"The Bridge" - Cactus World News

Single

U2 Related Content:

The Bridge (Single Version) (3:50)
The Other Extreme (Single Version) (4:12)
Frontiers (Single Version) (4:54)

Background Information

“The Bridge” was the second single released on U2’s label, Mother Records. In 1985 Bono saw Cactus World News performing live, and enjoying what he saw, he offered the band to record a one-off single on U2’s new label, “Mother Records”. Further more, he asked the band if they would allow him to produce the track, something he hadn’t done before, but something he expressed interest in. The band agreed, and recorded three tracks for their first single with Mother Records. This single was “The Bridge” and it was backed with “The Other Extreme” on 7” and 12” and “Frontiers” on the 12” release. The single was recorded in Dublin at Windmill Lane between January and July 1985, and was released in November of that year. The single was released in the Steve Averill designed “Mother Records” sleeve and was the second single released on Mother Records.

The band would later go on to re-record “The Bridge” for inclusion on their 1986 album, “Urban Beaches”. It was also released as a single in 1986 by MCA, but this version did not include any input from Bono in studio, and was re-recorded by Chris Kimsey as producer. The new version of “The Bridge” which does not contain Bono as producer was released in a sleeve that featured one of the band members with a red sheet flowing in the wind.

The single featuring the version produced by Bono were released by Mother Records. The 7” vinyl release was released with the catalog number MUM 2. The single either came in a generic black sleeve, or a black sleeve with the title of the song and band name in red, with a red border, and the “Mother M” design. The 7” single featured “The Bridge” and “The Other Extreme”. Two versions of the 12” are known to exist, both with the catalog number 12 MUM 2. The first version came in a “Mother” black sleeve with the hole cut in the shape of the “Mother M” design, these are generally stickered along one side with the band name and the name of the single, these are printed on the back with the song lyrics and a photograph of the band. The other came in a generic black sleeve, and Island Records is listed on the label. In both cases the 12” recording featured all three tracks.

Although releasing many singles in the early 80s, only two singles were released on Mother Records which were produced by any member of U2, this single by Cactus World News, and the fourth single by the label, “Queen of No Heart” by The Operating Theatre.

The single “The Bridge” was included as bonus tracks on the 2001 remastering of the album “Urban Beaches” called “Urban Beaches 2001”. It was the first time these tracks produced by Bono were released on CD.

Liner Notes

The Bridge: Eoin McEvoy: Vocals and acoustic guitar. Wayne Sheehy: Drums, percussion, piano. Fergal MacAindris: Bass guitar. Frank Kearnes: Electric and acoustic guitar. Produced by Bono and Jon Kelly. Recorded by Kevin Moloney and mixed by Jon Kelly at Windmill Lane II, Dublin.

The Other Extreme: Eoin McEvoy: Vocals and acoustic guitar. Wayne Sheehy: Drums, percussion, piano. Fergal MacAindris: Bass guitar. Frank Kearnes: Electric and acoustic guitar. Produced by Bono and Jon Kelly. Recorded by Kevin Moloney and mixed by Jon Kelly at Windmill Lane II, Dublin.

Frontiers: Eoin McEvoy: Vocals and acoustic guitar. Wayne Sheehy: Drums, percussion, piano. Fergal MacAindris: Bass guitar. Frank Kearnes: Electric and acoustic guitar. Produced by Bono and Jon Kelly. Recorded by Kevin Moloney and mixed by Jon Kelly at Windmill Lane II, Dublin.

Recorded in Dublin at Windmill Lane Studios between Jan. and July ’85.

Artwork

Sleeve design Steve Averill For The Creative Dept. Ltd., Dublin
Published by Mother Music Ltd.

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