REMEMBER THAT NIGHT: LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

FIRST REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM

Last week I watched an one hour BBC concert of this happening, I was pleasantly surprised by the tracklist that includes both the entire new solo album On An Island as lots of classic Pink Floyd tracks and I was blown away by the lightshow, goose bumps! So when I read that David Gilmour had released a 2-DVD set from this concert, I decided to purchase it very quickly.

DVD-1: It starts with three DSOTM tracks, the crowd is euphoric and we can enjoy very strong renditions of Speak To Me, Breath and Time/Breathe Reprise, played by a tight and inspired band with many outstanding musicians like Phil Manzanera, Dick Parry and the multi-instrumentalist Jon Carin and supported by a wonderful and often awesome lightshow. Then David Gilmour announces that the band will play the entire new solo album On An Island, I have to say that on stage it sounds more dynamic and powerful than the (in my opinion) a bit too laidback studio album. I am delighted about This Is Heaven (bluesy climate with fiery guitar, lush Hammond organ by Rick Wright and an exciting lightshow), the catchy Take A Breath (propulsive with beautiful keyboard orchestrations and heavy guitar work) and the laser-drenched A Pockeful Of Stones (sensitive guitar and warm organ play). The second part of this concert features mainly classic Pink Floyd tracks and it gets an extra dimension because of the passing away of Syd Barrett last year: you can almost feel the emotion on stage during some tracks like Shine On Your Crazy Diamond (wonderful blue light, emotional guitar work, lush Hammond organ and moving contributions by the rock veterans David Crosby and Graham Nash) and especially Wish You Were Here, goose bumps and wet eyes! The solo classical guitar play in High Hopes is very beautiful and I also love the compelling guitar solo in the second part of Fat Old Sun. Very captivating are the renditions of Arnold Layne (with a standing ovation for 'Art-Rock veteran' David Bowie as guest singer and excellent play by Rick Wright with his Farfisa organ sound) and Comfortably Numb (compelling with a jaw-dropping sea of green lasers). But my absolute highlight is the classic magnum opus Echoes, what a 'killer version': exciting red light as a symbol for the lava, very dynamically filmed and especially outstanding work by the musicians like the interplay between Gilmour and Wright (swirling Hammond organ and psychedelic Farfisa organ), the super- compelling grand finale is visually accompanied by a sea of lasers, this is Prog Heaven!

DVD-2 contains 13 bonustracks including my favorite composition from the Syd Barrett era, Astronomy Domine (I miss Syd his voice but David his guitarwork is breathtaking with psychedelic overtones). From the 3 docu's, I prefer the captivating Island Jam 2007 featuring relaxed but inspired play by Gilmour and Wright on his Hammond organ, two old 'grey roof-pigeons' who play like young gods!

THIS IS A PROGROCK DOCUMENT, NOT TO BE MISSED!!

Where does one start? You know when Gilmour is going to release a DVD it will be of the highest standard because he is a perfectionist. The venue for this concert, The Royal Albert Hall offers a magnificent setting for Floyd sound. The photography is crystal clear and everything about the production is fitting for any Floyd enthusiast. David Crosby and Graham Nash are having the time of their lives and provide great backing vocals. The Carol Kennyon's and the like are not present here which is not a bad thing because Crosby and Nash, Carin etc provide ample backing vocals. Last but not least the most enjoyable aspect to watching this DVD is Disc 2 with all the European and USA highlights and seeing a rejuvenated Rick Wright having the time of his life too. Rick Wright truly has come out of his shell here as David Gilmour puts it and his enthusiasm is very infectious throughout the whole band, tour and crew. There is one part where they are celebrating RW's birthday and Gilmour offers a very sincere and affectionate affirmation of his strong relationship with Rick Wright. Roger Waters even bumps into Polly Samson and Gilmour on one of the touring sets and evrything is pretty relaxed, atmosphere wise.Peace at last....

Musically there are quite a few highlights, the best definitely ' Echoes', Gilmour and Wright in vintage form. ' On an Island' excellently delivered, ' The Blue' but it was great to see David Bowie doing ' Arnold Layne' and ' Comfortably Numb'. As Rick Wright said Bowie made them his own!! This comes highly recommended, more enjoyable than his previous DVD. Excellent value.

