CD 1& 2 : Oakland (CA) - June 19,1997.

Taper location: Section F12, Row A

Taper notes : I finally got the chance to transfer a few tapes I picked up during my last trip to the JEMS archive a couple of months ago.

This is the second night in Oakland Stadium. This master is very unlikely to have ever circulated and the quality is very good though it suffers, like many Popmart shows, from what is to my ears excessive audience noise, especially the persistent whistler. But if you take that away it is close and clear and fairly powerful.

Listening to the show again reminds me of what an odd point this was in U2's career. I don't love these shows, in part because I didn't love Pop. Not trying to start a debate here, but I see "Miami" (and its ATYCLB counterpart "New York") as one of the least compelling songs of the modern U2 era and pure filler on the album. Even their very titles suggest they are mere impressions and not songs. That being said, there's no debating the appeal of "Gone," "Please" and "Staring at the Sun." I'd also add that I would love to see U2 bring back "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" which works spectacularly in concert.

There is a JEMS master of the first night, too, but given that there are at least three other sources in wide circulation, I probably won't get to that.

Let me know what you think.

Butterking for JEMS