"War" - U2

Remastered Album (2008 Master)

Track Listing (Disc One):

Track Listing (Disc Two):

Background Information

On April 9, 2008, U2 announced that their first three albums would be reissued in newly remastered formats, complete with bonus content. This release took place on on July 21, 2008 throughout most of the world, with the North American release occurring the next day, on July 22. The albums were issued in four different formats, including a single CD, a 2CD version including a disc of rare tracks, an LP edition on 180g vinyl (main album only, no bonus tracks), and a digital release through outlets such as iTunes. In addition, the 2CD versions of each album were collected in a special box set that included a poster as well as room for the yet-to-be-released remastered CD/DVD edition of Under a Blood Red Sky. This box set was initially available exclusively through amazon.com in the USA, but was later made available through other outlets.

Like the other two remastered albums, the War reissue came in a plastic jewel case for the single disc version, while the 2CD edition was packaged in a hardbound book featuring the album cover art, with sleeves inside the front and back covers to house the discs. An outer slipcase, also displaying the iconic War cover image, provides a protective cover for the book. The back of the slipcase includes the full track list for both CDs.

The liner notes included with all versions feature an essay by Niall Stokes, a music journalist and the editor of Hot Press magazine. The single disc format includes a 24-page booklet with lyrics and photos in addition to the essay. The double CD increases the page count to 42, and adds liner notes by The Edge for many of the rare tracks included on the second disc.

The bonus material featured on the second disc featured many tracks which had been previously released on singles. These tracks included “Endless Deep,” which had been the b-side to “Two Hearts Beat As One” when it was released in March 1983, and “New Year’s Day (7” Single Edit),” which was issued as the first single from War in January of that same year. “Treasure (Whatever Happened to Pete the Chop?)” was the b-side to “New Year’s Day,” and also features on this rarities disc. Live tracks including “I Threw a Brick Through a Window/A Day Without Me” and “Fire” had also featured on some formats of the “New Year’s Day” single. Finally, several 12-inch versions, including “New Year’s Day (USA Remix),” and the “Long Mix,” “USA Remix,” and “Club Version” mixes of “Two Hearts Beat as One” were also included. This release finally cleared up the confusion over the names of these remixes of “Two Hearts Beat as One,” clearly designating the 5:43 mix as the “Club Version” and the 4:24 mix as the “USA Remix.” Earlier vinyl releases of the single sometimes mislabeled these tracks.

Previously unreleased tracks rounding out the rarities CD include two remixes of “New Year’s Day” by Ferry Corsten, the “Extended Vocal Mix” and the “Vocal Radio Mix.” Neither of these remixes come from the War era. Rather, they were commissioned in 1999 for possible release to commemorate the new millennium. However, those plans were scrapped, and so the Corsten remixes made their debut on the War reissue. Another previously unheard song on the disc is “Angels Too Tied to the Ground,” which was an unfinished track left over from the War sessions. The original recording was produced by Steve Lillywhite in 1982, and U2 entered the studio in May 2008 to add additional elements to the track, including new vocals from Bono. The Edge’s liner notes for the bonus tracks do not mention “Angels Too Tied to the Ground,” and in the UK, the song is not even included in the track list in the accompanying booklet. These factors suggest that this song was a last-minute addition to the package.

Liner Notes

Original Credits:

Bono: Vocal and Guitar. The Edge: Guitars, Piano, Lap Steel, Vocal (“Seconds”). Adam Clayton: Bass. Larry Mullen Jr: Drums & Percussion.
Electric Violin: Steve Wickham (“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “Drowning Man”) Trumpet: Kenny Fradley. Backing Vocals: Cheryl Poirier with Adriana Kaegi, Taryn Hagey, also Jessica Felton (“Surrender,” “Red Light”)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite except “The Refugee” produced by Bill Whelan (Mixed by Steve). Engineered by Paul Thomas. Assisted by Kevin Killen. U2 Management: Paul McGuinness. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland. Mastered by Gordon Vicary at The Town House, London.

