P-U-L-S-E

One of the few regrets I have in my musical life is to have never seen the Floyd on stage. I've seen them all in their vintage years (Genesis, Yes, ELP, Van Der Graaf, Led Zep, Purple, Sabbath, Santana, Tull - but much later for this one) but no Floyd on my agenda.

I could have done it during the "Animals" tour but I was not into prog any longer at the time. The second occasion was their "Pulse" tour. But the band played in one of the places that I really don't like: a huge field where 65.000 people can fit with muddy circumstances when it rains and a total and chaotic traffic situation before and after a show.

My cousin Marco was attending the Belgian leg of this tour and he told me that it was his best visual experience. Too bad for me?

I will only review the new parts which weren't available on the VHS tape released some fifteen years prior to this new and expanded version.

I first wanted to review this work for my 1,500th, then 2,000th review. Finally I did for this special 2,500th one.

One thing is for sure: the booklet (even if very short and not very informative) is useful in terms of navigation into the DVD. What I'm not really enthusiastic about are the "Screen Films" featured. The problem is that when you look at these (which is not very useful), you can't get back: you physically have to stop the play and go back and launch the DVD again or to watch the whole track. Same applies to "videos" part as well as

After this section, one can get hold of "Bootlegging The Bootleggers" which comprises of some unreleased tracks so far (although "What Do You Take From Me" was released on the audio version (1995). Taken out a French concert (since David is introducing the first song in French), it features fine light show effects and it covers the post Waters period which I consider quite worthwhile unlike the majority of PA reviewers. "Marooned" is pretty poignant and the visuals are so superb!

This is an excellent DVD which should sit in your collection (even if some parts as "Tour Stuff", "Videos" and "Screen Films" are not very useful. But they are considered as "features" on the main menu. So, let's not be too critical here. Still, there is a very funny pictures available during "Brain Damage". Most of influential politicians are featured while the lyrics mention "The lunatics are on the ground?": Thatcher, Major, Clinton, Reagan, Saddam, Arafat etc.

The alternate screen version for "Speak To Me" is also excellent and superior to the best known one. Maybe too scary and politically incorrect to show these pictures. The "Behind The Scenes" footage also offers an interesting angle on the tour. One really realizes the huge size of this project.

The "Hall Of Fame" ceremony is also quite moving. First of all, the words from Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) and then the ode to Syd "Whish You Were Here". Actually, Billy says it all: every time that we think of a dear who has passed, this song is such a fine remedy. I'm thinking very much at you Febus, my French prog friend.

One more thing: the great SOYCD which opens this DVD set is a unique visual representation. It is magical not only to listen but also to see it. This must have been indeed quite an experience to live. Needless to say that the whole of DSOTM is awesome and that "One Of These Days" is gorgeous. Did I mention that the version of "Us & Them" is memorable, that "Time" is sublime, but that I miss "Astronomy Domine"?

Five stars. A great Floydean experience.

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