P-U-L-S-E

Don't you think music is a contagious disease? I do. The reason I spin this cd was due to my experience the day before when I watched David Gilmour in Concert DVD. When David Gilmour played lap guitar during High Hopes, I suddenly remembered that this track was featured in PULSE live set. This live set was recorded during the band's tour between March to October 1994 from various stages in Europe and in the UK using Levoyageur II Mobile, produced by James Guthrie and David Gilmour. Original band members remained three without Roger Waters, backed with a lot of musicians who have become the band's regulars, like energetic bass player Guy Pratt, guitarist Tim Renwick, backing vocal Sam Brown, saxophonist Dick Parry, etc.

It's a joy enjoying this double CD set in its entirety last night while I was flipping the full colour 50-page wonderful booklet that accompany the set - of course with a cup of coffee. I turned the volume quite high to get the detailed sound perfectly. For a live recording, the sonic quality is great as it has sufficient bass sounds. Some variation of styles from the original studio version are the real treat that elevate my listening pleasure.

The album kicks off with Shine On You Crazy Diamond which I have a little regret because as there are at least three music bars truncated, i.e. exactly before David's vocal enters the music at the first time: "Remember when you're young .". The guitar solo before this lyrical part is truly stunning; unfortunately truncated. It has reduced my respect on this first track. Overall, the song was performed well and continued seamlessly to guitar driven Astronomy Domine in energetic fashion and followed with What Do You Want From Me (from the Division Bell album) where the music turns into a heavier blues influence style. Another three tracks coming from Division Bells album that follow: Learning to fly (5:06), Keep talking (6:56), Coming back to life (6:31) are also performed smoothly by the band.

The peak of enjoyment (for me) is when the album reaches track 9, Sorrow (10:30) where the band plays the music in floating style with firm drum beats. And also, as I said before that High hopes (7:48) is another highlight of the show. Composition-wise, it's a great track where it combines a smooth musical moves from opening to interlude part.

CD2 brings us to the performance of The Dark Side of The Moon which I find a bit of regret when the female voice of The Great Gig In The Sky was not performed to my expectation as it's worse than studio version. But overall performance of The DSotM is excellent. Wish you were here (5:40) with acoustic-guitar based music is another excellent track. The show concludes with two tracks from The Wall: Comfortably numb (9:10) and Run like hell (7:58).

Overall, I enjoy this live set very much. It's probably I have seen the laser disc (double discs) version of the show. It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours,

GW