|   Roger Waters "In the Flesh" DVD review #848 | Troy
Apr 20, 2002 8:46 AM | | Finally got my grubby mitts on a copy of this thing.
Yeah, lots of typing about this disc already on this and other boards, but I'll try and add a few different impressions.
Overall, great stuff. This show was recorded within a week of when I saw this tour in June 2000, so the setlist and performance seemed identical. I was so dang far from the stage (about as far away as the establishing shots in the video) that I obviously missed a lot of this high class and stylish show.
What struck me at the time I saw the tour came back to me as I watched the DVD last nite; it took 4 different guitarists to replicate one Dave Gilmour! The guitar playing on this disc was tighter than the show I saw and the guitarists managed to pull off most of the solos with the same intensity and spirit that DG does. Snowy White's sustains were terriffic and his solo during "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" was awesome. I could have done without Doyle Bramhall 2's Jim Morrison suit, but the kid was great, especially vocally. The pedal steel was a bit too far forward in the mix, but I'll live. Andy Fairweather-Low seemed like he wasn't used enough, but his wild, plucked solo in "Money" was so "un-Pink" and strange that it more than made up for it, I loved it. The drummer also added a lot to the sound, playing with much more dynamics than the plodding Nick Mason.
I was especially taken with the simplicity of the show overall. The set was minimal (almost like a basement party room) and the lighting almost non-existant; very different approach for Pink Floydian type music. It really worked, letting the music carry the show. Also, the songs arrangements were quite interesting. Much more of a bluesy rock atmosphere ("Money" in particular) and there were decidedly western touches ("Wish You Were Here" and "Breathe") as well. This is progressive rock, but it's presented with a dynamic that makes it accessable to all fans of rock music. Waters nailed the feel of this show.
The track selection was pretty solid and it was good to hear stuff from The Wall that the other touring Pink Floyd circus doesn't play. I just dislike RWs solo work sooo much! Lyrically, some amazing stuff, but the music is too blues and gospel-y for my taste which makes the songs take on a self important and preachy tone that instantly turns me off. The best of the RW solo tracks was "The Bravery of being Out of Range", mainly because it rocked.
Yes, sometimes it felt a little . . . lazy and slow. The tongue in cheek poker game during "Dogs" only brought this forwad for us all to laugh about. Much of Pink Floyd's repertoir has this sorta languid, relaxed pace, so that didn't bother me as much as some other people.
4 stars, if you like Pink Floyd AT ALL, you NEED to see this. |
| Excellent Disc & Review | MasterCylinder
Apr 20, 2002 5:15 PM | | Could not agree more.
"The Wall" material is top-notch. |
| Agreed, this is a great DVD. | Slosh
Apr 21, 2002 4:55 AM | | The PCM track is 20bit/48kHz. If it only had the Dolby Digital track I probably would have passed. The video is killer as well. I believe it was originally shot using HDTV videotape and the anamorhic transfer looks great (if you can take advantage of it). None of this would matter if the performance wasn't there but it's nice to have both. And at nearly three hours you definitely get your twenty dollars worth. :-) I may even transfer this to CD-Rs to listen to in the car. Thanks to everyone for letting me know about this disc! |
| I've already said I love it but ....... | Les
Apr 22, 2002 12:48 AM | | it will be interesting to compare it to the 'Pulse' DVD which will be released later in the year.
RW was, as part of Floyd, responsible for some great stuff. His output since he left has been mixed. IMO the stronger stuff on 'Flesh' is the Floyd material - if only they would get back together.
Cheers
Les |
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