Playing For Change:Songs Around The World

Playing for Change began a decade ago, the brainchild of Grammy-winning music producer and engineer Mark Johnson. For ten years Johnson and his team traveled the globe, with a single-minded passion to record little-known musicians for what would become Playing for Change - its name evoking the coins thrown to street musicians as well as the transformation their music inspires. They went to New Orleans shortly after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "The city felt sad and desolate, yet the music never stopped," says Johnson. "The street musicians and music in the clubs kept the city alive and gave it a sense of hope." When they visited South Africa and witnessed its growing pains in the aftermath of apartheid, "we saw that people marching down streets singing in groups of thousands did more to effect positive change than any weapons ever could."
In this album, Bono has contributed with a cover of Bob Marley´s War/No More Trouble.
The album can be bought in Amazon or in Playing For Change Store.

Bono and Edge, Turn Off The Dark

U2.com says that...

Bono and Edge joined Julie Taymor in New York a few days ago to preview 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' which is set to open on Broadway early next year.

'It's fun for us to work in a different idiom than we're used to,' explained Bono. 'It's great to not be writing for the first person and to step inside some of these fantastic characters.'

The Spider-Man preview, hosted by Julie, Bono and Edge, took place at The Times Center and this is what we learned.

1. 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' will open at Broadway's Hilton Theater on February 18th next year, and previews begin on January 16th.

2. It's directed by Julie Taymor ('The Lion King' and Beatles movie 'All Across The Universe' in which Bono played Dr Robert ) and written by Julie with Glen Berger.

3. The narrative 'follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down - literally - when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek, suddenly endowed with astonishing powers, soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character.'

4. Costumes are by Eiko Ishioka (Coppola's 'Dracula' and the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony) and according to one early reviewer, they are 'breathtaking'.

5. Edge and Bono have written all the music and lyrics and eight of the songs were previewed by a group of actors, including: 'Bouncing off the Walls', 'Turn off the Dark', 'Bullying By Numbers' and the ballads 'Rise Above' and 'Boy Falls From the Sky'.

source:www.U2.com

U2 360° Tour in Latin America

It was almost unbelievable that after the huge success of the Vertigo Tour in Latin America(you have just to check U2 3D), U2 wouldn´t play in the south of the American Continent.
According to MTN Latinoamérica, the tour will close in October 2010 in Latin America.
Paul McGuinnes, U2 manager, said that they have planned to reach 100 concerts in big stadiums due to the structure and details of the stage.
And now a bit of a complaint...it would be so nice that countries that have never seen U2 Live were incorporated to the tour, to name a few...Peru or El Salvador where there´s a huge campaing called "U2 Vení"(U2 Come) to foster the coming of the superband...

source:www.mtvla.com

Oldie but Goldie

Lately we´ve had so much material about the "guys" that we can´t complain. So these videos in the BBC that are only about a month old seem old...But they are so funnyand fresh that I guess it´s good to see them again or for the first time.

BBC-U2-Live Lounge with Radio 2 DJ,Chris Evans...




Sally, lucky girl, did you ever think who would give you a massage???





The secret gig on the rooftop is revealed...



source:www.bbc.co.uk

The Edge´s Design

The Edge and his daughter have designed a bold geometric multi-coloured pattern tie which is part of a Limited Edition Collection exclusively produced by Contemporary English tailor Gresham Blake .The tie is 100% silk and has been hand woven in England.The money obtained for its sale is for CLIC Sargeant.
CLIC Sargent wants to see a world where all children and young people with cancer live life to the full. We will be there for each family, caring every step of the way, providing individual support to children and young people with cancer and leukaemia and their families through: -Clinical, psychosocial, emotional and financial services in hospital, at home and in the community across the UK -Being a strong voice nationally and locally -Research into improving treatment and care

The tie can be bought in e bay:

Bono in Washington

U2 frontman Bono paid a visit to the U.S. Capitolon 31 March to promote Third World relief efforts. He met GOP Leader John Boehner.

"Bono was quite the diplomat during the discussion. Gracious, polite, funny, well-spoken, well-informed, and expressing what seemed to be a sincere appreciation for America. He had nothing but good things to say about the compassion of the United States and the good work that has been accomplished in Africa in large part as a result of American generosity. He spoke positively of his work with both Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as the late Sen. Jesse Helms and former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. He said his purpose in coming to the Hill today was to thank congressional leaders on both sides for what has been achieved to date in terms of helping save lives and educate children in Africa, and to urge that these efforts continue to the extent possible despite the serious economic challenges America is facing."

There was an interesting exchange between (Michigan) Rep. Thad McCotter and Bono during which McCotter talked about Bobby Kennedy's vision of community activism versus Lyndon Johnson's. LBJ, according to McCotter, advocated "top down" charity (i.e. big government forcing it on folks from the top down), while Bobby Kennedy differed and said you should start small with families and churches and local groups and build from there. Bono was intrigued by this and asked McCotter if he could echo it. McCotter said "sure, I haven't had it copyrighted."

Boehner had to leave for a speech, while the rest of the members stayed to continue the discussion. As Boehner walked out the door he saluted and said "Bono, thanks!" Bono thanked him back and gave what appeared to be some kind of peace gesture. Then Bono took photos and signed autographs for members and a few staffers who managed to squeeze into
the room.

source:www.cleveland.com

Another interview!!

Pitchfork Media (Chicago) made a two part interview with the band.Interesting to hear them talking about NLOTH as the future .
Bono:" Right now there is so much fear about the future, people losing their jobs, people getting angry... but Get On Your Boots opens with the line 'The future needs a big kiss' and I hope that our optimism as a band is the right tone for now, it is a defiant tone..."

And as the comments say:" What's most striking about watching Bono, the Edge, and Adam Clayton discuss their history and new album is how much they seem like regular guys-- give or take a Bob Dylan anecdote." Parts 1 and 2 up now.











source:http://pitchfork.com/tv/http://u2.com