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The U2 album October was released in October 1981 and explored a range of spiritual themes. Unsurprisingly, October received mixed reviews, and although it debuted at number 11 in the UK charts, it sold very poorly elsewhere. <br/><br/>In March 1982 U2 played 14 US dates as the opening act for the J. Geils Band. Disc 2 of this anthology is the famous broadcast The Ritz New York 18th March 1982, the band were in great shape as alive act but by the end of the October Tour the band had run out of money and felt abandoned by their record label. However soon U2 rallied and committed to producing a better album next time round.<br/><br/>From September to November 1982, the group recorded War at Windmill Lane Studios. The new album was very well received and during 1983 U2 embarked on the War Tour of Europe, the US, and Japan. Disc 1 is the re-energised U2 broadcasting live from the Orpheum Theatre Boston 6th May 1983.<br/> <br/>As their reputation grew the band began to play larger venues. Bono engaged the new audiences with theatrical antics, climbing scaffolding and lighting rigs and jumping into the audience. The sight of Bono waving a white flag during performances of Sunday Bloody Sunday became the tour's iconic image. The band played several dates at large European and American music festivals. Disc 3 is the legendary performance by U2 at the US Festival on Memorial Day weekend 1983 for an audience of 125,000 people.

7a Records is thrilled to be releasing the soundtrack to the brand new award winning documentary 'Being Frank - The Chris Sievey Story'. Frank Sidebottom was one of a kind, a surrealist, a performance artist, a grown man in his 30's who's mum didn't know he was a pop star. Frank was the alter ego of frustrated pop star Chris Sievey. Chris was a poet, musician and leader of cult group The Freshies. The band sniffed the faint aroma of chart success once with their indie classic 'I'm In Love With The Girl On A Certain Manchester Megastore Check Out Desk'. It's the greatest pop hit that never was. In an attempt to sell more Freshies records, Chris gave birth to Frank and went on to take over the world. 'Being Frank - The Chris Sievey Story' is a beautiful movie. The film features previously unseen footage, unheard performances and lost tracks, the best of which you get to hear on this album.