DAVID GILMOUR IN CONCERT

WOOHOO, First review for this marvelous concert! And thanks to Progarchives for including this DVD in the database at my request. The packaging for the DVD is simple, yet classicly done by Storm Thorgerson. And the menus / subtitles / bonus features are top-notch, including 'extra' documentaries, behind-the-scenes and even a few 'rare' GILMOUR performances from the past.

First of all, this DVD was nothing at all what I expected when I first picked it up some years back. "Pleasantly surprised" does not properly describe my reaction after watching it, "mesmerized" would be more accurate. This concert has the feel of an "unplugged" show, even though it is not strictly acoustic. There are plenty of electric and even some slide guitar work to be heard here. A unique special bonus feature is something called 'Spare Digits' where the camera angle(s) focuses completely on Gilmour's fingers while he is playing. Guitar enthusiasts will marvel at the Gilmour 'at-home guitar lesson' thus provided.

Ironically enough for a 'solo' performance, GILMOUR doesn't play any of his 'solo' material (that meaning, nothing is played from his two official solo albums: "About Face" and his self-titled "David Gilmour"). He does however present some fantabulous versions of FLOYD standards, some new solo pieces, and most wonderfully two Syd Barrett covers ('Dominoes' and 'Terrapin'). Nostalgic moments at their best! You can definitely pick out the handful of hardcore fans in the audience who can actually recognize these BARRETT gems.

GILMOUR's acoustic remake of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' is untouchable here, and it's worth buying this DVD for this song alone! Much slower, more heartfelt, if that was ever thought to be possible...

RICK WRIGHT makes a guest appearance and GILMOUR inserts a touching guitar solo to WRIGHT's 'Breakthrough', which when you include the fact that WRIGHT is actually singing this tune, makes it sound completely different and superior than the studio version (from WRIGHT's "Broken China") where Sinead O'Connor sings the original.

The concert is actually a compilation of two night's worth of performances that GILMOUR played, and so you get two different versions of 'Comfortably Numb' with two different guests appearances to sing Roger Waters' parts. The thing is, both the performances (one by Bob Geldof, and the other by Robert Wyatt) are lacklustre at best.

Other noteworthy points about this DVD and its performances is the re-working that GILMOUR does on old favourites like 'Fat Old Sun' and 'WYWH'. His softer arrangements of "The Division Bell" era songs go over well, and as mentioned earlier his treatment of SYD BARRETT's tunes as well as his new solo work make this DVD a unique purchase. (i.e. there is enough 'new' stuff on here that you won't feel like you are just buying yet ANOTHER live FLOYD show)

A musical genius, a great back-up crew/band playing FLOYD and FLOYD-inspired songs in a small venue. What more can you ask for? 4/5 stars easily.