LIVE IN GDAńSK

David Gilmour - Live in the Gdansk shipyard. There are many versions of this recording available, of which I speak of the 5 LP set. This performance, featuring the late, great Richard Wright (Keyboards - R.I.P.), Guy Pratt (Bass) Steve DiStanislao (Drums), Phil Manzanera (Guitars), Jon Carin (Keyboards, Guitar) and Dick Parry (Sax/Keyboards) with backing from the Baltic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, highlights Gilmour's recent solo album, the beautiful 'On An Island', performed in its entirety, along with a surprising selection of PINK FLOYD songs, including a stellar version of 'Echoes', which breaks the 25 minute mark, and all-too-seldomly heard songs 'Fat Old Sun' and 'Wot's...Uh, the Deal?' Some of the bonus material includes odd live tracks from Venice (On The Turning Away, where the band sounds drunk, and David forgets his lyics - hmmm?), and Abbey Road (The Blue, and an 'acoustic' snippet of Echoes, which again sounds somewhat under-rehearsed, but interesting and rather intimate). Also we get 2 'Barn Jams', which are serene instrumental pieces of which I feel capture an air of early Pink Floyd spontaneity. Priceless. Richard Wright really shines with his Keyboard work. The songs from On An Island ooze along in a slick, liquid ecstacy kind of way - they are mostly slow, touching pieces which reflect an inner peace and profoundness, the perfect way to unwind and tune out from the hustle and bustle of hectic everyday life, the ultimate escape. Gilmour solo's with passion, confidence and joy, and it comes across. He is definately a soulful Guitarist, and he always hits the right notes. Another interesting aspect of this recording is that Richard Wright has dusted off his old Farfisa Organ, which not only adds a dash of nostalgia to tracks like Echoes, and, perhaps takes some of us back to Piper At The Gates Of Dawn with a storming version of Astronomy Domine, but such a unique sound requires the real thing (IMO), and is so refreshing to hear in the here and now. For me, I find this release to be a totally essential extravaganza, and recommend it to all. Another 5 star.