PINK FLOYD'S DAVID GILMOUR (VHS)

I was delighted to find this VHS tape of David Gilmour sometime ago in a bargain bin. What a treat! It features footage of a concert Gilmour performed at the Hammersmith Odeon in London during his 1984 European tour which started shortly after the release of his second solo album, About Face. He performs not only selections from his first two solo albums, but also includes performances of a couple Pink Floyd numbers (Run Like Hell and Comfortably Numb). In addition, Roy Harper performs guest vocals on Short and Sweet and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason performs on Comfortably Numb.

The concert is really, really low-tech compared to the large light shows Pink Floyd did. From what I understand, most of the venues Gilmour performed at were smaller "theater-like" places, unlike the big stadiums Floyd did. Nonetheless, the low-tech appearance does not distract from the music, all performed quite well, even the Pink Floyd numbers.

In addition to the concert footage, this VHS tape includes two music videos, one of Blue Light, the other of All Lovers Are Deranged. These are just plain silly. Gilmour looks really out of touch on these, especially with that 1980s attire. They also look like they were cheaply done. Remember, this was 1984, when music videos were in their infancy (maybe with the exception of Michael Jackson and later Peter Gabriel). Good for a few chuckles. Even so, I'm glad he included them rather than letting them sit accumulating dust in some hidden archive.

The last section of the tape is a documentary of the tour, about Gilmour's life after the Floyd, and his enjoyment of the success of the tour. Scenes include sound checks, interviews with Gilmour in a hotel room, the tour bus on the road, and some of the members of his touring band. This was nicely put together and is an excellent document for this short period in Gilmour's life.

This VHS tape by no means is essential in the grand scheme of prog rock things, but clearly is important for those of you who are interested in David Gilmour's work and life. Some Pink Floyd fans will also enjoy this. Three stars.

This concert video was recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, in 30-April-1984. Gilmour did a tour to promote his "About Face" album in 1984. His band included two former members of URIAH HEEP`s last line-up before their 1981 split (Chris Slade on drums and Greg Dechert on keyboards), plus guitarist Mick Ralphs (ex-member from the bands MOTT THE HOOPLE and BAD COMPANY in the seventies), bassist Mickey Feat, sax player Raff Ravenscroft (who also played in PINK FLOYD`s "The Final Cut" album, and also in Roger Waters` "The Pros and Cons of Hitch-Hiking"), percussionist Jody Linscott, plus guest appearances from Roy Harper in one song, and Nick Mason playing drums in "Comfortably Numb". The band sounds very well. Gilmour and his ensemble (as he introduces his band to the audience) played some songs from his solo albums "David Gilmour" and "About Face", plus two songs from PINK FLOYD`s "The Wall" album ("Run Like Hell" and "Comfortably Numb" ). Most of the songs from Gilmour`s albums were a bit Pop Rock oriented, but with very good guitar playing and sounds by Gilmour. He also sang very well. Harper sang along Gilmour in "Short and Sweet", a song he co-wrote with Gilmour. "All Lovers are Deranged" is a song from the "About Face" album which Gilmour co-wrote with Peter Townshend, then former member of THE WHO. Gilmour also let play some guitar solos to Mick Ralphs, particularly in "Murder".

It seems that both Nick Mason and Rick Wright attended this concert but only Mason played with Gilmour in "Comfortably Numb".

There is also a documentary titled "Beyond the Floyd" which includes interviews with Gilmour, Harper, Mason, some members of his band and with members of his road crew. In the interviews Gilmour recognizes being somewhat nervous about doing a solo tour for the first time in his career. But anyway he looks very confident playing, singing and talking to the audience during the concerts.

There are also two promotional videos for two songs from his "About Face" album ("Blue Light" and "All Lovers are Deranged"), very "eighties fad" in style.

This video was only released in the U.S. but not in Europe due to apparent "lack of commercial interest". In fact, the 1984 tour was not a long tour but the "About Face" album had some success in the U.S. and in the U.K.