An excellent DVD for Pink Floyd Fans

This is one of the DVDs that got only one chance for me to see it and never played it twice. Nope, it's not that this DVD is bad or disappointing, but I fell like I'm getting bored seeing songs that I have heard so long and now being played again, even though in different versions, like legendary "Speak To Me", "Breathe", "Time" from a masterpiece Pink Floyd album "Dark Side of The Moon". Why Gilmour had to start his "solo" concert (even though Rick Wright was accompanying him at this show) with Pink Floyd songs? Well, I was almost throwing up when I watched this DVD at the first time when my order from Amazon arrived. I did not check the setlist prior to ordering the DVD but I was disappointed with the Pink Floyd tracks as opening of the show. To me, it seems like David Gilmour was not confident enough to do a concert with his own solo album.

I think, David Gilmour should learn a lot from Peter Gabriel who has never looked back on his glorious days with Genesis. See, how Peter has always done with his concert? None of Genesis tune was performed, at all! He was so confident about his solo albums even though he knew (I am pretty sure) that when he performed one of Genesis songs the crowd would be extremely happy and made the concert much more successful. But he did not do it. He stood very firm on his ability to present / perform his own makings through solo albums. I salute Peter Gabriel on this!

Let me put things into perspective. I know that most people praise this DVD by David Gilmour. But, have they ever thought that if Gilmour only played his music from his solo albums, would people still praise him? It's probably not. I am not saying that his solo albums are bad - not at all. But I think his charisma has been built around Pink Floyd. So, there must be plethora of good memories from the past that surround listeners experience watching this DVD. I would rather urge Mr Gilmour more to focus on his own work rather than living in the past. If he is doing so, he would not start his show with "Dark Side of The Moon" tracks. It shows his lack of confidence with his own work.

The concert DVD itself is actually fine and I think most people would not have any problems digesting the music and the show. For me personally, nothing is so compelling that I can draw a lesson from this DVD. In fact, I only played it once and no desire to replay the DVD. This will serve an excellent DVD for die hard fans of Pink Floyd.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

David comes home. And momentarily my displeasure with him lapses.

David has finally come home and even invited us in to take tea in a sense. For arguably the first time in his solo career it feels to me as if I can connect with a complete artist, free of the baggage of that history we all know about. Minus a few issues the critical side of me can't totally block out, there are moments here where DG breaks through the veneer like never before. Neither he nor Roger has ever reached the heights separately that they did together, something no Floyd fan would argue. But here David isn't shooting for that and because of that actually succeeds beautifully with this show. While there are the obligatory PF songs to placate the many there to see them, this DVD is not a "must for every Floyd fan" that many proclaim, it is a must for every DG fan and for any fan of progressive rock traditional. Some of the finest moments here do not occur on the most predictable classics, but in the less obvious spaces that David is working hardest to sell. What comes through are moments of incredible poignancy and passion, of sides of DG and even Wright that have long been either hidden or simply not pronounced. Moments where everything is shed and Cambridge shines through, boyhood is felt, confusion is revealed but so is relief and wisdom. Grief for a recently lost friend is shared. Emotions that may once have been kept hidden are let go. Glances of every color of his art seem to be touched on, and the fact that he stands there so emotionally open and so able to (finally) connect with many of us who have in the past questioned his post-Waters work (sometimes with good reason) is not just impressive but is really heartwarming to witness. That is what really makes this release so impressive to me. There is a moment in "A Pocketful of Stones" where David is delivering the most amazing vocal with his head way back and only Wright's keys behind him; the level of intimacy and effectiveness in that moment is right up there with something from Joni Mitchell's finest hour. I've never quite felt such a moment from solo Gilmour and on this emotional level you realize that this is really "progressive" for them. They are showing a side beyond past regurgitations of their glory days (as fun as they may be) that are spectacular and that more than legitimize this release as something beyond "another quasi-Floyd concert." I think he has taken serious care to make each song nearly the definitive version of his life, only he could say that, but it sure seemed that way to me.

