Search - U2: The Joshua Tree on DVD

Much Better Than I Anticipated

E. Yeakley | USA | 03/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was little apprehensive buying this DVD sight unseen. I was afraid that this was going to be a collection of videos from the "Joshua Tree" album, with perhaps some stock footage thrown in to make it look like a documentary. I was pleasantly surprised.The producers sat down recently (probably while making the new U2 album) with U2, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Flood and discussed in detail all that went into making this album. Bono and Lanois even play back the master tapes to show instumentations and vocals that weren't included in the final mix. The Edge also breaks down the master for "Where the Streets Have No Name" and discusses how the song evolved, and shows all of the different guitar parts included in the final mix. I found the whole DVD fascinating. I only wish that it had lasted longer (60 minutes). My hope is that maybe some of the magic that went into the production of "The Joshua Tree" will find it's way onto the new album..."

Great footage and interviews

E. Yeakley | 03/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit that I didn't have high expectations for this DVD. I imagined a lot of old interviews and video footage of the band and not much else. However, when I watched the DVD, I was pleasantly surprised. This DVD was made in the last two years...interviewing all of U2, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Steve Lillywhite and Paul McGuiness. There is also an interview with designer Steve Averill and photographer Anton Corbijn about the sleeve work. Lanois, Bono and Edge sit down at the mixing console and pull out the old 2" recording tape to listen to the old mixes of many of the songs. I also found it humorous to watch Bono wince as he listened to some of his old vocal tracks from the album's recording. Edge even pulls out the guitar and plays along to the end of With or Without You. He also plays the original 4 track recording of "Streets" that he made. There are also a great deal of unique short clips of the band...most notably one of U2 performing "Mothers of the Disapeared" in Chile (with some of the actual mothers of the disappeared) a couple years ago. Yes, it is short, but still worth the time and money. The DVD doesn't cover all the songs, leaving out One Tree Hill, In God's Country, Trip Through Your Wires and Red Hill Mining Town. It was interesting though to learn how songs like Exit and Mothers of the Disappeared were created. This DVD is a must for die-hard fans."

I guess you have to be a musician to understand

Daniel | Orange County Ca United States | 11/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To those expecting Joshua Tree videos: Given that there were only 5 videos made for Joshua Tree Songs (With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found, Red Hill Mining Town, and Spanish Eyes) why the hell would one include already released video material on a "making of" style documentary!? BTW, most of these videos can be found on U2's Greatest 1980-1990 VHS and videos for all other tracks are nonexistent.To those expecting live or studio action: This is a documentary, displaying the action behind the mixing console and in the sound room where all tracks were laid down. So of course it's only fitting to have Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Steve Lillywhite, and Flood guiding the viewer through the recording and mixing processes while each band member embellishes with their own personal experiences and memories of those landmark recording sessions. Tidbits of live action and additional video footage are interspersed with studio interviews and commentary. The comments by world famous photographer Anton Corbijn and Marketing Agent Steve Averill add further flavor to this DVD by telling the story behind the album artwork and photographs, as well as the significance of the Joshua Tree itself. To Musicians and True Fans: Insight into the making of the Joshua Tree is like insight into the creation of the universe. The work, heart, and committment put into the making of this musical work of art is faithfully documented. If you play an instrument and or do some recording you'll more than appreciate what this DVD has to offer. True fans will be delighted in visiting the realm where all the magic took place. But please recognize that most audio releases have time limits...this is not a theatrical release. Albeit 60 minutes doesn't do the entire album justice, but provides insight to a majority of tracks. A documentary implies commentary and insight, articulated by all those involved in the recording process."

Ready for the laughing gas

V.G. Asgeirsson | Europe | 03/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember how Joshua Tree transformed U2 into superstars. Before, they had been on the same level as the rest. Duran Duran, Ultravox etc. The music was different, but they were one of those post-punk bands, and that was it. Joshua Tree changed all that. As the other bands were dying a slow and painful death, U2 exploded. It was and is a great album and this DVD only enhances that experience.The only vice I could possibly find is that it's short. 60 minutes is not a lot of DVD. Including the Sweetest Thing video was a neat thing, but I would have liked to see the rest as well. I guess they want you to buy Best of 1980-1990, but then they better release that. Why was that only released on VHS?I'm ready for the laughing gas. I want some ZooTV stuff on DVD... soon.A great, short DVD, well worth the money if you like U2 or are interested in how albums are made."