THE WALL LIVE IN BERLIN

If you want to see a spectacular live performance, this video suits you. This was a live performance by Roger Waters after he left the band delivering The Wall album in its entirety plus one new song "The Tide is Turning". On singing department, Roger Waters brought various artists from pop and rock scenes. I had a mixed feeling when the first time I saw this video in laser disc format. On one side I was really amazed with how spectacular the show was in terms of stage design and concept. The stage size was gigantic; I think it could accommodate fifty big trucks on stage. The backdrops were awesome. It was really excellent stage. But on the other side, musically I was not really happy with some songs that became very poppy especially those sung by pop singers like Cindy Lauper, Van Morisson, Paul Carrack or country singer Joni Mitchell. Those songs have lost their soul performed in this live performance.

The show was opened by the government official that welcome Waters and the band. Scorpions opened the music show with "In The Flesh?" in a rocking style - typical Scorpions. I would prefer Roger Waters and the band perform this opening because Scorpions performs this with no soul. The situation has even worsen when Scorpions played "lip sync" in "In The Flesh" (note: without question mark) in track 21, it's really bad. Their mimics did not sync with the music and this has created a terrible look.

Other artists like Joni Mitchell, Van Morison, Paul Carrack, Cindy Lauper, The Bands performed the singing but they all produce unsatisfactory result for my personal taste. The songs were getting worse compared to studio version. The part that I like most is when Bryan Adams and Roger Waters sung together under "Empty Spaces - Young Lust". Especially under high tone voice where the two gentlemen shout together at the end of the song "When I play my new guitar ." wow!! Great voice mannn!!!! I always repeat this track when I listen to the CD.

The other part that I like is when Roger Waters performed "Nobody Home - Vera". I like it very much. With the exception of Scorpions performing "In The Flesh" in lip-sync style, the rest of the songs after Vera is excellent. My all-time favorite songs as in the original THE WALL album was the last three songs "The Trial - Waiting for the Worms - Stop ". This trilogy is performed excellently!

Overall, I would say that this video features excellent performance, musically, by Roger Waters band. However, some singing parts by pop artist are really bad. They have deteriorated the quality of original album version. However, I still recommend this video for purchase mainly on the basis of spectacular show and Roger Waters performance, but not some of the singing part by various artists. Keep on proggin' ..!!

Progressively yours, GW