by Jeff

The day after...never too much fun, although I can take solace in the fact that I'm seeing another show in Buffalo next week. This was a very good performance and a excellent rock concert. The set list was shorter, and a little typical but very good. I was thrilled to hear Kite, Stay and Bad. Bono's energy seemed to fluctuate...very high at times, that's for sure. During the Fly, after "I've gotta go..." he did two laps (faster than during Streets, almost a sprint...no kidding) and then ran into the screen at the back where he froze in a "fly splattered on a wall" pose. Against the light of the screens he looked almost 2 dimensional. Very cool.
I hesitate to write what I'm about to, but I'm going to. Bono's voice was weak. I don't know what from, but in previous reviews I've noticed people comment on his strength. Not tonight. He couldn't do the high part of "In a Little While" (he let Edge give a shot, not bad), or "One" (at the end). "Bad" was half sung and "With Or Without You" was 1/3 sung, he whispered most of it. He MORE than made up with his great presence and showmanship, but after seeing U2 shows past it's apparent his voice has aged.
NEVERTHELESS, this was an amazing show. For those who haven't been yet: enjoy. The Fly is great, the guitar part is sweet. The crowd was great and Bono was happy about his new son and Bob Dylan's birthday. Don't get me wrong about Bono's voice, he can belt the parts when he needs to (Bad's "I'm wide awake!"), and he can do the oooh ooh of Elevation. It's that "Lemonesque" falsetto he can't really do...at least not last night. I'll review the show in Buffalo to see if he can do it then. Who know's? A few things are for sure: measuring Bono against his former self is not fair; U2 can truly elevate an audience. Tears to my eyes, honest. Enjoy.

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