The presentation could not be more perfect. The atmosphere was draped in a darkness which I really like, but with clean, sharp lights alternately breaking through sharply or bathing the band and audience is cloudy dreaminess; in both cases perfectly attuned to the music. And the colors and clarity of the lights are the best I've ever witnessed: rather than the sometimes cheesy flashing lights you might find at the corner strip club, these lights have the most amazing colors I can only describe with words like calming and pure. Everything looks great, and the editing is slow but crisp, assuring you never miss anything but not flashing all over like a movie car chase. Everything is captured in the best sound and visual imaginable. The near nuclear level lighting explosions during the climax of Echoes were really just unbelievable; I can't imagine the assault to the senses from the main floor.

Just a few minor criticisms I'll offer. The initial Dark Side material came off as clearly the low point to me. I agree with Gatot that the choice to perform this material was wrong and that given the direction of the show there could have been much more effective openers, something more obscure, less obvious, less safe. And performing a piecemeal, lower profile DSoTM is pointless after doing it correctly on Pulse. And while the valiant attempt to pull off Arnold Layne was certainly daring, I relish the thought that even the most professional musicians with all of their expensive equipment will never capture the pure essence of a young man named Syd, will never capture the wonder of that moment in time. On the other hand, the version of "Dark Globe" performed alone by David on acoustic was truly beautiful, almost a musical eulogy to a person for whom words don't suffice.

But set aside my criticisms and those of others and try this DVD. Dave's playing is jubilant; the leads on the majority of tracks are absolutely breathtaking. His voice has held up remarkably well over these years, something many of his contemporaries (not just Waters) sadly cannot say. Beyond just hitting notes his voice has that velvety, comforting warmth it had in his youth, just seasoned a bit more with time. The band's performance was very professional though clearly acting as backdrop for the Big Dog. Crosby and Nash offered some decent harmonies and Robert Wyatt's heartfelt solo was a very touching moment. As I mentioned, the material from his new album, performed in full, is quite strong. I haven't heard the studio version but here it was mostly very pleasing, emotionally engaging, and delivered with passion from everyone on the stage. And while delivering the concert-ending finale of his screaming Comfortably Numb guitar solo at a deafening roar, he allows a bit of humor to come through by showing something funny in the audience..I won't give it away but it was a message perhaps that he doesn't take himself too seriously!

This review is entirely a flash impression without many facts about the specifics of the songs or the boatload of extras on disc 2. Others will cover those in greater detail. Mainly I wanted to let other DG skeptics/cynics (like myself) that this is one you shouldn't skip, this is..different.in a good way. While I will always harbor some ill-will towards artistic decisions DG has made regarding the Floyd I have to acknowledge his resilience and the success of this fine moment. I can understand why some have given it 5 stars, though I will need repeated viewings over a few years to decide if I could proclaim it that. But it is not another piece of unnecessary middle-aged affluent-rock product that we should ignore. While it may be too mellow and long-winded in places for those seeking a real rock-show kick in the pants or cutting-edge wild prog, that's not what this one is intended for-let's face it, he's well into his 60s now. While we may never get to experience the excitement of the true PF together again you'll realize watching this that we don't need to. This was likely as good as it gets for the David fan, so hopefully we won't have to watch the Floyd legacy degraded by a half-hearted catty reunion and the hype it would bring. With this show Gilmour has left history a fine document to his past, which I appreciate. And hopefully David and Roger will sign off on the DVD release of a classic Floyd concert from the WYWH, Animals, or Wall tours. There must be a high quality video recording somewhere. I wish the two of them could finally get it to the fans who have waited long enough.

..oh yeah, one more thing. Shine On. Watching David deliver this vocal about his old friend Roger Barrett, I thought of what he said in an interview after Syd passed: "I now have this lasting regret that I was so obedient to the family's wishes not to disturb his peace. A few years ago my wife Polly said to me 'how would you feel if he dies?' I said, Regretful, probably. And I am. I should have gone down there, knocked on his door and said, Hey, let's go for a pint. Because we were friends. I can't see that seeing an old friend would have done any damage." Wow. All of us probably have someone we could say that about-under different circumstances of course. Perhaps that's what makes the sentiments of the song so powerful to the listener.

Nice to meet you David.

More pulse!

I must admit that I've never been a big Pink Floyd fan. In fact, I think that they are one of the most overrated bands on this site (and elsewhere). But this solo David Gilmour live DVD deserves all the praise it gets here on Prog Archives. This is indeed a high quality product!

