DAVID GILMOUR IN CONCERT

I can say with full honesty that of all of the concerts I have seen PINK FLOYD members give, this one heads my lists of the kind I would like most to be in the audience for. The only reason it doesn't get a 5 is because it's not perfect.

I could see how happy everyone was, at that concert...there was a clear electricity in the air. To me, that can make or break a concert--whether the artists are feeling their work. It was very clear to me how much everyone was enjoying what they were doing. That's very important to me. I think there is something special about a smaller venue. I liked how the DVD showed comments to the audience, to emphasize that connection.

GILMOUR was enjoying himself greatly. I think his audience comments show that, in addition to the playing itself (which is definitely a product of passion). And his voice was excellent. This really showed on "Je Croix Entendre Encore". There are three other individuals who deserve to be mentioned in this respect. One is Bob Geldof. I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm...note that funny dance at one point! All smiles...it's infectious! Plus, his singing wasn't too bad, either.

There was also the late but great MICHAEL KAMEN, in fine form and a radiantly cheery mood, doing the piano work...his performance on "High hopes" especially is noteworthy--and not just the piano work, but the oboe work as well. If you are interested in KAMEN, get this, definitely.

And, of course, there is RICK WRIGHT. Someone told me, right after attending the concert in person, that he had never seemed so happy as he did then. It was obvious to me he felt wonderful performing "Breakthrough", and I'm sure the audience's very warm reception helped out. He was so animated it was an absolute joy to watch. I think the band responded to him; that song was so full of passion from all who performed it--and I'm sure this has something to do with the lead singer (same kind of effect that makes the difference between the two Comfortably Numb's). I noted on the lyrics that come with the DVD, that the lyric change WRIGHT made is official. "You feel alive, your heart untied, and loved forevermore." I think, personally, that it suits the soaring nature of this version...perhaps "beatified" was appropriate for the languid voice of Sinead O'Connor, but not for the passionate singing of RICK WRIGHT--that was so alive that I can't think of any better word choice for that moment.

As if I had not already loved that album, based on this I would love to see the whole of RICK WRIGHT's Broken China performed in a similar sized venue--obviously it will need a little more on the technical side (and perhaps a bit more visually, given that the story does lend itself nicely to that), but I would think there'd be a way to keep it a small and intimate performance. Would be very nice. :-)

I very much liked the new arrangements. In my opinion, the highlights were: "Coming Back to Life", "High Hopes", "Comfortably Numb" with Bob Geldof (NOT the version ruined by Robert Wyatt!!!), the second part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (not the listless first), "Smile", and "Je Croix Entendre Encore". And, of course, the absolutely impeccable "Breakthrough". I cannot explain it--to me, "High Hopes" became even more than the studio album or PULSE! That does not mean any version of that song is bad at all--in fact there is no bad version of it. I really do love the sound of the choir there and in "Coming Back to Life" (which takes a very cool gospel feel to it, and having sung in a similar choir myself, I really enjoyed it).That second part of Shine On...that's just phenomenal, almost savage in the way it roars to life.

"Smile"...I am very happy for the inclusion of lyrics. That's such a neat, simple song, and I hope its folksy simplicity is preserved going into the studio, because that's what I love so much about it. That's the kind of song that can get stuck in your head for days--and you do not wish to chase it out! ;-)

Only a few "quibbles" to mention, and one of these is minor. One, on WYWH, I could hardly hear GILMOUR's voice during the part where he sings with the guitar; that could perhaps have been mixed a bit louder. The second...I'm afraid I will be skipping the first Comfortably Numb with Robert Wyatt; I didn't care for the singing, and I don't think the musicians responded to him nearly as well as they did to Geldof, so this version lacked the energy the second one did. Finally, the first part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"...no. You absolutely cannot do that song without a synth, especially with such a bland acoustic-only delivery. That just doesn't work...SOYCD was never meant to be a folk song. The second half is considerably more powerful and infinitely more enjoyable, although wanting for the synth and jazz jams that Rick Wright would have brought to the table.

I wished the audience, during the first SOYCD, would've been quieter--even though I don't care for that part of the song as much, that honestly struck me as rude, yelling out as often as they did. At one point, when the audience got loud, I saw GILMOUR smile at their antics...but I'm sure it was also very frustrating. :-( So please note that, all you future concert goers...this doesn't mean to not show enthusiasm, but I think there are appropriate times for it. An example of good audience behavior would be "Breakthrough". Wild applause at the beginning, of course, which I am sure was much appreciated. Except for one yell as the music got started, they're pretty quiet during the song, which I think is the respectful thing to do.

Here are a few non performance-related things that were interesting. I can't explain it exactly, but the colors on the stage are absolutely striking, and definitely inspired the menu art. Someone did a fantastic job with the lighting at RFH. I also thought the sound clips as you navigate the menus are just unearthly...very neat mixes and distortions.

This is definitely a good DVD, all around, even with my "quibbles"--I was definitely not disappointed...FAR from it! Hats off to GILMOUR and Company for this excellent production!