U2: The Edge (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Bono (vocals, guitar); Adam Clayton (bass); Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Una O'Kane, Nicola Cleary, Aengus O'Connor, Nicholas Milne (strings); The Memphis Horns (horns); Joey Miskulin (organ); Benmont Tench (keyboards); Ms. Bobbye Hall (percussion); Rebecca Evans Russell, Phillis Duncan, Helen Duncan (background vocals).
Producers: Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite, Jimmy Iovine.
Engineers include: Kevin Killen, Paul Thomas, Flood.
Digitally remastered by Arnie Acosta.
They burst onto the scene at the onset of the '80s with a majestic, uplifting, earnest approach and a unique textural sound that endeared them to fans and critics alike. U2 spent the rest of the decade growing up in public, solidifying their status as post-punk icons, marrying the good intentions of old school alternative rock with the epic sonic scale of classic '70s rockers, never sounding less than totally original and never pausing for a hits compilation--until now. BEST OF offers a good representation of the complex body of work that made the band a legend.
Fittingly, the album begins with the debut's "I Will Follow" a statement of commitment to pursuing truth and spirituality despite continual and inevitable misgivings. "Desire" mates Bono's lyrical fervor with a modified Bo Diddley beat to fine effect. New world meets old on the bluesy B.B. King collaboration "When Love Comes to Town." Closing things out, "All I Want is You" shows the moody, reflective side of the band, giving Bono a chance to croon and the rest of the band to exhibit the understated side of their instrumental might.
What the critics say...
Entertainment Weekly (12/11/98, p.80) - "The martial snares and boyish histrionics that made them one of the world's biggest rock acts have held up pretty well..." - Rating: B