2008 Edition:
Re-Mastering directed by The Edge.
Album Production Managers: Steve Matthews, Sally-Anne McKeown & Candida Bottaci. Research and Archive Analysis: Cheryl Engels, Partial Productions. Re-Mastering produced by Cheryl Engels, Partial Productions. Re-Mastering engineering by Arnie Acosta at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Mastering assistance by Scott Sedillo. Technical Support by Thomas “Beno” May. U2 Catalogue re-release Co-Ordinator: Nick Stewart & Associates.

Individual Tracks:
Endless Deep:
B-Side to “Sunday Bloody Sunday” 7” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” UK 7” Vinyl Single and Double Pack. Released in March 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Numbers: 105 330, IS 190 and ISD 109. Engineered by Kevin Maloney. Produced by U2 / St. Francis Xavier. Recorded and Mixed at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin.

Angels Too Tied to the Ground:
Previously Unreleased. From the “War” album sessions. Original recording produced by Steve Lillywhite. Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, 1982. Engineered by Paul Thomas. Additional recording May 2008.

New Year’s Day – 7” Single Edit
First single to be released from “War”. released on 7” vinyl by Island Records in January 1983. Also featured on the “New Year’s Day” 7” vinyl double pack (UWIP 6848) Produced by Steve Lillywhite. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin.

New Year’s Day (USA Remix):
Featured on 12” Vinyl in France and “Two Hearts Beat As One” UK 7” Vinyl Double Pack and 12” Vinyl. Released in March 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Numbers: 814 948-1, ISD 109 and 12IS 109. Remixed by Francois Kervorkian at Sigma Sound, NYC. Engineered by John Potoker. Produced by Steve Lillywhite.

New Year’s Day – Ferry Corsten – Extended Vocal Mix:
Previously Unreleased. Produced by Steve Lillywhite. Remixed by Ferry Corsten for Dance Therapy B.V.

New Year’s Day – Ferry Corsten – Vocal Radio Mix:
Previously Unreleased. Produced by Steve Lillywhite. Remixed by Ferry Corsten for Dance Therapy B.V.

Two Hearts Beat as One (Long Mix):
A-Side to 12” Promotional Vinyl. Released in the USA in March 1983. Catalogue Number: DMD 643. Engineered by Michael Hutchinson & Glenn Rosenstein. Remixed by Francois Kevorkian at Sigma Sound, NYC. Produced by Steve Lillywhite.

Two Hearts Beat as One (USA Remix):
Released on 7” Vinyl Double Pack and 12” Vinyl. Released in March 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue numbers: ISD 109 and 12 IS 109. remixed by Francois Kervorkian at Sigma Sound, NYC.

Two Hearts Beat as One (Club Version):
Featured on 12” Vinyl. Released in March 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Number: 12 IS 109. Engineered by Paul Thomas. Assisted by Kevin Killen. Produced and Mixed by Steve Lillywhite. Mixed at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin.

Treasure (Whatever Happened to Pete the Chop)
B-Side to “New Year’s Day” 7” and 12” Vinyl. Released in January 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Numbers: WIP 6848 and 12WIP 6848. Engineered by Paul Thomas. Produced by Steve Lillywhite. Recorded and Mixed at Windmill Lane Studios. Dublin.

I Threw a Brick Through a Window / A Day Without Me (Live from Werchter):
Recorded live from Werchter, Belgium, July 1982. Featured on the “New Year’s Day” 7” Vinyl Double Pack and 12” Vinyl. Released in January 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Numbers: UWIP 6848 and 12WIP 6848. Mixed by Steve Lillywhite. Assisted by Andy Lyden. Mixed at Island Studios, London.

Fire (Live from Werchter):
Recorded live from Werchter, Belgium, July 1982. Featured on the “New Year’s Day” 7” Vinyl Double Pack and 12” Vinyl. Released in January 1983 by Island Records. Catalogue Numbers: UWIP 6848 and 12WIP 6848. Mixed by Steve Lillywhite. Assisted by Andy Lyden. Mixed at Island Studios, London.

Artwork

Original Credits:
Boy Photograph: Ian Finlay. Band Photograph: Anton Corbijn.
Design RX

2008 Edition:
Cover design and Art Direction by Steve Averill.
Packaging design by Shaughn McGrath at Four5One Creative.
Additional Photography 2008 Edition: Anton Corbijn.
A Special Thanks to Peter Rowan.

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