The comparison with Pink Floyd's PULSE live DVD is very relevant as there are quite a few similarities between these two releases. Many of the same musicians were involved in both shows (including Floyd's Richard Wright) and many of the same songs were played in both sets (Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Coming Back To Life, High Hopes, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb and the Dark Side Of The Moon tracks were all included on the PULSE DVD as well), even the packaging and art work is very similar! The picture and sound quality is as perfect as it gets.

What then are the relevant differences between this and PULSE? Well, one difference is that Remember That Night has a much warmer and more organic sound. This is due to the more extensive use of acoustic guitars, lap steel guitar, grand piano, Hammond organ and male harmony vocals (by the band themselves and also on some songs by guests David Crosby and Graham Nash). This approach is also reflected in the songs chosen, with Gilmore's most recent solo album On An Island (performed in its entirety here) having a much warmer and more organic and acoustic, down to earth sound compared to most Pink Floyd material. And among the Pink Floyd songs played here we get things like the semi-acoustic Fat Old Sun which also has that warm, almost folky sound. This song is much better here than on the studio album Atom Heart Mother, on which it sounds rather boring in my opinion! Here it really comes to life and the second electric part of the song is really good.

The performance here is also much more personal and emotional compared to the PULSE show. The atmosphere on the stage is more personal, with Gilmour basically being surrounded by his best friends (with David Bowie and Robert Wyatt as guests plus the presence of Wright). The stage is smaller (but not the audience), bringing the musicians closer together and giving the show more of a band feeling, almost as if they were playing in a smaller club (even though it is in the enormous Royal Albert Hall). And most important of all, I think, the show is about the musicians and the music rather than things like huge video screens, inflatable pigs, aeroplanes flying across the auditorium crashing in the side of the stage and all of those (in my opinion exaggerated and unnecessary!) visual effects that can be seen on PULSE. Remember That Night is just about some very talented people playing their instruments with emotion and enthusiasm (only supported by some great lighting, lasers and a bit of smoke) and having fun on stage (and off stage too, as can be seen on the documentaries on the bonus disc).

For the Prog fan, I guess that the 20 minute plus Echoes is the most interesting moment in the show. I must say that this performance outshines the studio version by a wide margin. Indeed, all the songs on Remember That Night tend to outshine their original studio versions! These are then, in my opinion, the ultimate versions of most of these songs. I, for example, think it is great that we don't have to listen to the tedious On The Run part of Dark Side Of The Moon. And the choice of songs could hardly be bettered, even though one could have expected a couple of songs from David's previous two solo albums. The On An Island tracks are very good, but hardly exceptional. It really shows great confidence to perform the whole new album live.

David Bowie makes an excellent performance on Comfortably Numb. He really makes this song his own. And it's really great to see Bowie so fit (and extremely good-looking as always, I would like to look like that when I'm his age!). Arnold Layne, is just fun. The other guest is Robert Wyatt, an artist I don't know very well. His contribution here is very low key and he just plays a cornet solo. The extra material on the second disc is exactly like it should be; informative and entertaining - it really adds to the value of the product.

So, while I'm not really a big Pink Floyd fan, from this moment onwards I consider myself a David Gilmour fan. I like Gilmour's distinctive guitar sound and his vocals are really good as well (it really makes you wonder why Roger Waters ever was allowed near the microphone!), and he seems to be a very nice person as well (judging from the interviews on the bonus disc). I'm now officially converted to Gilmour-ism.

Though good, the weakest link lies in the On An Island tracks. They are not up to par with the rest. But this is still highly recommended and certainly my favourite Pink Floyd (related) product.

3.5 stars really!!!

AFAIK, this is to be the last release that Rick Wright played before his untimely passing away, so it was not without a certain shiver I took this DVD home from the library. While refusing to reform Floyd, (possibly avoiding some possible bad blood with Waters), Gilmour took care of Wright's envy of Floyd by taking him on the road while promoting his latest solo album, the very soporific On An Island, which makes the second bulk of the set list, after the Floyd material. And while the potential emotional charge is enormous (the stellar cast), the over-emphasis of such a mediocre album such OAI is not able to fulfil the promised excitement, precisely because of the boring sleep-inducing average songwriting. I was hoping that these would gain from getting a live exposition, but was cruelly deceived, despite some good Gilmourian solos.

