Tree, And the Magic Numbers
- 4 Dec 07, 10:28 AM
Few people know where this particular joshua tree is. The standard assumption is that U2 shot their famous album cover in California, the same place where the body of country rocker had been half-cremated. But photographer Anton Corbijn suggests that the setting may actually have been Death Valley. Otherwise he’s keeping schtum. Having the actual tree in your back garden would be the ultimate fan trophy, hence the secrecy.
Also given the cyclical nature of U2’s career, I could see the band returning to the old location at some stage for another shoot. They constantly use their old material as touchstones for their new work, and during the Vertigo tour, it was ‘Boy’ that resonated between past and future. They never throw anything away. Everything is up for revision and reworking.
The band have just finished a major revamp of ‘The Joshua Tree’ in time for the 20th anniversary. The record holds up well, a benchmark for vast music with an intimate aspect. Acts like Editors, The Killers, Snow Patrol and many more have clearly studied the text.
The first CD version of the album was a disgrace, with a different cover shot and lifeless packaging. Happily all is restored this time, and there’s even a vinyl edition to please the audiophiles. I’ve just looked at my ancient copy and the gatefold sleeve is a monumental thing. Inside is the shot of U2 that Anton took with a Russian panoramic camera. The rotating lens was so wide that it actually revealed his camera bag, lying on the desert floor. And only the tree is in focus.
Anyway, the lyrics will always be a little preposterous, especially ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’. But Bono was working ahead of his capacity at this stage, and the charisma of the record is more effective than the parts.
Larry was very troubled after the photo session and the album title that suggested itself in the desert. Especially since their Dutch photographer pronounced the word as “yowshua”. How daft was that? When he got home, Larry glumly confided to his girlfriend, “I think we’ve just named our new record after a tree”.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight.
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I like the idea of never throwing anything away. That "everything is up for revision and reworking."
At least in terms of art.
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