wonders why this project wasn't cancelled when it became apparent that they were going to have to replace far too many of the electric sounds with the same type of instrument."
Another Editorial Review
Earl R. Sutton | Detroit, MI, USA | 11/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""With 1999's Pride [series], the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues paying tribute to classic rock bands. This time the group is U2, and over the course of 12 tracks the Philharmonic explores the band's musical nuances. Pride's track list spans U2's entire career, from early moments like the title track, 'New Year's Day' and 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.' Later songs like 'Even Better than the Real Thing' and 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?' are also represented, but the album's focus is on the passionate, searching music that some say comprised U2's finest hour. Classic rock interpreted with classical style, Pride gives U2's music a new and intriguing dimension. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide""
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
