IN THE FLESH (DVD)

This DVD has already gained some warm reviews, but I'll add to it by saying that this is one of my favourite concert DVD's ever. It's percentually much more about the classic PINK FLOYD music than WATERS solo stuff which should please any Floyd fan. However I appreciate also the solo compositions featured here. Mostly they are from the great album Amused to Death (1992) which is usually considered the best Floyd-related solo album. The best tracks of it have a wonderful atmosphere and also visually they are deeply moving here, for example the starry night backing 'It's a Miracle', or the searchlight shooting in the dark at the start of 'Amused to Death', or video clip of the war veteran (whose voice is heard on the albums's beginning and ending).

The camera focuses on the band most of the time, occasionally the concert is coloured by some drama. The wide background wall is being used effectively even though videos are not as gorgeous as with the other camp... As for Roger himself, I have a growing sympathy towards him as the "real" "Pink" - that is, it's him that captures the emotional impact of Pink Floyd music most effectively. Gilmour's Floyd may have fancier backing videos, (not always so great, e.g. the world leaders on 'Brain Damage' - which detail I had to correct here as I thought it was here instead of P.U.L.S.E.) but they are notably more clinical as performers. And Roger only gets more charming while growing older. Well, the Barrett-lookalike guitarist is chewing gum continuosly and he looks a bit nervous, but the playing of the whole band is fine.

The playing list is very balanced and delicious, not too much of The Wall for example. And yes, 'Dogs' really is the ultimate highlight. Hats off to Jon Carin doing the lion's share on that track. 'Mother' is nicely intimate. See Roger's face at the line "mother should I trust the government?"! 'Set the Control for the Heart of the Sun' is a jewel from the 60's. Final Cut (1982) may not be among the best Pink Floyd albums (more like a Waters solo work actually), but still it's nicer to hear songs from it than Gilmour-led Floyd's Momentary Lapse of Reason, (1987) which is another reason I hold this DVD dearer than P.U.L.S.E.