The period that separates the dazzling debut of Cranberries with Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993) from the global affirmation dthe No Need to Argue (1994) was decisive for the consecration of the band. Riding the wave of the success of their first chart-topping album, which gave rise to the hits “Linger” and “Dreams”, the young Irish band played in an intimate and intimate atmosphere inside the legendary London Astoria II venue.
A recording of that performance that was thought lost has recently been found and will be published next August 28th, with the title Live at The London Astoria II, 1994. It will be available in multiple formats, including 2LP splatter Limited Edition, double black vinyl, CD and digitally.
“Playing at the Astoria was an overwhelming emotion, there was a palpable excitement” recalls the drummer Fergal Lawler. “We had returned from the US and had taken some time off for Christmas. This was our first concert back in London after having achieved so much success in America. We were happy to see some of our most passionate fans in front of the stage. We were proud to see that all our hard work had finally paid off.”
Fresh from a tour in the United States in support of their debut album, the Cranberries proposed a more essential show: nine songs, which would later be included in their second album No Need to Argue. There was also a unique performance of “Zombie.” Seven months later the single was released, reaching the top of the charts in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland and reaching #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States. Currently with over 1.8 billion views on YouTube, it remains one of the most played 90s songs worldwide.
Consisting of 15 live recordings, Live at The Astoria II, 1994 collects seven tracks from their debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? including “Pretty,” “Linger” and “Dreams,” and nine from the following album No Need to Argue, including “Dreaming My Dream,” “Daffodil Lament,” “Empty” and, of course, “Zombie.” It also includes two songs not included on the studio album: “Liar,” originally released in column soundtrack Empire Records (1995), and “So Cold In Ireland,” B-side of the single “Ode to My Family.”
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
