Description
In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US $80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract in history. The following year, Bill Berry left the band, while Buck, Mills, and Stipe continued the group as a trio. Their first album without Berry, Up, gained some mixed responses. So when the band released their 12th studio album, Reveal, in May of 2001, it was a much more upbeat album. The band also did massive promotion work for that album to make sure they put the band back on everyone’s lips. April and May of 2001 was dedicated to appear as on as many TV stations they were welcomed at. After doing a lot of UK TV shows the band headed to Europe to do TV shows in Italy, France, Spain and first out was this show for MTV Sonic at Spazio Antologico Studio 76 in Milan, Italy on the 2nd of May 2001. While most other TV shows so far had been for about 30 minutes this one was more like a whole concerts were the band performed an approx 90 minute show. Michael Stipe was wearing a green shirt under a black suit and told everyone how glad it was to be back in Italy. This show was special for it was the first time they performed ll Take The Rain. There were also some technical difficulties so the band had to perform All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star) twice. After the show the band came out again for that second take of All The Way To Reno and unfortunately that version isnt on this disc. When they came out again and Michael said “we’re gonna play again All The Way To Reno that we played earlier, cause of technical difficulties, hope you’re ok with that” everyone agreed and it started well. However after some lines Michael looked towards Scott and started to laugh. He wasn’t able to stop! I have no idea of what Scott told him but they had to stop playing. He was trying to approach the microphone with a serious face but he couldn’t hold his laughter. He told us again that they had to play that song for technical difficulties; he was trying to convince himself more than us probably . Finally he made it, but he was still smiling when he began to sing. By the way, I think the first time sounded much better than this second take. Bonus material here is two tracks from the night after, when they performed at 125 Milioni Di Cazzate in Rai Uno Studios in Milan and Imitation Of Life from Top Of The Pops, recorded at BBC 1 studios in London the 26th of April.
Track list:
1. Imitation Of Life
2. Losing My Religion
3. The Great Beyond
4. What’s The Frequency Kenneth?
5. Daysleeper
6. All The Way To Reno
7. The Lifting
8. I’ll Take The Rain
9. I’ve Been High
10. Man On The Moon
11. She Just Wants To Be
12. Imitation Of Life-Rai TV May 3rd 2001
13. Losing My Religion-Rai TV May 3rd 2001
14. Imitation Of Life-Top Of The Pops 26th of April 2001