portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Thursday, November 01, 2018

PASSENGERS

Now I may have said earlier here that I didn't get the Eno U2 produced projects and they are the only ones who I didn't follow for their involvement with Brian's work as a producer but hey, you can't have everything and rare though it is for me to actively dislike a band U2 mange to achieve that. From Brian Eno's involvement in this project was the only reason I paid any attention and the combination of rock group plus Brian's composing and the wondrous Pavarotti tenor voice is a stroke of joy and protest and genius that I did truly admire



Passengers (U2, Brian Eno & Luciano Pavarotti) - Miss Sarajevo Video 1995





Bono, The Edge, Brian Eno + Pavarotti - Miss Sarajevo & One 
(Pavarotti And Friends Live)
"Miss Sarajevo" was first performed 12 September 1995 at the annual Pavarotti and Friends concert in Modena, Italy. Bono, The Edge and Brian Eno joined Pavarotti on stage, with a complete orchestra, to premier the new Original Soundtracks 1 future single. All three dressed in black suits and white shirts and this was one of very few occasions where The Edge performed without his famous headgear. Anna Coleman, wife of Marc Coleman who works closely with the band, wrote the Italian libretto for the track. Roughly translated by Bono, the lyrics read:

"You say that like a river finds its way to the sea/ You will find your way back to me/ You say that will find a way/ But love I'm not a praying man/ And in love I can't wait any more."-Bono

In addition to the Pavarotti and Friendsperformance, the song was played once on U2's 1997 PopMart Tour in Sarajevo with Brian Eno. U2 was the first band able to host a concert in the city since the end of the war, and the band was very pleased to be present there at the time. As per the Sarajevans' request, the show was not a benefit concert, and the band performed just as they did in any other city on the tour. The actual winner of the Miss Sarajevo pageant, Inela Nogic, was present at that show, and was escorted to the concert with the band themselves. Bono lost his voice during the concert, and unfortunately messed up during the performance of "Miss Sarajevo," and said afterwards, "Sarajevo, this song was written for you. I hope you like it, because we can't fucking play it."
In reference to the performance, Larry Mullen, Jr said, "That [was] an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life. And if I had to spend 20 years in the band just to play that show, and have done that, I think it would have been worthwhile.

Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day
Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for curling hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear
Here she comes, oh oh
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown
Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colors
Different names you find it hard to spell
Is there a time for first communion
A time for East Seventeen
Is there a time to turn to Mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen
Here she come, oh oh
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

"DON'T LET THEM KILL US"

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