Probably attracting more glances from the public than his role would allow him, Wright plays a very nice second fiddle, certainly more visible than Manzanera (despite hiding all the wayto the left stage), who is also playing second guitar to David. With the now-standard Dick Parry on sax (soon to be playing second sax behind David, since Gilmour made his coming out on Red Sky), other familiar names such as Pratt and Carin are regulars? After a first DSOTM run opening the concert, the set plunges in the OIA album with some moments of graces (the odd brilliant solo, the star-studded guest list) and some complete flops (some songs, David playing the banjo, even Wyatt's fine cornet solo during a boring song). Once in a while, one can ask himself if David really needs that many musicians on stage for the amount of decibels delivered and notes played. Soooo after an exciting start, the first set comes to a close with another snoozer and the intermission is a welcome wake-up call to fill the glasses.

The second set is almost entirely Floyd stuff and opens on the amazing Crazy Diamond, but unfortunately, it isn't that good, despite the return of Crosby and Nash on back up vocals and Dick's Parrytone sax solo, etc? If most Floyd tracks go down easy, Echoes is the real attention grabber, where both Rick and David probably had fun trading those lines at the end of part one. Played in its entirety and followed up with the track WYWH (how come Roy Harper didn't show up to this gig for a cigar?), the night finally gets emotional, but it's a little late, although the end with Bowie's appearance in the all-too obvious (but excellent) Comfortably Numb adds some more emotions. No encore, apparently.

The second disc gives us a bunch of other tracks at the same venue, but another day, and this includes an Arnold Layne with Wright singing for Barrett, a cool rockumentary about the tour, some of the tour's other dates extracts and plenty more "bonus stuff" that is not called as such. Certainly immensely more enjoyable than the previous Gilmour DVD (the acoustic tour), I seem to enjoy more the throw-it-all-in disc's first part rather than the concert disc, which has this huge

What a fantastic concert!

Since six or more years ago, my best friends and I use to make a Christmas gift-exchange night, normally I ask for things that have to do with music. Three years ago was not the exception because I asked for the (back then) newest David Gilmour DVD, and fortunately my wish came true. Since then, I've truly enjoyed it every single time I watch it.

The reasons are several. First of all, I am a Pink Floyd follower, so almost everything that has to do with them is guarantee to me, secondly, I am a Gilmour follower, I really love his style, the way he plays guitar and transmits things, and also, I like his voice. Then, the show offers both quantity and more important quality, so despite spending a lot of time watching it, it is worth it, believe me.

"Remember that Night: Live at the Royal Albert Hall" is a strong DVD where one can enjoy both, Gilmour and Floyd songs, with guest musicians and singers, a show played with all the heart and with so good vibes that the fan who is watching it can feel. The show is divided in two sections, the first starts with three songs from the Darkside of the Moon, in my opinion it was a clever decision to start with some well-known material in order to attract the audience. And then, the whole "On an Island" which had been just released, was played in its entirety.

An extraordinary line-up that Gilmour gathered can be appreciated here, starting of course with Rick Wright; some old time Floyd friends like Jon Carin, Dick Parry and Guy Pratt; the Roxy Music guy Phil Manzanera, and Steve DiStanislao on drums who played with Nash and Crosby. And speaking of them, David Crosby and Graham Nash supported Gilmour with their voices in the album itself, and now in this show, their first appearance can be seen in the "On an Island" track. In the same first part, Gilmour invited Robert Wyatt as a special guest for the "Then I Close My Eyes" song.

The second part of the show features better-known songs, starting with "Shine on you Crazy Diamond", and alternating classic songs from the different Floyd eras, I mean, you will enjoy to "Fat Old Sun" and immediately after to a couple of "Division Bell" tracks. The musicianship all over the concert is awesome, the sound is clean, and what the music shares and provokes to the listener is wonderful, I, as a watcher feel like being in the Royal Albert Hall itself, because the sound transports me there.

In my humble opinion, the best moment of this show is their performance of "Echoes". Goose bumps, tears and a big smile on my face appear where I watch this exquisite track. I wish I really saw it live but now it is almost impossible. What a track like this transmits you, is unbelievable, while the song sound my mind has gone to not only one, but several unknown worlds with distinctive features, atmospheres, nuances, images, colors, textures, etc. But well, I am not talking about a sole track, but the concert as a whole, I just wanted to share my favorite moment.

