THE WALL LIVE IN BERLIN

Well...the nitpickers (and that often involves me) could have a field day with The Wall Live in Berlin.

As one of those who just had to have everything Pink Floyd and their individual members put out, I obtained this just about as soon as I had enough cash to do so. And then I put it on...and much of it I just didn't enjoy much.

Fast-forward 15 years, and now I can let go some of my previous expectations and enjoy some of the pieces on here just as they are. And as others have noticed, when you can do this, you realize how big of a spectacle and production this was. It really has everything: gigantic puppets, the Scorpions rolling in on a limo (yep, the stage was THAT big!), Waters trashing a bedroom (in One of My Turns), and, of course, one enormous wall.

Although I would never buy any Joni Mitchell or Cindi Lauper music, I have to admit they are decent here, as are almost all the guests. (One exception: I will never, ever, appreciate anything Sinead O'Connor is involved with!) Overall, it's just a fun experience.

Unfortunately, the music is not great (both as performed, and as written in places). The orchestra is a bit much, as is the inclusion of so many guests. The best parts are ones in which you just see the piece as put on ten years earlier for the first live performances.

My highlight for the album lasts only about 15 seconds, but it's one of the most memorable live things I've seen (in person or on DVD): at the end of Another Brick...II, a guy dressed as the teacher (complete with three tufts of hair sticking up against a bald cranium) totally rocks a keytar solo. It's so ridiculously over-the-top that it's hilariously entertaining. Skip what you must, but don't miss this!

Overall, I'm moderately glad to have it in my collection (mostly to satisfy my Floyd completionist needs), but I rarely come back to it. Far from essential, but the best video of one of the greatest rock shows ever performed (even if I'd much rather have a DVD from the original Wall Live tour).

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