(Finished August 23rd, 2017) The 30th Anniversary of U2's "The Joshua Tree": Part 1

Hello,

On March 9th, 1987 the world was introduced to U2's "The Joshua Tree". This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most classic CDs of the 80s. I'll be post two blogs about this great CD, for part 1 I'll post the songs from the original CD. For part 1 I'd like to find a pretty straight forward version, but also a bit unusual version of most of the songs. For part 2, I'll cover the 20th Anniversary Remastered Edition.

"The Joshua Tree" was U2's 5th CD, but the one that took them to the next level. Before this CD, they were best known for the songs "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Pride (In The Name of Love) and "New Year's Day". Probably one of U2's biggest things that separated them from that sort of new wave/ kind of obscure band was their performance at Live Aid on July 13th, 1985. Their set was highlighted by Bono venturing into the crowd at Wembley Stadium during "Bad". That's not something that he could do now. In bad Bono works in tags of "Ruby Tuesday", "Sympathy For The Devil" and Lou Reed's "Walk on The Wild Side".

As it was 30 years ago, U2's lineup is the same:

• Bono – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica (1976–present)
• The Edge – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1976–present)
• Adam Clayton – bass guitar (1976–present)
• Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion (1976–present)

Neither one of this CD's first two songs are some of my favorite U2 songs. 1) "Where The Streets Have No Name":

Muse's version of this song with special guest The Edge:

2) "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For":

The lyrics version:

Some of pop music's best lyrics. 3) "With or Without You":

Amy Lee, of Evanescence, cover of "With or Without You":

4) "Bullet The Blue Sky": U2 how do you feel about Trump?

As Mojo magazine pointed out, this whole CD feels just as relevant as it did back when it was first released, although Ronald Reagan is several steps above the person who currently calls himself the president.

5) "Running To Stand Still":



A tribute to Chris Cornell in this live version:



6) "Red Hill Mining Town":



Just a few months ago in Vancouver:



7) "In God's Country":



Live from 1987 and Paris:



8) "Trip Through Your Wires":



Live from 1987 and Pittsburgh:



9) "One Tree Hill":



Live from 2014 and Seattle:



10) "Exit":



Live from earlier this year in Chicago:



11) "Mothers of the Disappeared":



From 1987 and Tempe, Arizona, either the first or second time U2 played this song live:

themusicaddict