Crosby and Nash share the stage with Gilmour to perform a song of theirs: "Find the Cost of Freedom". And the last two songs have one awesome guest: David Bowie, whose voice gives a particular sound to a song like "Comfortably Numb".

The show is outstanding in my opinion, since the first moments if you let the music, it will catch you and won't let you go until the very end, so you better sit comfortable and enjoy this concert. The DVD has also extra and interesting features, such as bonus tracks like "Dark Globe" or "Wearing the Inside Out". Three documentaries including tour and studio footage that will complete this long trip with Gilmour, Absolutely enjoyable!

My final grade, five stars. Enjoy it!

David Gilmour excels on this incredible journey of his solo and Pink Floyd years.

Once in a while a concert performance is a special event that captures the essence of the past and marries the present with flawless execution. Gilmour somehow merges the past and present and throws in special guest artists and pulls it off. The DVD quality is outstanding as far as picture and sound quality is concerned. The sound is crisp and exceptional throughout. The guest artists are something to look forward to as they add that extra spice that is not experienced in other performances of these great songs. All the classic Pink Floyd songs are of the highest order, flawlessly performed and emotional. The lighting is rather subdued for the first part during the playing of Gilmour's entire "On An Island" album. I have not returned to this album often so to see it played live is rather endearing, as the songs sound better and more vibrant in the live arena.

The actual spectacle of lighting occurs in the awesome second half of the show especially during the mammoth epic 'Echoes'. The lighting consists of smoked troopers and a plethora of lasers igniting the Royal Albert. The effect is dazzling and makes this the highlight of the entire show. To see Richard Wright all in white playing behind Gilmour gives him a ghostly presence, all the more potent now that he is gone to the great gig in the sky in 2008, 2 years after this performance. Wright is an enigmatic performer and he sings on many occasions. This DVD is like a tribute to his genius and seeing him enjoying this music with Gilmour again is emotional. He would have one more occasion in Gdansk to perform with Gilmour in this kind of live setting

The other players are David Bowie who vocalises on 'Arnold Layne', a real shock to see it live after all those years and he does a great job and seems to be enjoying it. He also sings on 'Comfortably Numb' not such a great version here. Robert Wyatt makes the obligatory appearance now that he and Gilmour are in collaboration. He was okay and in any case it is nice to see him progging it out in his old age on 'Then I Close My Eyes'.

Crosby and Nash are here reprising their roles on the Gilmour Solo album, namely they contribute to 'On An Island', 'The Blue', and even better, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', as well as their own 'Find The Cost Of Freedom'. I liked hearing the "Division Bell" tracks, 'Coming Back To Life' and particularly the brilliant 'High Hopes', that is a milestone Pink Floyd track and is always so powerful on the live stage.

'Wish You Were Here' is of course a part of Gilmour and the version here is masterful as usual. The concert is long at over 2 and a half hours but it is a journey to immerse yourself in. Many times the crowd rise to their feet especially after 'Shine On' and 'Echoes', a well deserved ovation. I would say this 'Echoes' is as good if not better than the one played "Live In Gdansk". It is similar in length but seems to be more powerful in terms of the lighting and that ethereal whale song section. The band are patient and don't rush it making it such a rewarding immersing experience.

Disc Two is jam packed with special features including 3 interesting docos, and more importantly the 5 bonus songs from the Royal Albert Hall, 'Wot's... Uh The Deal', 'Dominoes', 'Wearing The Inside Out', 'Arnold Layne', and 'Comfortably Numb' again. There is also a short film from America's West Coast with some of the backstage footage shot by Richard Wright. The making of "On An Island" album is nice to see and there are live versions from it played in London's Mermaid Theatre 2006. I really liked seeing 'Astronomy Domine' recorded for the Live From Abbey Road television series. Other features include 'The Dark Globe' video, and promos for 'On An Island' and 'Smile'.

All in all it's another brick in the wall for Gilmour, a wall of releases and this is among his best. The DVD is packed with the most incredible music on the planet and is a must for Pink Floyd fans.