A Musical Walkback
Posted on June 25, 2008 Posted by John Scalzi 10 Comments
Robbie Robertson and U2:
Sweet Fire Of Love – Robbie Robertson
I remember playing this song for a kid in my college dorm who was absolutely insane for U2 and watching him go insane because a) he didn’t recognize the song instantly and b) that his heroes somehow managed to put out a song that he didn’t know about. After the song was done, he actually ran out of my room and went instantly to the record store to buy it for himself. Robbie Robertson had a cup of coffee on me that day, he did.
Love that song, but Robbie’s voice is a constant reminder as to why The Band generally featured anyone but Robbie doing the singing.
I saw u2 do this song live. No Robbie but it rocked. I remember listening to this song on the radio when they played it and liking it.
Great, great album, featuring Peter Gabriel, BoDeans too.
And that voice, while not smooth, has power and emotion at the very top of the game.
Go back and listen to “somewhere down the crazy river”
That’s a great album. Also, Robbie Robertson did the music for The Native Americans, that TNT documentary series, and there’s some excellent stuff on that soundtrack, as well. He’s been doing some really interesting work in the last few decades.
The whole album is awesome. “Somewhere Down the Crazy River” is my favorite track.
I’d take this album over any U2 album any day.
If you really want to drive your U2-loving friends insane, point them to this.
Dici che il fiume
Trova la via al mare…
Thanks for that, Mr. Scalzi. As a U2 fan from way-back, it’s nice to come across something I hadn’t heard before.
If you liked that, try Storyville, his New Orleans tribute album. In my opinion among his best work.
Scalzi-
The only reason I bought that Robbie Robertson CD back when was because it was produced by Daniel Lanois and I just loved Lanois’ Arcadie. oh, well there’s the fact it was Robbie Robertson.
I think I’ve listened to this about 30 times by now…. thanks so much Mr. Scalzi for posting this wondrous song forever linked with the memory of theater at my alma mater.