Angel Of Harlem
Front Sleeve
Angel Of Harlem
Back Sleeve
Release Date: December 1988
Highest Chart Position: UK: 9 USA: 14
Liner Notes:
Angel of Harlem (Remix): Words by Bono. Music by U2. Produced by Jimmy Iovine. Recorded by Cowboy Jack Celment and Dave Ferguson. Additional recording by Dave Tickle. Remixed by Shelly Yakus. Assisted by Rob Jacobs and Randy Wine. Organ by Joey Miskulin. Horns by the Memphis Horns. A Room at the Heartbreak Hotel: Words by Bono. Music by U2. Produced by Jimmy Iovine and U2. Recorded by Dave Tickle. Additional recording and brass by Paul Barrett. Assisted by Ian Bryan and Willie Mannion. Mixed by Paul Barrett. Backing Vocals: Maxine Waters and Julia Waters. Love Rescue Me (Live): Words by Bono and Bob Dylan. Music by U2. Produced by Jimmy Iovine. Recorded by Andy Rose on the Fleetwood Mobile, at the Smile Jamaica concert, Dominion Theatre, London, Sunday October 16th, 1988. Mixed by Dave Tickle. Guitar by Keith Richards. Vocals by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Horns by the Rumour Horns section. All proceeds from this song are donated to the Smile Jamaica Fund. Front Cover Photography: Colm Henry. Back Cover photo courtesy of Frank Driggs Collection. Designed by DZN, The Design Group.
Track List (7" Single):
- Angel Of Harlem (3:42)
- A Room At The Heartbreak Hotel (5:29)
Track List (12" Single):
- Angel Of Harlem (3:42)
- A Room At The Heartbreak Hotel (5:29)
- Love Rescue Me (5:20)
Catalog:
- Australia:
- 7": Island K 704 (IS 402) (Limited Release / Blue Vinyl / 1500 Copies)
- 12": Island / Festival X14672 (Red Vinyl / 500 Copies)
- Cassette: Island C704
- Brazil:
- 12": WEA 6WP.1005 (Promo with New Order on Side Two)
- Canada:
- 7": Island 97085
- 12": Island IS 1218
- Cassette: Island ISLC-97085
- France:
- 7": Island 111 920, Island IS 402 (Jukebox Promo)
- 12": Island 12 IS 402 (Test Pressing)
- Germany:
- 7": Island 111 920
- 12": Island 611 920
- CD: Island 661 920
- Italy:
- 7": Island IS402, Island / Dischi Ricordi JB 348 (Jukebox Promo)
- 12": Island 12ISX402
- Japan:
- 7": Island D07D-2035
- CD: Island P18D-20085, Island P10D30007 (3" CD)
- Philippines:
- 7": Island IS-88-8049
- Portugal:
- 7": Island IS402
- Spain:
- 7": Island 1A 111920
- 12": Island 3A 611920, Island A 106 773 (One Sided White Label Promo)
- Sweden:
- 7": Island IS 402
- 12": Island 12IS402
- UK:
- 7": Island IS 402
- 10": Island Acetate Townhouse (No PS)
- 12": Island 12IS402
- CD: Island CIDP 402
- USA:
- 7": Island 7-99254
- 12": Island 0-96590, Island DMD 1269 (White Label Promo)
- Cassette: Island 7-99254-4
- CD: Island PR 2559-2 (Promo), Island 2-96590 (3" CD)
Media Review:
Song Review: Angel of Harlem
By Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide
"Angel of Harlem" may be one of those rare U2 chart singles (Top 20, 1989) that despite its success remains underappreciated in its craftsmanship. "Angel of Harlem" came together at Sun Studios during a 1988 U.S. tour that was documented for the band's ill-fated Rattle and Hum film and album (combining live and studio tracks). "Angel of Harlem" opens with a chime of ringing guitars; the sound is traded in quickly for a Stax/ Volt-style horn section (played by the legendary Memphis Horns), giving the song an "authentic" Memphis soul flavor. The verses roll along lazily with the same sort of half-lidded nonchalance of its subject, jazz singer Billie Holiday. "Angel of Harlem" is quite specific in its references to "Lady Day," "Birdland," and 53rd St. and all that jazz, but on the choruses, Bono gives it his best soul shoutin', fist-pumpin, "yea-yea" and throws in some falsetto too. The band was criticized for its seemingly sudden interest in all things American during this period of its career; in fact, it was probably a bit unfair to so roundly criticize its efforts toward exploring traditional music. Though it's certainly not what the band does best, like the similar track "When Love Comes to Town" (with B.B. King, also recorded at Sun), "Angel of Harlem" is a valiant effort and wears well -- arguably much better than most of the band's early-'80s output. U2 reprised the song in an acoustic version on its 1997 Zoo TV that also states the case for its strength: only timeless songs can bear up to multiple interpretations and arrangements.
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