U2 / Rock Werchter Festival 1982 / 1DVDR

U2 / Rock Werchter Festival 1982 / 1DVDR / Non Label
Festival Grounds, Werchter, Belgium 4th July 1982 PRO-SHOT

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The main press CD is a complete version of the soundboard that was also used in the official single, and is the highest peak updated version supervised by researchers. It is an absolute live album that is exactly “official substitute”. As I mentioned in the commentary, this show is known not only for FM broadcasting but also for TV broadcasting, and its professional shot video has become a staple. Therefore, we decided to include a bonus so that you can collect the best masters of the live album version and the video version at once.
That’s why this work was shot at the same “July 4, 1982 Rock Werftel performance” as the main press CD. It is the multi-camera pro shot. As mentioned above, it is one of the classic images that have been known for a long time, but this work was made into a DVD from the highest peak master. As expected, it is not possible to advertise as “completely official class!” With the modern standards of the digital prime just because it is an air check in the analog era, but if it is the standards at that time, you can bark with all your might. The best thing is the master freshness. Although the analog feel is undeniable in terms of pixels, on the other hand, there are almost no dubbing marks or aged deterioration. There is no white line noise or distortion due to running, and there is no stiff feeling peculiar to analog dubbing.
The spectacle of the large crowd makes you keenly aware of its power. Since U2 performed at high sun, the outdoor audience seats that were tightly packed in every corner were clearly visible. When the master freshness of this work is added there, you can see clearly and vividly the expressions of each and every audience member. The wide and detailed spectacle is wonderful.
Of course, Bono’s true face, which was exhilarated by seeing such a crowd of people, was also delicate. I enjoyed youthful performances and singing voices even on the main press CD with only audio, but the video is dozens of times more persuasive … no, hundreds of times more. As a matter of fact, in the TV version, the opening “Gloria”, “The Ocean” and “11 O’Clock Tick Tock” have not been broadcast, and there are several fewer songs than the main press CD. Therefore, although the decision board is only the main press CD of FM broadcasting, it is still a video work that shows the persuasive power of “seeing is believing”.

U2 during the “October” era, full of ambition for success and hitting the limits of their youthful passion. It is a piece that you can enjoy the fresh appearance of U2 for about 40 minutes. It is a video version that greatly expands the image of the main press CD, and this work itself is also a valuable early U2 masterpiece. Please enjoy together.

本編プレスCDは、公式シングルにも採用されたサウンドボードの完全版であり、研究家監修による最高峰更新盤。まさに「オフィシャル代わり」となる絶対ライヴアルバムです。その解説でも触れましたが、このショウはFM放送だけでなくTV放送でも知られ、そのプロショット映像が定番となってきました。そこで、ライヴアルバム篇と映像篇のベスト・マスターを一挙にコレクトしていただけるようボーナス付属する事に致しました。
というわけで、本作が撮影されたのは本編プレスCDと同じ「1982年７月４日ロック・ウェルフテル公演」。そのマルチカメラ・プロショットです。前述の通り、古くから知られる定番映像の１つなのですが、本作はその最高峰マスターからDVD化されたもの。さすがにアナログ時代のエアチェックだけにデジタル大全盛の現代基準で「完全オフィシャル級！」と喧伝するわけにはいきませんが、当時基準なら全力で吠えられる。何よりも素晴らしいのはマスター鮮度。画素的にアナログ感は否めないものの、その一方でダビング痕や経年劣化がほとんど見当たらない。白線ノイズや走行ヨレの歪みも起きませんし、アナログ・ダビング特有のゴワゴワ感もないのです。
その威力を痛感するのは、大観衆のスペクタクル。U2は日の高い時刻の出演だったため、隅々までびっしりと詰まった野外の客席がしっかりと見える。そこに本作のマスター鮮度が加わると、観客１人ひとりの表情までクッキリ鮮やかに見渡せてしまう。その広くて細やかなスペクタクルが素晴らしいのです。
もちろん、そんな人の群れを目の当たりにして上気したボノの素顔も細やか。音声だけの本編プレスCDでも若々しい演奏や歌声が楽しめましたが、映像はその説得力が数十倍……いや、数百倍にハネ上がる。実のところ、TV版はオープニングの「Gloria」や「The Ocean」「11 O’Clock Tick Tock」が未放送で、本編プレスCDより数曲も少ない。そのため、決定盤はあくまでもFM放送の本編プレスCDの方なのですが、それでも「百聞は一見にしかず」の説得力を見せつける映像作品なのも確かなのです。

成功への野心に満ち、若々しい情熱の限りを叩きつけていた『OCTOBER』時代のU2。その瑞々しいU2の姿を約40分しっかり楽しめる１枚です。本編プレスCDのイメージを格段に広げてくれる映像篇であり、本作自体が貴重な初期U2の傑作でもある。どうぞ、合わせてじっくりとお楽しみください。

1. I Threw A Brick Through A Window
2. A Day Without Me
3. An Cat Dubh
4. Into The Heart
5. Rejoice
6. The Cry / The Electric Co.
7. I Fall Down
8. I Will Follow
9. Out Of Control
10. Fire

PRO-SHOT COLOUR NTSC Approx.40min